Choosing the perfect Halloween costume for your dog

For me, nothing could be cuter than a dog in a Halloween costume. Here’s my advice for choosing a safe costume so that Halloween is a positive experience for both you and your pet.

The following recommendations will help you choose the right fabric, size, colour, fasteners, and other details that will help ensure your dog’s comfort and safety.

What to look out for

Choose a lightweight fabric according to your dog’s size that allows for easy movement.
Choose a colourful costume or one with reflective strips so that your dog is visible if you go out at night.
A smaller costume is preferable. There’s no point in choosing a massive costume that covers your dog’s entire body. The simpler the costume, the more your dog will be able to move around freely.
Opt for velcro fasteners or plastic loops like the ones on your dog’s collar or harness to safely and comfortably hold the costume in place. Avoid ties, which dogs will often chew on. Also, avoid zippers, which can get caught in the dog’s fur.
Buy a costume that you can touch beforehand. Although buying online is tempting, unless you have access to a clear description, it is preferable to be able to feel the fabric and examine the costume from every angle before buying it.
Keep in mind that many costumes provide an opening to attach a leash to a harness under the costume, which will allow you to walk with your dog safely.

Also read: Halloween: 10 key recommendations to keep your pet safe

What to avoid

Costumes that make noise should be avoided. It can be stressful for a dog to hear the sound of a bell on its body without knowing where it’s coming from.
Costumes that include a bulky hat or hood should be avoided, since they reduce your pet’s visibility.
Avoid costumes that have too many parts. Dogs that feel overwhelmed will be less cooperative when it comes to dressing up.
The costume should cover only the dog’s body. Be sure that your dog’s legs, tail and neck are always free. Otherwise, your dog won’t be able to move around comfortably and be aware of its body.

How long should my dog wear a costume?

To be honest, most of the time costumes are worn just long enough for a few souvenir photos to be taken. However, your pet can wear a costume longer if the previously mentioned recommendations for choosing a costume were taken into account. Keep an eye on your dog while it’s dressed up and remove the costume if the dog shows any signs of discomfort.

Every dog is different

Remember to take the specific animal into account when choosing a Halloween costume. Personally, I always consider the following when making my choice: the dog’s age, breed (and whether or not it’s a mixed breed) and personality.

Age

Some older dogs become less tolerant when wearing a costume. Conversely, puppies are often too interested in their costumes and are more likely to chew on it.

Breed

Take your dog’s morphology into account when choosing a costume.

Personality

It’s crucial to consider your dog’s personality when choosing a costume. If your pet becomes easily nervous or is extremely excitable, even the most carefully chosen costume could be difficult to wear.

Lastly, remember that it’s important to have fun with your dog while it’s wearing a costume, and that you’ll need your pet’s cooperation and consent to make dressing up a positive experience.