Costumes for pets

I was looking for a costume for this Halloween when I stumbled upon pet costumes. To be honest I had seen people dressing up their dogs with woolly jumpers for the winter, but a Halloween costume? I have never seen that, but then I am not a "pet person", so you would not see me browsing in a pet shop. However, looking at these cute dogs and cats all dressed up just made me want to own one... at least for the day!

Some might argue that putting your dog into a pumpkin costume is too much, it is just burying your dog's dignity, but if you are wearing a pumpkin suit yourself, doesn't that even it out?

Personally I don't think it is cruel if your pet does not mind dressing up. Some pets just love the attention as much as their owners, and besides, they look so adorable and funny at the same time! However, please DO NOT put your pet in a costume if this is going to cause her distress.

• Top fashion designers, like Vivienne Westwood and Ben de Lisi, have created dog designs.
• London store Harrods has an annual fashion show called Pet-a-Porter.

If you dress up your dog make sure that the costume is safe and she is not going to bite off and choke with pieces of it. Also make sure that the costume is a good fit and it does not restrict vision, hearing or movement or impedes her ability to breathe or bark.

Devil Costume

If you are going for a devil costume yourself, nothing better to match up than this cute costume for your dog or cat. Your little ""devil"" will have a hell of a time in this dog or Cat From Hell Costume.

If you are dressing up your children in superheroes costumes, nothing better than going trick or treating with Fido dressed as Spiderman or superman.

If you are dressing your little Princess in a Disney costume, you can also try a Disney costume for your pet. The Mickey Mouse costume is ideal for small-medium sized dogs. Make sure that your dog is friendly because everybody will be wanting to caress him.

For little romantic girls who cannot leave their doggy at home the "Cinderella" and "daisy bee costume" are ideal to dress up their pets.

Daisy Bee Pet Costume

Your pooch will look absolutely ""bee-u-ti-ful"" in this precious Daisy Bee Costume. Costume features a black and yellow striped dress with a yell daisy applique and black sheer wings.

For large dogs, the "Pimp dog" costume is a sure success. I am sure he will make lots of new friends dressed up like this.

Functionality must always come before fashion and if your dog or cat is not initially interested, don't force it. Clinical animal behaviourist Pippa Hutchison says that "If the animal appears to tolerate the attention and fuss of being dressed up, then as long as it can perform normal functions like walking, doing the toilet and resting then there is not a welfare issue"