RSPCA warns pet owners against dressing up animals this Halloween: spooky season advice for people in Sussex and beyond
The RSPCA is warning pet owners in Sussex and beyond that dressing up pets might be ‘more trick than treat’ this Halloween.
The animal welfare charity warned against the idea, saying that pets can find this uncomfortable or distressing.
But the RSPCA has shared some alternative ways to celebrate Halloween with pets.
Pet welfare expert Dr Jane Tyson said: “It’s absolutely understandable to want to involve your pets in your Halloween festivities. Our pets are an important part of our family and we naturally want to share the things we love with them, however, for many animals being put in clothing could be uncomfortable and even distressing. That’s why we’re keen to share more welfare-friendly ways of enjoying Spooky season with your pets.”
The RSPCA said its Animal Kindness Index found that six percent of pet owners have dressed up a pet for fashion or fun and shared it on social media, while a further three percent have used an animal to take part in an online video trend.
The RSPCA said it is concerned about the pet clothing and fashion accessory industry.
Dr Jane said: “The popularity of the ever-growing pet clothing industry raises some other concerns – not only from a welfare perspective; but on how society views sentient animals. Dressing them up in clothing often results in laughter and mockery which can belittle out animal friends and ignore their true intrinsic value and abilities.
“Clothing can also lead owners to view their pets as little humans. But thinking of animals as humans can blind us to their species-specific welfare needs. Treating pets like humans comes with the risk that owners may put them into situations which they enjoy, but their pets find stressful.”
The charity’s alternatives to dressing up pets this Halloween include:
Baking pumpkin dog biscuits.
Buying your pet a new game or Halloween-themed toy.
Cutting a hole in a box that’s big enough for you cat to enjoy and decorating it with your favourite Halloween character.
Creating a quiet space for your dog or cat with Halloween themed blankets.
Decorating pumpkins and putting some pet treats around them.
Dr Jane said: “There are of course some clear benefits for dogs wearing clothing in certain situations – to help keep them warm in cold weather, or to aid visibility at night during dog walks. However, any clothing needs to allow pets to behave normally so that they can go to the toilet, exercise, drink and eat. It should not restrict their hearing, sight or their ability to communicate.”