Who says Halloween is just for kids? Pets are just as much a part of the family and, in fact, for many of us, pets are like our kids! Whether trotting them around a local park for a social Halloween walk, or merely creating social media selfie moments, dressing up our pets and catering to them for events like Halloween is becoming more popular than ever. From DIY treats to devilish décor, there are a lot of ways to make Halloween a pet-friendly event.
Halloween Doggie Snacks
Whether you go for store-bought Mummy Rolls and Creepy Cookies, or make spook-tacular homemade recipes just for pets, don't forget special treats for Fido. Keep them around as a reward for wearing a costume, or consider leaving a bowl (with a fun sign) near the end of the driveway for other tail wagging trick or treaters to enjoy.
Doggie Dress Up
Let's admit it, it's fun to dress up the dog. This year's most popular dog costumes and accessories are still movie-driven characters, from Star Wars' Ewok and Darth Vader, to DC Comics superheroes and Minions. If you're the crafty type, there are plenty of DIY resources online for making your own clever costumes on a budget. Otherwise, check out Amazon's huge selection, and Etsy's quality hand knit or crocheted outfits, hats and collars. Or, try stenciling. Using pet-safe paints, you can add colour or graphics to your pet's coat, including scary spiders or glittery jack-o'-lanterns.
Small Pets
Yes, there are options for those who don't have dogs or cats. From Halloween-themed aquarium décor to hats and outfits for guinea pigs, hamsters and even birds, small pets can get in on the fun, too. Give your small pet the cutest makeover with some easy DIY costume ideas: lizard, hula girl, witch or your favourite Pokémon character!
Pet-rifyingly Cute Couples
No partner? No problem. After all, you've got your best friend to be your sidekick -- and they won't give you grief about you want them to wear. With so many people into Game of Thrones, an option for ladies is to transform your dog to a dragon while you turn into Daenerys Targaryen. Other cute costume couples include a Storm Trooper with an AT-AT Walker, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, or Batman and Robin. Great Danes make a perfect Scooby-Doo or jockey's racehorse, too.
Pet-smart safety
Halloween is fun for kids but can be stressful for pets if not handled properly. Keep it safe for our four-legged friends with some important precautions. While some pets don't mind being dressed up, others can't stand it. Don't force it. Make sure costumes aren't bothersome or constrict movement, vision or breathing. Keep candy and chocolate bowls out of reach. Don't leave pets unattended, especially around lit pumpkins or other decorations that could be harmful or cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten. Sadly, some people may harm or even steal pets, so make sure they are kept inside and always have ID.
Whether you're looking for popular costumes and accessories, or something more original, you'll find plenty of ins-purr-ation online. Plus, by shopping online, you'll save time by avoiding busy lineups in-store, while save money by taking advantage of retailer promo codes, cash back deals and even free shipping.
Sari Friedman is the Marketing Director of Ebates Canada and resident shopping expert. Ebates.ca is Canada's largest cash back shopping site. As a fashion enthusiast and new mom, Sari has an eye for finding and sharing amazing deals on the hottest trends and must-have styles.
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