Root for the Home Team
If you have extra gear lying around for your favorite band, sports team, or fandom, then consider having your pet don the attire for a simple costume that will showcase who you are rooting for loud and proud!
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Be mindful of too many layers as your pet can quickly overheat. Heavy panting is a sign that it’s time to take the costume off! Costumes should allow your pet to move normally, hear, see, and breathe.
Set it Up
For animals who are timid about wearing full gear or too small for traditional costumes, make a prop or a set that lets them shine! Just Ken is KENough and looking pawfectly pink in his custom Barbie box, while sweet little Bridgestone has his very own campsite created by our Animal Care team.
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Don’t force it! If wearing a costume is too much for your pet or they seem stressed or withdrawn in the outfit, skip the costume and try snuggling up on the couch for a scary movie marathon instead!
Use Your Skills
If you can crochet, knit, sew, or have another technical skill, then consider crafting something tailor-made. Crochet or knit hats are comfortable and can be made perfectly sized for your pet! There are many free and adorable patterns available online.
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Keep it simple! Don’t overdo the embellishments—small dangling, chewable pieces could be a choking hazard.
Celebrate the Hero in Your Life!
Our pets are our heroes! They give us enduring love and support 365 days a year, so consider adding a simple cape to let everyone know who your hero is. Pork Chop’s superpower was melting hearts as the Captain of Love!
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Don’t forget to add collars and tags, even to indoor-only animals, on Halloween night! Increased neighborhood traffic and noise can be stressful and spook even the most affable pets. Use pet gates or secure back rooms to create a cozy pet safe space—especially if you plan on opening the door for Trick or Treaters throughout the evening. If doorbells or knocking stresses out your pet, consider sitting outside to hand out candy.
Make it Personal
There are many ready-made, pet-friendly costumes available for purchase. Selecting one that matches your pet’s goofy, sweet, or bubbly personality will be an easy and fun way to showcase their inner spirit!
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Keep candy and treats out of the reach of your pet! Other common Halloween items to be mindful of: glow sticks, open flames, dry ice, and wires that might be enticing to pets who are curious or like to chew!
When in Doubt, Add a Tiny Hat
Our Behavior Modification team has learned that a well-placed, tiny hat is sure to charm! They have used tiny hats to entice adopters to take a look at some of the available animals in the program with winning success. A tiny hat could be just the thing that makes your pet shine on Halloween. Jef and Taki both found their new homes thanks in part to their adorable headshots!
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Have emergency numbers on hand! If you suspect that your pet has ingested something spooky-ookie, call our Community Veterinary Hospital at (503) 285-7722 or your local overnight emergency vet clinic as soon as possible.
For Purrrrrsnickety Felines
Many cats are not willing costume participants, but if your cat does tolerate a light wardrobe then ensure your costumed feline is always in view—don’t let them slink off still wearing their outfits or they might get caught or tangled.
Spooky Season Safety Tip: Consider keeping your free-range cat indoors as increased traffic and noise can lead to scaredy cats!
All Dressed Up & Nowhere to Go?
Join us at our dog-friendly Halloween soiree, Bowser’s Boo Bash, on Saturday Oct. 25! With costume contests for humans and dogs, this is the place for your pooch to get the well-deserved accolades their costume deserves.
