January 14 is National Dress Up Your Pet Day, but as multitudes of pet lovers know, you don’t need an excuse – EVERY day is Dress Up Your Pet Day, right? Playing dress up is a fun celebration of you and your fur baby’s inner fashionista, where you style your pet in a fun costume or a festive sweater, a jaunty scarf, a sassy hat, and well, you get the picture.
While this is meant to be a silly, joyous holiday, there are safety precautions you should take any time you’re dressing up your pet. Here are some tips from the American Humane Society (AHS) to make sure it’s both fun and safe:
The costume must be safe and comfortble
Your pet’s costume should never restrict movement. They should be able to walk, bark, meow, see, and hear clearly. Watch for tripping hazards.
Make sure the costume is made of non-toxic materials
Avoid painting your pet’s costume with paint or cosmetics that could be harmful if ingested, and watch for any signs of allergies to the costume’s material.
Avoid potential choking hazards
Avoid small, dangling accessories, like sequins of beads, on the costume that can get chewed and swallowed.
Be aware of overheating
If your dog has thick coat, choose a lightweight costume to prevent overheating.
Limit usage of masks and shoes
Keeping your pet comfortable is the most important thing, and masks and shoes can be uncomfortable and restrictive. If your pet appears comfortable with wearing a mask or shoes, still limit how much time they spend wearing the accessories.
Allow your pet to get used to the outfit
First, allow your pet to sniff the costume until they’re comfortable, then offer tons of treats while your pet wears the costume for “practice.” This helps them associate the costume with positive experiences.
If your pet freezes when you put on the costume, coax them with treats or a feather toy, so they know they can move while wearing the outfit.
Watch for signs of stress
Cats and dogs communicate through body language, and costumes can mask that. If you’re going to an event with other animals, make sure you’re paying especially close attention to your pet’s body language. If your pet rejects the clothing, never force it.
Always supervise your costumed pet
To keep your pet safe, never leave them unsupervised while they’re wearing a costume. This way you can monitor your pet’s behavior and intervene quickly if they’re feeling uncomfortable, stressed, or in pain.
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