Newswire

Pet Fashion Is in This Halloween

Courtesy of PetSmart

Still deciding what your pet should be for Halloween? If you’re among the estimated 29 million people planning to dress up their pets this year, pumpkins, hot dogs and superheroes are among the most popular costume choices.

Survey results by the National Retail Federation has cats and bumblebees rounding out the top five most popular pet costumes for Halloween 2020. The results show that 10% of pet lovers will dress their animal in a pumpkin costume, while 6% will dress their cat or dog as a hot dog, 5% as a superhero and 3% of dogs will go as a cat.

Halloween may look a little different this year as people adjust their celebrations, but having a fun and safe time with your pet is completely possible, said Dr. Jennifer Freeman, a resident veterinarian at PetSmart.

“If you choose to celebrate Halloween by dressing up your pet this year, it’s important to carefully introduce costumes to your pet so they don’t get stressed,” said Freeman. “Begin by using simple accessories like a bandana instead of a full-fledged outfit. If they allow something simple, reward them with a treat and some praise, then gradually introduce additional costume items to put your pet at ease.”

She added that costumes should always allow full free movement so pets can walk, bark, meow, eat and drink without difficulty. Also, it’s important to ensure there aren’t any attached or accompanying accessories that are easy to chew and/or swallow.

Finally, it’s also a good idea to consider things like the weather. Because pets can overheat easily, make sure their clothing is not too bulky or heavy if the weather is warm. Watch for elastic features around the paw area and be certain there is enough room around the widest area of the chest. If a dog can easily trip over the legs, try another type of costume. If your pet looks uncomfortable, they probably are, so pay extra attention to your pet if/when around other pets, as it can be difficult to notice any discomfort if they’re wearing a costume.