Pet Costume: Before You Put Yours In One, Read This Warning
I know. We all love having our pet costume photos. Photos of fur babies dressed as a superhero or princess is as precious to some as their human kids donning those outfits. But a pet costume isn’t for everyone. In fact, according to the RSPCA, costumes can be quite traumatic for some animals, the BBC reported.
The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in the U.K. Animal safety is among their highest priority. They say that some pets are fine getting dressed up. But others might not be. In fact, some might even get worried or scared being in costume. And some veterinary associations warn that an animal can suffer discomfort or even breathing problems under this stress.
We all love our fur babies. And it’s important to think about how some holiday activities, like wearing a pet costume, might make them feel. Some animals might also get stressed out at things like parties or parades. Both rampant this time of year. It’s no different than fireworks on the Fourth of July, in terms of being cautious about the pet’s reaction.
The breed of pet should be considered as well when it comes to a pet costume, specifically dogs. If you have a pug, bulldog, or other breed prone to breathing problems, a costume can make that issue worse. Like these two bulldogs…are they smiling? Or struggling to breathe? It’s honestly hard to tell.
Keep in mind, pet owners aren’t being told NOT to buy a pet costume. It’s just a warning to make sure that your pet stays calm and healthy during the process of wearing the thing. Because as cute as our babies are dressed up, we love them. That means their health and happiness comes first. Some dogs and cats are comfortable in costume. And others are downright happy to wear them. They’re just not for every pet. If you do have a costume-loving pet in your home, tell them I said Happy Halloween! 😀
–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas
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Cats And Dogs Who Are The Best Of Friends
Who ever said cats and dogs can’t get along. Since the dawn of time, “fighting like cats and dogs” has been a phrase thrown around to describe a tumultuous relationship. But sometimes dogs and cats can actually be friends. Just like animals who live with kids, dogs and cats just have to be socialized at the right age so they get to know each other. I know many friends who have both a cat and a dog and they all say the same thing: that the two get along great. Worst case scenario with my friends’ experiences is that their pets ignore each other but are still amicable and able to live together in harmony. So where did this “fighting like cats and dogs” thing come from? Well, the same dog owned by my friend who gets along great with his cat sister, does not do as well when a strange cat comes wandering by the back patio door. That points to familiarity being a necessity for success.
According to a mixed species research from the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, there isn’t solid evidence about what factors lead to a successful cat-dog relationship. Though the age at which the two are introduced to each other seemed to be a big determinate. One interesting discovery in this study is that the cat was the one who seemed to control the success of the bond. The study reported, via sciencedirect.com, that “comfortability of the cat was a stronger predictor of amicability than comfortability of the dog; frequency of the cat appearing uncomfortable with the dog was a better predictor for reduced amicability than the dog appearing uncomfortable in the presence of the cat.” That might be the closest thing to proof that cats are higher maintenance!
Here is a collection of cats and dogs who not only live in harmony, but are the best of friends.
–Wendy Rush, 96.3 KKLZ Las Vegas
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Wendy Rush is the midday host on one of Vegas's top stations, 96.3 KKLZ. She has been with the station for ten years and comes with a diverse career background. In addition to being a radio host, Wendy has lived the Vegas life as an entertainer. She has been a celebrity impersonator, rock band singer, and improv comedian. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Wendy writes about music, celebrities, mental health and wellness, and life as a Las Vegas local.
