Americans expected to spend $700M on Halloween costumes for pets this spooky season

WASHINGTON (TND) — Halloween is a week away and many people like to find the perfect costumes for their pets.

This spooky season, Americans are expected to spend $700 million on Halloween costumes for their furry friends, according to theNational Retail Federation's (NRF) annual survey.

The most popular pet costumes include a pumpkin (11%), a hot dog (7%), a bat (4%), a bumblebee (3%) and a spider," the NRF noted online.

A poll conducted byOnlineCasino.ca included 3,000 Americans who have pets, with 47% saying they plan on dressing their animals up this year.

But there are a few precautions pet moms and dads should followto ensure pets stay safe during the holiday.

Camp Bow Wow, a pet care franchise based in Colorado, shared tips to make sure animals enjoy lots of treats and no tricks.

Our pets are essential members of our families, so it’s only natural to want to include them in Halloween festivities,” Erin Askeland, who is Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert, noted in a news release. “When gearing up to celebrate the holiday, there are a few things to consider to ensure their safety.”

The release included the following advice:

• Do not take your pets trick-or-treating. It’s possible that your dog could get spooked by a ghost or goblin and even the friendliest dog could bite someone to protect themselves or you from what it perceives as a threat. Instead, keep your pet in a safe, secluded space so they cannot escape when the door opens to trick-or-treaters.
• Make sure your pet’s costume is safe. Fido may look adorable in his new superhero costume, but that cape won’t necessarily keep him out of harm’s way. Costumes should not constrict the animal's movement, hearing or sight or impede their ability to breathe, bark or meow. Avoid small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that animals could choke on. It is helpful to try on costumes before Halloween, and if your pet seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, don’t force them to wear it.
• Keep candy out of reach. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark and baking chocolate, can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Instead, give your pooch their own Halloween candy by treating them to their favorite doggy snack. If you do suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or your local poison control center immediately.
• Look out for potentially dangerous decorations. Keep an eye out for edible decorative items like Halloween pumpkins and candy corn when participating in Halloween festivities with your pet. While these are relatively nontoxic, they can cause stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

Halloween is a great holiday to celebrate with your pets,” Askeland noted. “With just a few precautions, they can have fun and stay healthy.”

For Rhode Island resident Lauren Cardinale, picking out the perfect costume for her beloved cat, Ginnai, is an annual tradition.

With each year, his costumes get more and more creative -- and adorable.

This year, he will don a Harry Potter outfit, complete with a magic wand and glasses.

He's always something fun and popular in culture of history," Cardinale told The National Desk. "I dress him up because the photos are priceless. I'll always have them and people love his Halloween pics each year. As long as he has treats, he will pose as long as I want. He's one of a kind."

In previous year, he's dressed up as the Pope, as well as a gangster. His mommy said she finds costumes that aren't restrictive or uncomfortable.

"I always make sure it's the proper fit and no choking hazards," Cardinale said. "We had a few Julius Caesar togas until we found the right fit."

Cardinale usually gets the costumes from various online merchants.

BARK, the creators of BarkBox, said it offers costumes that will are sure to fright and delight. This year, some of the choices include:

Bark Halloween Charlie Brown Dog Polo ($15 via Petsmart)

Bark Halloween Snoopy Dog Costume ($15 via Petsmart)

BarkBoxed Franzia Wine Costume ($20 via BarkShop.com)

Bark Prince of Barkness Bundle ($13 via BarkShop.com)

Bark Beard ($11 via BarkShop.com)

An email from BarkBox said the costumes are available at Petsmart stores and online at BarkShop.com.