Pumpkins, candy and scary disguises will soon invade our homes and gardens… But behind this popular festival hides often unknown risks for our four-legged companions.
Disguising your animals: a trend that is becoming commonplace
If since the end of the 90s, horrible pumpkins and witch costumes have been appearing in French homes, animal costumes are becoming more and more popular. In the United States, this practice is even tending to become commonplace: 20% of pet owners plan to disguise their companion for Halloween.
“It is part of several societal trends. Growing anthropomorphism leads many owners to consider their animals as true members of the family. Dressing them for a party amounts, for some, to prolonging this role of “child” or “full companion“, reveals a press release.
Without forgetting social networks which are considerably amplifying the phenomenon: on Instagram, the hashtag #dogsincostumes already brings together hundreds of thousands of publications, while on TikTok it has almost 48 million views, proof that this content generates strong virality.
Animal costumes: what are the risks?
Physical constraints, intense stress, loss of bearings, even injuries… Disguise is not innocent for a dog or a cat. Unlike us, animals do not understand the meaning of the celebration and cannot consent.
For them, wearing a bulky or noisy costume is above all a source of discomfort and anxiety with risks to their health:
- Impeded breathing: costumes tight around the neck or thorax;
- Reduced mobility: risk of falling or injury;
- Surplus heat: thick fabrics that can cause heatstroke;
- Behavioral stress: ears lying, panting, attempts to withdraw.
Without forgetting the danger of small accessories, easily ingested. “If disguising our animals remains a marginal practice in France, let us remember that it can harm their health and well-being,” recalls the press release.
For Halloween: just one word: let’s love our animals without fireworks!