If Your Pets Could Talk, They'd Howl
ASPCA: Halloween costumes for pets not the greatest idea
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A contestant in the doggy costume contest. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Dogs and Cats come complete with a built-in wardrobe: soft, luxurious full-length coats. Their furry coats help regulate their temperatures. They are both stylish and functional.
And this is why animal welfare groups encourage people not to give into the Halloween urge to dress their beloved animals up in costumes, as in cats dressed as butterflies; dogs dressed as batman.
But if you just can't resist fixing Fido up in Halloween garb, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has some important advice for you:
- A costume should not constrict an animal's movement or hearing. It should not impede the animal's ability to breathe, bark or meow.
- Inspect your pet's costume and make sure it doesn't have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that it could choke on. Poor-fitting outfits can get twisted up on objects, causing possible injury.
- Make sure you pet is wearing an identification tag with its costume, just incase it freaks out over the whole affair and runs away.
- Never take your eyes off your pet when it has a costume on. Keep it supervised at all times.
- And, you should try the costume on the pet before the big event. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go "au natural."
The ASPCA also has advice regarding some other Halloween traditions.
- Don't leave candy sitting around in bowls where your pets can grab it. The sugar and chocolate can be very dangerous for them.
- Also, watch out for candy wrappers. They may be tempted to eat those, too.
- And, beware of decorations like lights and especially candles. Curious or rambunctious animals could knock those over, starting a fire.
Remember, what seems like fun to you, may be very scary for your pets. And, even though it's Halloween, that kind of scary is not a good thing.
