With Halloween around the corner, you may already be planning your family’s costumes, including those for any furry friends in your household. When purchasing a Halloween costume for a pet, think about proper pet health practices before dressing your animal for the holiday. Here’s a short list of pet health do’s and don’ts to consider.

Do:

Carefully inspect the costume.

Examine the costume for any potential pet health hazards. Costumes with small buttons, for example, may pose a choking risk if they can be chewed off. Additionally, garments with loose or dangling strings may entangle your pet, causing falls or strangulation.

Get your pet acclimated to the outfit.

Instead of waiting for the big night to dress your pet, when crowds of trick-or-treaters are knocking on your door, put them in the costume for a few minutes each day in the weeks leading up to Halloween. You’ll help your pet not only adapt to the idea of the costume but also feel less stressed.

Don’t:

Limit your pet’s mobility.

Your pet should be able to move freely in the costume you choose. Ill-fitting costumes that are too small or intricate for your animal’s comfort may cause anxiety. In addition, costumes that restrict movement will make it difficult for pets to climb stairs, drink water, or eat food.

Force them to wear it.

If, after a few trial runs, your pet doesn’t want to wear the costume, don’t force them into it. They may become aggressive and growl, bark, or bite. They may also hurt themselves by trying to get out of it.

For quality pet health care for your companion animal, trust the professionals at Parker Animal Clinic in Clarksville, AR. Over the last 17 years, the veterinarians on staff have provided excellence in pet care, whether preventive or diagnostic. To learn more about this veterinary practice, visit their website, where you can also purchase medications and food at discounted prices. To schedule an appointment, call (479) 754-5656.