Though Halloween is a beloved holiday for people, many owners want their furry friend to take part in the festivities, too. Before you schedule cat or dog grooming to prepare your animal to look wonderful in their costume, consider how well they will do when wearing unfamiliar clothing. If your pet doesn’t mind dressing up, use these tips to keep them safe and happy while they parade around in costume.

Do:

Keep it simple.

Depending on the demeanor of your pet, they may startle easily or freeze up when placed into unfamiliar garments. If your pet isn’t accustomed to wearing clothing or costumes, keep it simple by dressing them only in bow ties or hats. They will be more comfortable this way.

Make sure it fits.

When you dress your cat or dog, it’s important for the costume to fit correctly. It should not be too big or too small; both cause discomfort. Your pet should be able to walk, jump, breathe, and do their business without a problem. Make sure no seams are digging into their underarms, too. It may help to schedule a cat or dog grooming session to remove excess hair for enhanced comfort.

Don’t:

Don’t force the costume.

Your cat or dog is a living breathing creature with emotions. They will let you know if they don’t want to participate in playing dress up. Dogs will lick their lips, yawn, pant heavily, shake, and pin back their ears when they’re anxious. Cats will growl, meow, flick their tails, and try to get away. If they exhibit these signs during their fitting, be kind and remove the costume. You can allow them to stay home or at pet boarding while you dress up alone and go trick-or-treating.  

Don’t leave them unattended.

While in costume, your pet is vulnerable. Left unattended, they could chew on costume parts, choke, or get tangled in the material and injure themselves. Watch your pet as long as they’re wearing their costume, and take it off as soon as they begin to appear anxious about their attire.

If you want your pet to look their best in their Halloween costume, schedule cat or dog grooming at Robinwood Kennel in Highland Heights, KY. If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, Joe, Carol, and Peggy will ensure they look fantastic for trick-or-treating or a local costume contest. If your dog or cat is anxious about all the excitement of the holiday, consider using their pet boarding services, which are available for both cats and dogs. Call (859) 781-2352 to schedule a cat or dog grooming appointment, and visit them online to learn more about their services and facilities, located only minutes away from Northern Kentucky University and about 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati.