Tips & Tricks for Dog Halloween Costumes

Dressing up our dogs for Halloween is certainly fun when we think about it. But aside from that, there are also responsibilities that come with it. According to ASPCA Animal Hospital, the most important thing to consider when dressing your pet up for Halloween is safety. As pet parents, we have to make sure our furbabies’ needs come first, that they feel comfortable & safe during Halloween, and are enjoying the night as much as we are.

In this article, we’ll go over the factors to consider in dressing up your furbaby and the pawfect things to add to your dog’s Halloween costume.

Watch out for signs of stress

Always be mindful of any signs of stress or anxiety from your furbaby. Even though we love dressing them up, some dogs just don’t like wearing Halloween costumes, especially if they’ve been forced to wear it and are not used to wearing any kind of clothing for a couple of hours.

If you notice that your furbaby is feeling anxious with their Minion costume (acts impatient, grouchy, restless, etc), do not force them to wear it. Maybe a yellow bowtie or a yellow bandana can be a comfortable option instead.

Stress and feeling of anxiety is a common sight during Halloween for pups. Your furbaby’s daily routine is suddenly altered with the hustle and bustle of all ongoing activities. One way of helping your furbaby stay calm on Halloween night is by providing calming supplements, like the ones from Pet Parents®.

Pet Parents® Dog Calming Supplements will help act as a calming aid for your furbaby during stressful situations. These supplements are made with Organic Hemp Extract that is jam-packed with holistic properties that promote calming and relaxation, helping your furbaby cope with external stresses, like that of the many monsters and screams they’ll see and hear throughout the night.

Stay comfortable

An itchy Halloween costume with extra-large beads, enormous hats, or a costume that’s too tight or too loose is no fun at all. Aside from your furbaby being bothered by all things they’re wearing, an ill-fitting costume won’t make your dog feel comfortable and they will definitely not enjoy trick or treating.

Note: While on the process of dressing up, try to give your furbaby Gnawtlers® if they are hesitant at first. These Gnawtlers® are antler chews that will help them get busy while you are dressing them up. These chews can also be given as a reward and can be associated with wearing a costume as a positive experience.

Keep it simple

According to the experts from Banfield Pet Hospital, it is best if you dress up your furbaby in a simple way as dressing them up in a full costume may be unnecessary, especially if they can’t tolerate it. But if your furbaby can bear wearing one, make sure it is comfortable and fits them just right- not too tight and not too loose. A tight costume may interfere with your furbaby’s breathing, may limit movements, and may cause sores. On the flip side, a loose costume may fall off and trip your dog. It’s always better to be safe.

Beware of choking hazards

Dogs are curious creatures, and research with their mouths. They tend to put whatever is in front of them in their mouth. Because of this, you should make sure that your dog’s Halloween costume does not contain any item that may cause choking hazards. Remove any buttons, sharp objects, studs, etc., that may easily be ingested by your furbaby.

Do not limit movements and senses

According to the Animal Humane Society, it is important that you ensure your furbaby’s costume does not limit their movements or their senses. Even with their Halloween costumes on, your dog must still be able to walk, run, roll over, jump, see, hear, eat (those yummy Halloween dog treats!), drink water, bark, and relieve themselves properly.

This is why Pet Parents® Washable Dog Diapers make a great addition to your dog’s Halloween costume. You can add these diapers to your furbaby’s costume so you won’t have any trouble whenever they decide to pee or poop during your night out.

What’s even better? Pet Parents® Washable Dog Diapers come in packs of three and in a variety of colors - Natural, Princess, and Black! This means you have a wide array of dog diapers that will definitely go well with your furbaby’s fairy or skeleton costume.

Display updated IDs

Halloween can be scary for your dog and in case your furbaby gets loose, the chances of them being returned to you are more likely if they are wearing identification tags, collars, or have microchips. Make sure that you keep these IDs always updated with your latest address and contact details. These will be of great help in case your furbaby gets lost during your night out or decides to go trick-or-treating on their own.

Other things to consider

• Your furbaby’s Halloween costume must be easy to put on and take off. Do not ever try to squeeze and force your dog into wearing their costume. Costumes must be easy to take off in a matter of seconds just in case something happens, but not too easy that your furbaby can take it off on their own. If it’s too easy to take off, your dog will probably be able to remove it, which could come in the way of their movements and breathing.
• Your furbaby’s costume must not cover their eyes and must not get in the way of their sight. When your dog cannot see properly, they will not be able to evaluate a situation or a circumstance well, which makes it even more stressful for them.
• Make sure your furbaby’s costume is of high quality and made from strong materials that can withstand running, rolling around, and jumping. A costume of lesser quality may get torn apart just before the night ends.
• You should always supervise your furbaby while they are wearing your costume and make sure from time to time that they are still happy, safe, and comfy in them.