Charities warn against pet Halloween costumes
"Let's treat our dogs with kindness by letting them be dogs; no costumes or chemicals required." - Charlie Dobson, Dogs Trust.
Two pet welfare charities have united to warn people against putting Halloween costumes on their pets.
It comes as Dogs Trust research reveals that almost 20 per cent of owners regularly dress their pet up for a special occasion. The charity says that many of these owners were unaware that this could cause their pet distress.
Another survey found that one in five children, aged seven to 11, said that the most enjoyable part of owning a pet was dressing them up.
In a statement, the charities said that dogs could be sensitive and should not be treated as ‘fashion accessories’. They described how inappropriate costumes could prevent pets from expressing normal behaviours, which could lead to discomfort, irritation or dangerous overheating.
Dogs Trust has also warned against the use of cosmetics, such hair dye and nail varnish, on dogs. It says that these products often contain harsh chemicals which lead to chemical burns and skin irritation.
The charities suggest that practical winter wear items, such as coats and jumpers, are the only suitable clothing for dogs.
Charlie Dobson, senior veterinary surgeon at Dogs Trust said, “We know owners only want to include their furry family members in the Halloween fun, but what looks cute to us can be deeply uncomfortable for a dog. This spooky season, let’s treat our dogs with kindness by letting them be dogs; no costumes or chemicals required.”
Daniel Warren-Cummings, senior behaviour manager at Cats Protection added: “It’s important to remember that cats are sentient beings with their own needs and preferences. Many of the activities that we enjoy as humans are simply not transferable to cats.
"Halloween should be enjoyable for everyone, but our pets don't understand why they're being dressed up. If even a fraction of the estimated 3.1 million UK households that own both a cat and a dog put their pets in costumes, that's a huge number of animals potentially experiencing unnecessary stress, fear or discomfort.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
