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With Halloween approaching, a veterinarian is urging pet owners to think twice before dressing their dogs and cats in costumes, warning that what looks like an adorable photo opportunity could actually be causing stress.
Dr. Kelly Hood, a veterinarian speaking on behalf of Pet Health Digest, says pets may show subtle signs of discomfort when dressed in costumes or made to pose for Halloween photos.
“The Halloween photo isn’t worth making your pet uncomfortable,” Hood said. “If your dog goes rigid, turns away or keeps trying to leave, put the camera down. You don’t need to wait for a growl or a snap to take those signals seriously.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) also cautions against dressing pets in costumes unless owners know their animals enjoy wearing them. Costumes should never restrict movement, vision, breathing or the ability to bark or meow.
According to Hood, signs of stress in dogs can include repeated lip licking, yawning, pulling their ears back, tucking their tails or suddenly freezing. Cats may crouch, flatten their ears, retreat or hide.
However, she cautioned that individual behaviors do not necessarily indicate distress and should be considered alongside an animal’s overall body language.
“A cat crouching in a costume with its ears flattened isn’t necessarily being patient,” Hood said. “And purring alone doesn’t always indicate a cat is happy.”
If a pet appears uncomfortable, Hood recommends ending the photo session, removing the costume and allowing the animal to retreat to a quiet space.
Costumes aren’t the only potential source of stress on Halloween. Repeated doorbell rings, unfamiliar visitors and children wearing masks can also overwhelm animals.
The ASPCA recommends keeping pets in a separate, comfortable room away from the front door during busy trick-or-treating hours, with familiar bedding, water and a place to hide.
“A pet that usually welcomes visitors may find a stream of masked strangers overwhelming,” Hood said. “They don’t have to greet every child at the door to be part of the family’s Halloween.”
For owners determined to include their pets in Halloween festivities, Hood suggests taking costume-free photographs or incorporating Halloween decorations into the background instead.
“Let your pet choose whether to approach and stay,” Hood said. “If getting the picture means preventing them from leaving, that is your cue to stop.”
Top: Puricel, wearing a beret and necktie, is dressed for a costume parade at the Pet Expo in Bucharest in March. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
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