Pet owners should reconsider dressing up their dogs this Halloween

We understand the temptation.

Spooky season is great craic for many reasons, but it can be a highly stressful time for your dog, and not just because of the constant bang of fireworks the moment that dusk falls. While the temptation to dress your dog up, whether that be to match your own costume, or giving them one of their own, is intense, Agria Petinsure have put together a list of reasons why that might not be the best idea. Many pet costumes are designed in standard sizes so naturally there's a good chance that it won't fit your dog and won't account for your specific pet's body shape, which can lead to discomfort, accidents, and even injuries. If the costume is too large, your cat or dog may slip and fall or get entangled in furniture, potentially causing harm to the pet. However if a costume is too small, it can restrict breathing and cause overheating, which can be especially dangerous for pet breeds with short noses, such as pugs, bulldogs, and persians. Signs of discomfort, such as scratching, attempts to remove the costume, or hesitance to move, should not be ignored. Halloween costumes can hinder your pet's movements, making it difficult for them to turn their heads, wag their tails, walk, or jump. These restrictions also impede their sensory abilities, including vision and hearing. Disguising your pet may make it challenging to recognise signs of anxiety or fear, potentially resulting in an unintended aggressive behavioural response.

Some costumes can pose severe hazards, including choking and ingestion risks; threads, pins, strings and buttons on costumes, if chewed off and ingested, can lead to intestinal obstruction, requiring emergency surgery which could prove expensive and is entirely avoidable.

This is not to say you can't enjoy spooky season with your pet, just always be sure to put their safety and well-being above everything else.

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