Doggy Halloween Costumes for the Responsible Owner
With Halloween approaching, many of us are beginning to think about what our costumes will be for this year. As for all the crazed dog owners like myself, we are beginning to think about what our our dog’s Halloween costume will be. While these costumes are completely adorable, I would like to take a moment to remind dog owners that we should keep our dogs’ best interest in mind when picking one out.
Even though your dog may look super cute in his costume it is easy to tell that he is not such a fan of it. This article on a Mercola pet health website explains some of the reason why your dog is so unhappy with his outfit and will often not want to walk around in it or will try to remove it.
One of the reasons your dog hates being put in costume is because of his/her body temperature. The article argues that your dog is already in a costume 24/7 called it’s fur. Putting more layers on him may raise his temperature to an uncomfortable level. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. When putting your pup in a costume you should always carefully monitor his/her temperature and make sure it is not too high for comfort.
Another thing you should look out for is if the costume fits correctly. If the costume is too big or too small it may be rubbing your pup the wrong way, which is not only uncomfortable but could be dangerous. If he is too restricted he will not be able to adjust himself if he is uncomfortable. The author of the Mercola article describes a situation where a bumble bee headband caused a corneal abrasion (scratched eye) because he was unable to move it away when it slipped forward due to the costume being too tight. Always try on the costume and make sure it fits, just like you would for your own costume!
If a dog is uncomfortable they also may try to remove the costume themselves. This is very common and I have seen my dog try to do it when I put her in a t shirt. It is important to keep a close eye on your dog when they are in costume and doing this because many costumes have small buttons and bows that could be swallowed and result in choking or internal injuries.
Since your pup does not have the ability to tell you whether or not they are comfortable in their Halloween costume, as responsible owners we should always monitor their behavior and try to read their body language. If they seem nervous in their costume, you probably should not bring them into high stress situations and keep their time dressed up to a minimum.
Dog costumes are not in nature bad, but they could be if not used in a safe way. Maybe the best option this year is to remove the costume right after taking your cute Facebook photos. There are also more comfortable options such as a holiday themed collar or bandanna. If it is very cold out and your dog has short hair, a sweater may actually be a great choice! You should make the best decision for you and your pup, and make sure to give your trick or treat buddy a few extra treats that night!
