Pets Wearing Costumes? Think Again. Many People En..

Pets wearing costumes? Think again.

Many people enjoy dressing their pets in costumes. This can be fun to observe and offers unique photo opportunities, but it’s important to consider what the experience is like for your pet.

Observe your pet’s reaction and do not dress them in costumes if they show obvious discomfort such as difficulty in moving, struggling to remove the costume or signs of anxiety such as panting. Alternatives to costumes that your dog might tolerate include a bandana or festive collar/harness. Avoid dressing cats up – most cats will not tolerate nor enjoy wearing any costume.

Even pets who appear calm when wearing a costume should be supervised closely at all times and should only wear their outfits for short periods. Remove the costume if your pet shows signs of distress, becomes entangled or experiences other problems. It is especially important that body costumes do not cause overheating, which can lead to heat stress, so avoid dressing your pet up during hot weather.

Wearing costumes can also impair an animal’s ability to communicate with their owners and with other animals. If you can’t read your pet’s behaviour due to a costume, this could make your pet feel anxious.

When selecting a costume, avoid any that pose potential health hazards. Examples of unsafe costumes are those that:

• cover your pet’s nose or mouth, restricting their breathing, eating or drinking

• cover their eyes, obscuring vision

• are too tightly fitted, causing overheating or distress

• are too loosely fitted, causing accidents or tripping

• prevent them from expressing normal behaviours such as walking, toileting or resting

• have dangling, sparkling or other attachments that pets can pull off and swallow, risking an obstruction or choking

• enclose the head

• contain sharp items such as safety pins that could cause accidental injury

Always remember, if you are unsure whether your pet tolerates wearing a costume or not, play it safe and avoid dressing your pet up.

Photo Credit: https://shopee.com.my/Pet-Costume-cat



Pets wearing costumes? Think again.
Many people enjoy dressing their pets in costumes. This can be fun to observe and offers unique photo opportunities, but it’s important to consider what the experience is like for your pet.

Observe your pet’s reaction and do not dress them in costumes if they show obvious discomfort such as difficulty in moving, struggling to remove the costume or signs of anxiety such as panting. Alternatives to costumes that your dog might tolerate include a bandana or festive collar/harness. Avoid dressing cats up – most cats will not tolerate nor enjoy wearing any costume.

Even pets who appear calm when wearing a costume should be supervised closely at all times and should only wear their outfits for short periods. Remove the costume if your pet shows signs of distress, becomes entangled or experiences other problems. It is especially important that body costumes do not cause overheating, which can lead to heat stress, so avoid dressing your pet up during hot weather.

Wearing costumes can also impair an animal’s ability to communicate with their owners and with other animals. If you can’t read your pet’s behaviour due to a costume, this could make your pet feel anxious.

When selecting a costume, avoid any that pose potential health hazards. Examples of unsafe costumes are those that:
• cover your pet’s nose or mouth, restricting their breathing, eating or drinking
• cover their eyes, obscuring vision
• are too tightly fitted, causing overheating or distress
• are too loosely fitted, causing accidents or tripping
• prevent them from expressing normal behaviours such as walking, toileting or resting
• have dangling, sparkling or other attachments that pets can pull off and swallow, risking an obstruction or choking
• enclose the head
• contain sharp items such as safety pins that could cause accidental injury

Always remember, if you are unsure whether your pet tolerates wearing a costume or not, play it safe and avoid dressing your pet up.

Photo Credit: https://shopee.com.my/Pet-Costume-cat

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SarawakSPCA/photos/a.10151839329759..

Tweet

SPCA Sarawak

The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that animals, as living creatures, have value beyond economic measurement, and are entitled to legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection. The Sarawak SPCA's mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of animals and as an enforcer of their rights; to provide for the well-being of the animals of the State of Sarawak who are abandoned, injured, subjected to unfair or cruel treatment, or otherwise in need; to cultivate in the people of our community an awareness of the animals whose world we share; to promote a bond of mutual assistance between people and animals; and to instill respect for and appreciation of all living things.

More Articles   |   Website