Halloween is is coming closer and some dogmoms are already looking for some cute
howl-o-ween costumes ;)
From the traditional hot dog costume to monsters, superheroes, and everything in between, it’s hard to resist picking up an outfit for your dog to wear.
But, here’s the age-old question…is it cruel to dress up your dog for Halloween?
Here are my thoughts…
First of all, every dog is different.
It all comes down to preference.
When you’re deciding whether to dress your dog in a costume, keep this analogy in mind.
If you put your dog in an outfit and his tail goes between his legs and he looks fearful, he clearly doesn’t enjoy it, so you should remove the costume.
So, how do you know for sure if your dog is stressed out and not happy to be in a costume? Here’s some easy-to-spot warning signs…
Warning Signs that Your Dog is Stressed Out Due to Being in a Costume
* Tail Between Legs—A tail between a dog’s legs is a definite sign that he is unhappy and stressed out.
* Panting—Heavy panting is a sign of anxiety and feeling stressed and is similar to having a panic attack. If your dog is panting and it’s not hot weather and your dog is not running around then think twice about if they are relaxed.
* Biting or Snapping—Even the friendliest, most well-behaved dog can quickly go from gentle and sweet to biting and snapping if he feels uncomfortable and stressed out.
* Being Unable to Move—Most dogs aren’t used to wearing clothes, which means a full body outfit can make them feel as if they are paralyzed. If your dog refuses to move while in a costume, he is stressed out.
* Chewing Costume/Rubbing on the Floor—Trying to take off a costume by chewing on it or running it off is a definite sign that your dog is not happy.
* Whining/Whimpering—Whining and whimpering is a dog’s equivalent to crying. If your dog is crying only while in a costume, clearly he is upset or distressed.
If you dog shows ANY of the signs listed above while in a costume, I advise that you remove him from the costume immediately.
However, if your dog doesn’t show any of the signs above, there’s a good chance that she really doesn’t mind being in a costume. If this is the case, there’s certainly nothing cruel about keeping her dressed up.
Just be sure to keep an eye on her behavior throughout the day as they wear the outfit.
If at any point the costume does become too much for her, please do the responsible thing and take it off immediately.
Safety Tips for Dog Halloween Costumes
Pay Attention to the Costume Material— It’s important to think about the types of materials your dog’s costume is made out of. If the material isn’t comfortable and you wouldn’t wear it, don’t put it on your dog.
Make Sure the Costume Fits Appropriately—A costume that is too snug will not only be uncomfortable, but can also cut of your dogs circulation. On the flip side, a costume that is too big puts your dog at risk for getting tangled up and slipping and falling. Make sure the costume you pick fits your pet comfortably.
Beware of beads, pom poms, and plastic—It’s natural that a dog will want to chew things off his costume if something is dangling off of it. Details like beads, googly eyes, and pom poms are cute, but can put your dog at a serious risk for choking if eaten. Give your dogs costume a once over for any choking hazards before you put it on your dog.
Be Mindful of Your Dog’s Body Temperature— It’s important to keep an eye on your dog to make sure he isn’t overheating. If you notice him panting heavily, remove the costume for a while to let him cool off.
Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Costume—Getting tangled, choking, overheating…there’s a lot of things that can go wrong if you leave your dog unattended in a costume.
Make Sure Your Dogs Eyes, Nose, and Mouth are Uncovered—The last thing you want to do is obstruct your dog’s airways or prevent him from being able to see where he’s going. Choose a costume that covers his body, not his face.
Less is More— I personally think less is more, and I think your dog will agree with me! Pick up a cute bandana or put a Halloween dog tag on his collar - this way if he gets spooked and runs off, they can be brought home safe as the tag mentions their home information.
Be Safe, Have Fun, and Be Mindful of Your Dog’s Needs
Do you dress your dogs up for Howloween ?
signed,
a 'Senior Dog' mom-O-Holic