With Halloween just around the corner, pet owners are thinking about how they can include their pet in the festivities.  There is a huge selection of pet costumes out there and there is no reason why your pet can’t join in on the fun! Follow the steps below when thinking about choosing the perfect Halloween costume for your pet.

Step 1: Think about your pet’s personality.  You’ll want the costume that you choose to reflect your pet’s unique characteristics and charm. If your pet is feminine and flirty, maybe a princess costume will do. If your pet is tough and feisty, dress him up like a biker.

Step 2: Consider the weather in your town at the time of Halloween. In warmer climates, you’ll want to consider that your pet might be uncomfortable if dressed in a heavy costume. If your pet has long hair and has difficulty getting rid of body heat, you’ll need to take that into consideration as well.

Step 3: Think about poop patrol. How will your pet be able to relieve himself in the costume you’ve chosen for him? If it’s going to be a messy prospect for either you or your pet, it’s not worth it!

Step 4: Safety first! Make sure the costume you choose is flame retardant. And while accessories to the costume may be cute, make sure they are not choking hazards for your pet. No part of the costume should be too restrictive or too tight either.

Step 5: Make sure the costume you purchase fits your pet well. If you are ordering it online or from a catalogue, pay special attention to measurements such as height and weight. Check the return policy just in case the costume doesn’t fit well and you want to return or exchange it.

Step 6: Have a dress rehearsal (or several dress rehearsals!) at home.  You’ll want to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween.  If he balks at the idea of being dressed up, try to get him to wear parts of the costume around the house until he is comfortable with the whole get up. 

With your costumed pet in tow, you are ready to trick or treat. Just remember, even though your pet is dressed for the occasion, he should never partake in the human treats that are offered on Halloween!

This article was provided by Pet Super Store, an online pet shop featuring dog doors and dog crates.