Cute kittenOn Saturday, October 29th, Stone Ridge Veterinary Medical Center will be hosting our 1st Annual Trunk Or Treat! Our pet costume contest, trick-or-treating, and fun games all start at 2 p.m., and we guarantee the two hours to follow will be a scream!

If you’re looking for a pet costume so you can join us for our big event – or you simply need some inspiration for the year’s scariest night – look no further. For the best dressed pets, we offer some memorable options.

Ready For My Close Up

Part of the fun at our Trunk or Treat  is our photo contest, a superb opportunity to showcase your pet’s festive duds. However, not all pet costumes are created equal. Whether you purchase one or make one yourself, the following safety guidelines should never be ignored:

  • When dressed up, your pet’s airways and vision should always remain open and clear. Masks are particularly difficult to pull off.
  • Make sure your pet’s normal movements are not restricted. He or she should be able to walk, run, go to the bathroom, etc. without any problems.
  • Any loose or dangling accessories should be removed to prevent entanglement or strangulation. Small pieces may fall (or be chewed) off and become choking hazards.
  • Reflective material attached to the costume or your pet’s collar can protect against poor visibility at night.
  • Your pet’s collar and ID tags should be easily seen, and your pet’s microchip information should be updated, if applicable.

I Saw the Sign!

Your pet may not be subtle about general costume and/or Halloween disatisfaction, and that makes it easy to meet his or her needs. However, signs of stress or anxiety may be masked or mistaken for something else. Keep a close eye on your pet’s breathing, behavior, and anxiety levels. Remove your pet’s costume, or provide a more relaxing environment, to ease any rising stress levels.

Alternative Pet Costumes

Bandanas, bowties, and bows can really add some personality when your pet refuses to wear a full costume. If your pet is mellow and accepting, it’s still a good idea to introduce the costume days in advance. Let your pet smell it and try it on to get used to the fabric and feel.

And the Winners Are (or Might Be…)

Many commercially available pet costumes are actually quite imaginative, but we relish the chance to see some original ones this Halloween. Some of our favorite pet costumes include:

  • Beetlejuice
  • Shark
  • Beanie Baby
  • Cookie Monster
  • Harry Potter
  • Hostess Cupcake
  • Up Pup
  • Unicorn
  • Pirate
  • Ewok
  • Star Wars Bantha Costume
  • Pup Pinata
  • Minion
  • Guardian Dog
  • Big Bad Wolf /Granny
  • Fearless Lion
  • Doggie Dino
  • UPS Delivery Dog

Get Ready to Boo!

Our veterinarians and staff are excited to see you and your pet this month at our 1st Annual Trunk or Treat! If we can help you prepare or answer questions about pet costumes, please feel free to contact us.

Happy Halloween!