Costumed Canines – How to Safely Dress Up Your Pup for Halloween
The time is almost here. You can feel it, can’t you? There’s a slight chill in the air, the moon is somehow looking spookier, and the scary movies are returning to all of your favorite streaming platforms. That’s right—it’s nearly Halloween!
As the creepiest, crawliest day of the year approaches, you may be brainstorming cute costumes to wear. Better yet, you may be scheming your furry friend’s paw-some disguise. Trust us, we’re here for the endless social media posts featuring dressed-up dogs and costumed canines!
Before you get carried away with your pup’s transformation, it’s important to refresh yourself on a few key things to consider this Halloween. After all, a stomachache should be the most of your worries, so keeping your dog safe while still enjoying a game of dress-up is vital!
Don’t Hide the Tag
When choosing a costume for your canine companion, look for one that allows their tag to be easily seen. While your pup will hopefully remain by your side throughout the night, it’s exceptionally important that their tag is visible in case they wander off or get lost.
Focus on Comfort
If your dog is not comfortable wearing costumes, Halloween is probably not the best time to convince them to wear one. With all of the excess stimulation the night is known for, making your pup uncomfortable with a costume will only add to their stress. Instead, maybe try outfitting them with a bandana!
If your dog is okay wearing costumes, make sure that the one you choose doesn’t interfere with their movement, eyes, or ears. Some costumes, while cute, can cause distress and even be dangerous if they irritate your pup’s sensitive areas or restrict their breathing in any way.
Incorporate Reflective Materials
A costume may be cute, but it can also be functional. By incorporating reflective materials into your dog’s costume, you improve their visibility, which is especially important when traversing dark streets. You may even want to add a light to their collar, so they are easy to spot!
On the other hand, making yourself easier to see can act as a sort of homing beacon for your dog. Ensuring they can see you will lower the risk of them wandering off or getting lost, helping you both get home safely together!
Keep it Indestructible
No, we’re not suggesting that you should dress your pup up as a superhero (although that would be adorable). When selecting a costume, make sure that your dog cannot easily remove parts from it. As you know, pups sometimes revel in destruction, often to their detriment.
If their costume features pieces that can fall off or otherwise fall into the jaws of your Halloween hound, it becomes a choking and digestive hazard. So, no matter how amazing a costume may be, avoid choosing it if it features risky, possibly ingestible parts!
Adult Supervision Required
Regardless of the costume you select for your pup this Halloween, the best way to ensure their safety is to remain vigilant. The holiday may be all fun, games, and sugar for you, but your dog may not feel the same. From flashing lights and spooky decorations to frightening masks and deadly candies, Halloween can be a little more daunting and a lot more dangerous for your dog.
By sticking together and providing the companionship and watchful eye that your pup needs, you can ensure that you both enjoy the spookiest time of the year together. After all, that’s what holidays are all about—making memories with the ones you love!
With that in mind, we leave you with our own special rendition of the well-known Halloween poem. Enjoy!
Trick or Treat, smell my paws
give me a yummy bone to gnaw
if you don’t, I don’t care
I’ll follow my human anywhere!
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