Jan. 14 marks National Dress Up Your Pet Day, a chance for pet owners to share photos of their furry friends all glammed up on social media. Maybe you want to reflect your Persian’s mischievous side by dressing them as a little devil–or perhaps your dalmatian deserves a cape to match their superhero personality. Whatever look you choose for your beloved animal, follow these pet care guidelines for costumes to uphold their comfort.

Do:

Make safety a priority.

Steer clear of outfits that limit your cat or dog’s vision or ability to eat or drink–meaning no masks. Make sure any clothing does not constrict their movement. Also, ensure there are no small removable parts they could choke on, like buttons. You don’t want the holiday ending in a pet care emergency.

Introduce costumes gradually.

Animals are used to moving around without any kind of clothing so they may need to time to adjust to their costume. Have them try it on a few days before Jan. 14 to let them get a feel for it. Leave it on for a few minutes to check that they can see and move as needed.

Don’t:

Ignore signs of discomfort.

Keep an eye out for indications your pet is not comfortable. They may bite, scratch, or paw at the costume, or rub against furniture to try and remove it. If you notice this behavior, remove whatever aspect of the outfit is bothering them.

Keep costumes on all day.

Instead of dedicating a full day to playing dress-up, plan on a maximum of one hour. Bring your furry friend to the groomers for some pet care pampering first–and then plan an informal photo shoot of them in their finest gear. This gives you great memories while maintaining their comfort.

Get your cat or dog looking their best for National Dress Up Your Pet Day with professional grooming services from Animal Care Center Of Fairfield in Ohio. This full-service veterinary clinic encompasses three different pet hospitals, which allows them to provide patients with access to cutting-edge technologies and a large team of experienced pet care professionals. They have extended doctor hours, sparing you emergency vet fees. Find out more about their grooming services online. To schedule an appointment before Jan. 14, call (513) 829-6621.