Having an animal companion around is great. Beats living alone in an apartment whose spatial dimensions feel greater because of the loneliness factor. And that’s really the key reason here—not being alone.You know what kind of loneliness it also beats? Being a lone trick-or-treater out and about the neighborhood, rushing from house to house in hopes of coming back home with a bag full of sweets equivalent to 9,000 sugar rushes. But the pet will need a costume. A great one… wait, we have an idea[gestures to scroll down].This post may includeaffiliate links.
Having an animal companion around is great. Beats living alone in an apartment whose spatial dimensions feel greater because of the loneliness factor. And that’s really the key reason here—not being alone.
You know what kind of loneliness it also beats? Being a lone trick-or-treater out and about the neighborhood, rushing from house to house in hopes of coming back home with a bag full of sweets equivalent to 9,000 sugar rushes. But the pet will need a costume. A great one… wait, we have an idea[gestures to scroll down].
This post may includeaffiliate links.
We’ve already discussed Halloween as a celebration in another article of ours—one about Halloween-themed foods. It touches upon the origins of this celebration, which was a Celtic spiritual tradition with an emphasis on dressing up as part of a self-defense ritual of sorts. Let us explain…
So, to avoid becoming a tragic victim and ending up on a crime drama podcast, they would dress up as animals and monsters. Apparently, it was enough to deter any fairies who would otherwise kidnap them.Slowly but surely, the tradition kept being translated and revamped into what we know as Halloween today.
So, to avoid becoming a tragic victim and ending up on a crime drama podcast, they would dress up as animals and monsters. Apparently, it was enough to deter any fairies who would otherwise kidnap them.
Slowly but surely, the tradition kept being translated and revamped into what we know as Halloween today.
Naturally, costumes are one of the key staples of Halloween, so it was only a question of when someone would translate that concept to pets.And this is where we have to address the elephant in the room. Most consider dressing up pets inHalloween costumesas harmless fun. However, veterinarians are pointing out that costumes—even more so, accessorized ones—pose a risk to animals.
Naturally, costumes are one of the key staples of Halloween, so it was only a question of when someone would translate that concept to pets.
And this is where we have to address the elephant in the room. Most consider dressing up pets inHalloween costumesas harmless fun. However, veterinarians are pointing out that costumes—even more so, accessorized ones—pose a risk to animals.
At the very least, it’s important to understand that pets are not fashion accessories and using them for likes on social media is frowned upon.But besides that, an animal dressed up in a costume essentially puts them in danger of not being able to defend themselves in case of a predator. After all, the most common time for going trick or treating is at night, which only empowers wild animals on the prowl to strike.
At the very least, it’s important to understand that pets are not fashion accessories and using them for likes on social media is frowned upon.
But besides that, an animal dressed up in a costume essentially puts them in danger of not being able to defend themselves in case of a predator. After all, the most common time for going trick or treating is at night, which only empowers wild animals on the prowl to strike.
Another key point to note is that costumes don’t allow the pets to express their natural behaviors and use body language to communicate. On top of it all, it can mess with the pets’ body temperature regulation faculties and they might not be able to breathe properly, which goes double for some flat-faced breeds of dogs.
Pair all of the above with the fact that some pets just find Halloween stressful as is—excited kids, adults who look different, unfamiliar people buzzing the doorbell—and you get yourself a whole lot of pressure on the animal. And pressure is the last thing a lovely house pet is supposed to be experiencing.
So, PSA time, people:be reasonable and awareof how you dress up your beloved animal companions. For starters, make sure the costume, whatever it is, does not restrict the animal’s movement or functions—they should still be able to relieve themselves, move, see, hear, eat, drink and breathe. It goes without saying that if a pet starts squirming, that’s an immediatenoon the costume.
Make sure the costume doesn’t make the pet overheat. It goes double for dress-ups in summer, overweight or flat-faced pets.
Also, as mentioned previously, the clothing shouldn’t stifle the animal’s ability to communicate, so ears, tail, and other important parts should not be covered.
So, stay safe out there, be mindful of your pet (even if it is a pet rock) during Halloween and why not share your stories, tips or takes on Halloween costumes in the comment section below!
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We always call her Princess so we had to get her this cute little costume for Halloween.
She was not happy to be in that cloak.
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