Christmas costumes for dogs are cute, but be warned that they’re not for every pet

Here is how to tell if the animal is distressed.

With Christmas just around the corner, it can be tempting to dress your dog up in a festive costume. While pet owner's intentions are good, often animals can become quite distressed in clothing. Celebrities have been seen doing it, YouTubers like Jenna Marbles have done it and many of us think it's hilarious to see pets dressed up as hot dogs, unicorns, elves and wizards. But experts warn that not all animals will take kindly to being dressed up. One PDSA Vet, Olivia Anderson-Nathan told the BBC:

"Some clothing can be useful for certain pets - winter coats to keep them warm and dry, or high-vis jackets to keep them safe on dark nights. However, even these have to be carefully fitted with a pet's comfort and welfare in mind, to ensure they don't restrict the pet's movement or cause them any distress. Costumes are often not designed for comfort, and can limit your pet's movement. Many of them cover a pet's face or head, which can make pets feel really restricted."

While some pets don't mind clothing others will give you clear indications that they are upset. Here are the signs to look out for says Olivia:

"Some pets can get very stressed - cats may start to groom themselves a lot, sit or lie very still, be more vocal or even lash out. Dogs might show they're stressed by licking their lips, yawning or panting, or again freezing still. Dressing up pets just for fun could make them stressed and uncomfortable, so if it's just for our amusement then we don't feel this is fair on our pets."

It's just something to be mindful of before you rush out and spend a fortune on a Harry Potter costume for your pooch.