People might think that a habit this time of year is a harmless bit of fun - and it is for most people. But pets are likely to end up feeling stressed out over it, and any irresponsible owner could wind up paying a huge price for a little bit of Halloween fun.
In 2024, 17.2 million UK households owned a pet of some sort, according to figures by UK Pet Food. Despite the growing popularity of including pets in holiday traditions, it's best for owners to leave this one to the humans.
Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), owners have a duty of care for their pet in terms of health and wellbeing. Forcing them into a costume for Halloween may lead to unnecessary suffering and stress, which violates the legal act and could be treated as animal cruelty, depending on the circumstances.
According to the law, people who are guilty of this type of behaviour could face cash fines, prison sentences and, likely, a ban on owning animals. This applies to most animals, but the Act itself specifically covers "vertebrate" creatures like dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, horses, reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles), birds and amphibians.
Some Halloween costumes for pets can even restrict their vision, hearing or breathing. Ill-fitting outfits may get caught on furniture or your pet might get tangled up in them and panic. Costumes made from crinkly fabric, or anything that makes an unfamiliar noise, can potentially upset your pet, too.
Cat Protection added that felines will probably end up feeling "stressed and uncomfortable" by the whole experience. Registered Veterinary Nurse Helen Crofts said: "There may be some cats who tolerate wearing items of clothing, but this is quite rare. Dressing them up for your own amusement is not recommended.
"For most cats, having any sort of clothing or accessories placed on them will be a stressful and uncomfortable experience, even if it's for a short period of time."
Whilst humans understand the purpose of clothes, the concept is completely alien to animals. Helen claimed that cats forced into a costume may become "anxious and scared" when their basic movements are restricted.
In some cases, it can lead to serious issues, as the website claims: "A cat's fur is usually all they need to keep them warm so putting a layer of clothing over the top can make them overheat. Cats keep themselves cool by grooming. When the saliva they leave on their fur evaporates, it helps to cool them down. If they're wearing clothes they may be unable to groom and keep themselves cool.
You can tell if your pet likes wearing clothes by observing their body language: they will likely show a relaxed posture, move freely, and seem happy, with a loose tail and soft eyes. Signs of stress include: