Pet Costumes: Are they a Good Idea?

Every year, men and women dress up their children and take them around the neighborhood to knock on doors and politely ask for some candy. Yet more and more pet owners are also dressing up their pets for the festive holiday. According to USA Today, pet Halloween costumes are expected to hit a record $370 million this year, which is a 20-percent year jump from last year. While the trend is growing, the Pet Advisory Board says that some pets hate being put in these bulky costumes. On the other hand, there are some dog breeds that don’t mind the get-up at all, and may even enjoy it.

If your pet tenses when you dress him or her up in a costume, chances are that the animal hates the constraining clothing. The Pet Advisory Board recommends that you do not dress up animals that tense and stay completely still when they are dressed up, because it can cause muscle stress as well as a mental trauma. If a dog responds relatively well to the pet costumes, then there is no reason to refrain from putting him or her in them. Still, veterinarians recommend that you only purchase costumes specifically made for our pet and make sure that they are not too tight.

Refrain from putting constrained head pieces on your dig as these can give your pet a headache. Be careful and cautious when putting any sort of costume on your pet and make sure that it will not get caught on a fence or tree if your animal is roaming around the yard. With careful attention as to what outfit you choose, you should be able to avoid adverse health effects of injuries that can be caused by constraining clothing.