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<\/a><\/p>\nIt’s that time of year again, pets are worried and their humans are looking forward to it.\u00a0 Yes it is Halloween.<\/p>\n
And you may be asking yourself……TO COSTUME OR NOT TO COSTUME….That is the question.\u00a0 And it’s a good question to ask.<\/p>\n
Should you dress your pet up in a costume this year or not?<\/p>\n
Facts: According to the National Retail Federation, 15 percent of Americans plan to deck out their dogs and will spend nearly $370 million on costumes for pets this year (that’s $40 million more than 2011).<\/p>\n
Fact:\u00a0 Some of the cutest pet photos are of dogs dressed up in amazing costumes.<\/p>\n
Fact:\u00a0 The average pet owner buying a costume for their pet is expected to spend $79.82 this year.<\/p>\n
Fact:\u00a0 People love seeing pets in costumes.<\/p>\n
Fact:\u00a0 Many of pet owners like to dress their pets up for Halloween.<\/p>\n
However, like kids, there are some things to keep in mind before you decide to take the plunge and costume your pet.<\/p>\n
The first thing is whether your pet enjoys, or will even tolerate being dressed up.\u00a0 Some pets, dogs especially, love to be dressed up.\u00a0 I knew one dog that would pout unless her owner dressed her up with one of her favorite scarves before they went anywhere.\u00a0 Yes, she was a girl dog of course :).<\/p>\n
Some pets HATE it and some are traumatized by the whole ordeal.\u00a0 If your pet is one that just gets freaked or lies there in apathy, please don’t put them through having to wear a costume all day.\u00a0 Snap a few photos to share with friends if you must, then take the darn thing off them.<\/p>\n
But for the pets who enjoy all the fuss and excitement that goes with a costume, here are some suggestions in choosing one:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Make sure the costume is easy to put on and is relatively comfortable.\u00a0 Tight costumes that have to be pulled over your dog’s head will often get them anxious.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Avoid costumes that are too tight and restrictive.\u00a0 Make sure your pet can breathe OK, and the costume is not too hot for them.\u00a0 Heat exhaustion can be a real problem.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that your pet could chew on and choke.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 Make sure the costume doesn’t constrict your pet’s movement.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Pets need to go to the bathroom.\u00a0 Have a plan for how this will be accomplished without stressing your pet.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0 Make sure the costume doesn’t interfere with your pet’s vision and hearing.\u00a0 Costumes with goggles, ear muffs and masks can pose problems.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0 For best results, keep the costume simple.\u00a0 Better yet, why not go as a themed couple with you dressing up as a character and your pet being dressed in the same theme?<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0 Keep your costumed one under constant observation.\u00a0 Safely dressed up or not, there are just too many things that can quickly go wrong when your pet is in costume, and, like a little child, when you see they have had enough excitement for the day, get them out of their costume, take them home and put them to bed.<\/p>\n
Here are the 5 most popular Pet Halloween Costumes this season according to Wayfair, pet costume manufacturer:<\/p>\n
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