January 14, 2019, is National Dress Up Your Pet Day, which is a day to outfit your pet in something as adorable as they are. As you consider costume ideas, remember that your pet’s comfort and safety are important. Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind as you plan; you may also want to schedule pet grooming services, so your fuzzy family member looks its best before you start snapping photos.

Do:

Familiarize your pet with the outfit.

Give your cat or dog time to learn about its new outfit. Let the animal sniff it before laying the clothing across their back, so they can feel the fabric. If the outfit has several pieces, gradually introduce the animal to wearing the ensemble over a few days. For example, start with the main part of the outfit before adding booties or a small hat.

Ensure the costume fits.

The costume shouldn’t be too loose, as it could become a tripping hazard. Conversely, the ensemble should not restrict breathing. Do not cover eyes, ears, or mouth with pieces or parts, and ensure they can walk easily in their getup.

Avoid scented or chewable components.

Refrain from picking an outfit with lots of buttons, zippers, or other chewable parts that can become choking hazards. Your selected outfit should also be unscented, as cats and dogs have extremely strong senses of smell and would likely be irritated by scented clothing.

Don’t:

Ignore body language.

Stay aware of visual and verbal cues your pet gives you. If their ears are flat, they are hissing or growling, or scratching or wriggling out of the costume, they are in distress. While choosing a costume made for pets may alleviate their anxiety, some pets will not do well in clothing no matter what. Respect their boundaries, and do not force them into a costume if they can’t handle it well.

Forget to give your pet water.

Keep your pet hydrated since they will be wearing an extra layer and may become hot quickly. If you are taking your animal to an event, bring a collapsible travel bowl with you to provide water at any time.

Take off the collar and ID tags.

Keep the animal’s collar and ID tags on as another safety measure. Again, this is particularly important if you are bringing the animal to an event with other pets since it could get spooked and attempt to run away.

If you want to schedule pet grooming services before National Dress Up Your Pet Day, make an appointment with Golden Heart Boarding & Grooming. The North Pole, AK, pet grooming and boarding service is an appointment-only facility that grooms dogs of all breeds. Walk-in nail trimmings and cat grooming services are also available. Call (907) 488-6866 today to schedule your session, and visit the business online for more pet grooming service information. Like the Facebook page for additional pet care resources.