The Halloween season is the one time of the year when being scared can actually be fun. And donning festive costumes isn’t just for adults and kids -- pets can join in on the fun, too. However, what is supposed to be an enjoyably scary and thrilling holiday, complete with funny dog costumes, can end up being a scary one for all the wrong reasons if you don’t ensure that your pet’s costume is safe. We wanted to share some safety tips to make sure that your pet doesn’t give you an unnecessary scare this October.

First, remember that your pet costume is designed to “scare” and entertain other people, not scare your dog. If your dog is showing any signs of anxiety or stress while donning your chosen costume, take it off. You can tell that your dog is not comfortable in its costume if it acts unhappy, annoyed, or impatient. One reason your dog might find a costume uncomfortable is that it is too heavy, which could cause your pet to become exhausted or overheated.

Double-check to ascertain that your chosen costume also does not have any choking hazards. Your pet might have issues if there are loose items around its neck that could become struck, such as bow ties, frills, or ribbons. Also, keep in mind that hanging pieces or beads may fall off and pose a choking hazard as well.

You also want to keep away from costumes that limit your pet’s senses or ability to move. Your dog should always be able to breathe, see, hear, eat, bark, drink, and go potty without difficulty.

We additionally suggest putting your dog in bright colors. For example, Furry Fur offers a range of bright costumes, such as the Clown Costume, the Turkey Costume, the Leprechaun Boy Costume, and even the Pink Hippo Costume. Bright colors will make it easier for other people or oncoming vehicles to spot your beloved pooch in the dark.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid putting too many clothing items on your pet at the same time, as this can be overwhelming for it. It’s also a wise idea to allow your pet to wear your chosen costume several times before Halloween night to get it comfortable with being in the outfit. In addition, use a short leash to keep your dog from straying too far from you, especially if you’ll be in an area with heavy trick-or-treater traffic or in a crowded/parade setting. One other tip we’d like to share is to display the right identification for your dog. A pet ID tag on dog collar will increase the likelihood that your dog will be returned to you if it gets loose somehow.

Overall, make sure that Man’s Best Friend is as comfortable as possible on Halloween. Watch out for floppy hats, swinging beads, or scratchy material that may bother your pet. The success of this year’s Halloween costume-wearing experience will certainly dictate how easily you can get your pet in a costume during future Halloween seasons.