10 Amazing Halloween Costumes (for dogs) Here are the 10 best Halloween costumes for dogs.

Halloween costumes for dogs are a howl for some canines
It takes a special dog to rock a tremendous hero costume or parade around in a pumpkin outfit. In case you think your pooch is a fashionista or a clown, here's some tips and ideas for Halloween costumes. And, safety advice.
The excitement on pet costumes: More costumes are available for owners who need to dress their canines and other animals for Halloween parades, parties and pics.
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PetSmart
The excitement on pet costumes: More costumes for dogs are available for owners who need to dress their canines and other animals for Halloween parades, parties and pics.
Pets show off their Hoowwl-een costumes
  Pets join the parade of Halloween costumes
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LOS ANGELES Pet owners love dressing up their canines for
Halloween costumes for dogs
Only issue is, canines don't always love wearing costumes. But there's some tricks you can use for those pets that don't think it is a treat to wear hats, boots, masks and coats for their owners' amusement.

If a dog is used to wearing clothes, costumes may not be an issue, said veterinarian Terry Marie Curtis, a clinical behaviorist for the Department of Tiny Animal Clinical Services at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu).

But every pet is different. "Many canines hate things on their feet," he said. "This is true because it can adjust how they perceive where they are jogging."

Canines accustomed to wearing snug items designed to quiet anxiety  like Thundershirts, Anxiety Wraps or Storm Defender Capes  ought to be able to adjust to other types of clothing, he said.

Some canines are used to booties, though, either because they live where the ground gets hot or chilled, or they are carried most of the time. "The smaller pocket pups are more likely to have 'dress up' in their experience because that is what mom has done since puppyhood," Curtis said.

For fussy canines (and felines), try a starter costume consisting mostly of accessories, advised Reyna Jew, who buys dog and cat apparel, shampoo, travel products and carriers for PetSmart (www.petsmart.com).

Try angel, fairy or bat wings, a pirate or witch hat. If that is still much, there's bows that clip in the pet's hair, necklaces and decorative collars or bandannas made of Halloween-themed fabric.

Target offers 29 costume styles for canines, including rider styles (a stuffed character rides on the back of the pet) designed for larger canines and ten partial costumes for the pet that won't tolerate a full costume, said Kristy Welker of Target Communications in Minneapolis. Pet costumes are available online (http://www.target.com/c/party-supplies-holidays-halloween-pets-costumes/-/N-5tf58) and in plenty of of the stores.

Target also carries styles of T-shirts and styles of pajamas, including prisoners and skeletons.

Options include items that attach to collars, like flowers and even Saint Bernard-style rescue barrels, said Welker. These won't upset animals who don't like wearing clothes, but they'll look like costumes to human eyes.

Costumes that cover a pet's head or include eyeglasses or masks could be a challenge. You'll must see what your dog will tolerate, but don't be surprised if a mask or hat is repeatedly shaken or pawed off. The most popular costume at PetSmart is the bumblebee, followed by the pumpkin and dragon, Jew said. Bat wings, hot canines and a sheriff are Target's best-sellers. Pajamas are popular because they are comfortable, Welker said. At BuyCostumes.com, a raptor, bee and a dog-riding cowboy top the list. Few places sell full costumes for felines but dog accessories will work. PetSmart also has 12 collars and scarves designed for and modeled by felines online. Some pet owners need to dress like their pets or need to dress their children and pets similar. It is simple to mix and match lots of pet costumes with people costumes from other stores, Jew said. For example, there's Superman and Batman dog costumes. An owner can basically receive a Lois Lane or Robin costume, he said. Target offers hot dog and banana costumes for both adults and pets, Welker said.

Pet costumes are made to go on simple, She said, and usually fasten with Velcro.
The best-selling size costume is medium, which usually fits a 30- to 40-pound dog. "The toy breeds are second up," She said.
 trend that is driving demand for pet costumes is the surging number of dress-up events for pets being staged by neighborhoods, cities, shelters, rescues, magazines, sites, pet stores, charitable organizations and other groups, including picture contests, pet parades and businesses inviting pets in costume to drop by, Jew said.
Keep pets safe.

As the holiday approaches, pet owners ought to keep a few things in mind when buying Halloween costumes for dogs.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that costumes ought to not limit an animal's "movement, hearing, sight or ability to breathe, bark, eat, drink or eliminate. And watch for choking hazards."
And, the ASPCA says, keep in mind that chocolate is poisonous for canines, while the aluminum foil and cellophane in sweet wrappers may cause serious issues for felines and canines.
Dr. Justine Lee, associate director of veterinary services for the national Pet Poison Helpline in Minneapolis, said in the coursework of Halloween week last year, calls about canines that ingested chocolate increased by 209 percent over a typical week
All the activity and oddly dressed people coming and going may scare your pet, Curtis said. "I've worked with lots of canines who are deathly afraid of cameras and the flash, so if their owners are doing lots of picture taking around this time, then that could contribute to the general fear, ," he said.
The ASPCA also suggests keeping pets away from doors when greeting trick-or-treaters and recommends against candles to light up pumpkins.
For more tips, see http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/halloween-safety-tips.aspx. 

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