PET TALK: Happy Halloween Pet Parents!

This is the time we completely mortify our dogs and cats while we snap, squeeze, tie, and Velcro the adorable costumes on and torture them for our family picture album. 

As seen in this week’s Pet of the Week, Frodo is wearing his dragon Halloween costume!  Frodo’s Mom informed me she has been waiting three years since she bought it and is “so happy that she could finally put it on him since the weather has been cooler.”    

I thank you, Frodo’s Mom, for knowing and understanding that pet clothing increases the core body temperature of your pet.

A normal dog and cat’s temperature is 99.5 to102.5 degrees F.  

When you add the higher body core temperature with the walking, running, and excitement of Halloween, with the extra layers of costume material, your pet may go into hyperthermia.  

Your pet may suffer from heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heatstroke, or even sunstroke.

In your outdoor activities place special attention to the temperature, humidity, and inadequate wind ventilation in your Halloween parading.

Never have a costume that has boots or foot covering that does not allow the paws to sweat and breathe.

Our pet’s cool off by panting and sweating through their paws and paw pads. It is essential that you have good air flow.

Never choose a costume that will not fit into your pet’s lifestyle. As seen in last week’s Pet of the Week, we had a gorgeous lab named Georgia wearing her Batgirl costume.

I was impressed with the costume because it allowed Georgia’s freedom of movement and lack of foreign body mishaps.

Never leave your costumed pet unattended. We all know that accidents happen and I would hate to have your Halloween ruined because your dog or cat just ate something  that was not supposed to be eaten.

Again, my sincerest apology to Georgia’s family for the misprint of Georgia being called Duke in a Batman costume.  

Thank you for your sense of humor and graciousness. I will be checking my incoming mail for her story and picture.

– Charlotte