Pet owners issued urgent warning over Halloween costumes that might be harming your cat or dog

British pet owners are being urged to avoid buying Halloween costumes for their cats and this year. The PDSA said it is advising owners to think twice before dressing up their pets, as spooky-themed fancy dress could prevent pets from going to the bathroom comfortably, posed a choking hazard and risked sparking fights between animals.

retailer B&M sells a range of Halloween garments for dogs, priced £4 to £8, including skeleton hoodies, pumpkin tank tops and attachable batwings. Meanwhile Pets at Home offers around a dozen options, including a Jack-o'-lantern jumper, a "spider dog" outfit, a pumpkin onesie and a witch's hat for hounds, with prices from £2 to £10. Popular sites such as the resale site and online giant Amazon also flog a wide variety of costumes for cats and dogs.

PDSA vet nurse Gemma Renwick said: "While we may love to dress up as goblins and ghouls for Halloween, pets don’t share our enthusiasm. Costumes can cause significant discomfort and stress for our furry friends. What may seem like a completely innocent bit of seasonal fun can be detrimental to their health."

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She said outfits were often made from materials that caused animals to overheat, get tangled or even contained small parts they may choke on. Ms Renwick added: "Imagine being wrapped up like a mummy when you didn’t ask for it. Dressing up doesn’t come naturally to pets, especially for cats, who can feel particularly distressed when forced into an outfit.

"Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate with each other, and a costume can obscure these signals as it hides them from showing their natural behaviours, leading to confusion or even aggressive encounters. If your dog is feeling stressed, it may change how they behave around other pets, potentially leading to misunderstandings or conflicts.

"While fancy dress may be fun for us, it's important to remember that our pets aren’t toys or a Halloween party prop. Dressing them in a way that makes fun of them or puts them in an uncomfortable position is just not a considerate thing to do."

A Pets at Home spokeswoman said: "Our Halloween costumes and accessories are designed with safety in mind, both fire-retardant and free from harmful glitter or sequins, helping to protect both your pet and the environment. Your pet’s wellbeing is our priority."

She added: "However, to keep things safe and fun, it's important to prioritise your pet's comfort. "Only use pet-specific clothing and accessories for short periods and monitor their behaviour closely. If your pet seems uncomfortable or stressed, remove the items immediately. You can try something simpler, like our collar sliders, but always watch how your pet reacts."

An eBay spokeswoman said the site would "not be providing a comment", adding: "eBay is a marketplace rather than a retailer."

B&M and Amazon were also contacted for comment.