Halloween costume on pet? Keep safety in mind

MADISON (AP) - If you're planning to dress up your pet for Halloween, animal-health officials ask that you keep safety in mind.
    
Yvonne Bellay is with Wisconsin's consumer-protection agency. She says costumes that look cute on dogs and cats could actually endanger their health.
    
She says some animals get stressed or have allergic reactions to costumes. She suggests that pet owners try the costumes on their animals before Halloween to see whether the experience distresses them.

• Click here to see photos of dogs and cats in costume

She also recommends avoiding masks on pets, or at least using masks with large enough holes not to restrict their vision or breathing.
    
Other possible Halloween dangers include:
    
- Dangling costume pieces that can be choking hazards
    
- Access to chocolate, which is toxic to some pets
    
- Lit jack-o'-lanterns, which can be fire hazards.