How receptive are pets to wearing costumes? Let’s take a look at the top three most popular companion animals in America and how they measure up when it’s time to dress up.
Dogs: Some dogs live for the limelight. They bask in attention and will proudly strut their stuff in the latest Halloween fashions. Many dog owners insist that their canine companions enjoy dressing up and look forward to it with great gusto. Of course, dogs that are accustomed to sporting sweaters and outerwear are far more likely to tolerate a costume when it’s go-time. On the other hand, a dog that has never been asked to wear clothing might not be so easygoing. Either way, make sure your pet is used to their costume well before Halloween. That way they won’t have to worry about the costume in addition to the extra stress the holiday can bring.
Cats: Cats generally are not fans of costumes. Certainly exceptions do exist…but there’s a reason we don’t see too many Kitty Costume Contests. Ferrets: One of the joys of ferret ownership is dressing up your fuzzy buddy. Some ferrets are much more tolerant of decoration and adornment than others. New ferret owners often marvel at pictures of ferrets in costume. “How do you get them to sit still like that so you can take a picture?” they ask. And that is exactly the trick, — to get them to sit still just long enough to take a picture because it’s likely they’ll wriggle out of the costume on the spot. But that’s all part of the fun!
Whether or not you decide to get your pet into the costume game this year, remember that Halloween can be a spooky time for furry companions.
Here are four tips to keep in mind for the witching hour:
- Keep your pet away from children running around in costumes. Anything that flaps, sparkles, wiggles or otherwise intimidates your pet is a cause for concern, because a spooked animal might run away or even nip.
- Keep candy out of pets’ reach.
- Make sure your pet’s costume is not restrictive. An ill-fitting costume could cause injury.
- Keep your pet safely inside.