More dogs dressed for the holidays

CHICAGO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Dressing up pets for holidays like Halloween has become one of the fastest growing segments of the $41 billion U.S. pet market.

In the pet trade, it's known as "humanizing accessories," said the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the APPMA.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, reports thriving sales of pet costumes, especially the princess, witch and Dracula dog costumes for Halloween, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

An estimated 7 percent of dog owners plan to gussy up their pooch for Halloween, up from 4 percent in 2004, said the APPMA, which conducts an annual pet owners survey.

The National Retail Federation puts the figure higher at 11 percent of U.S. households planning to dress their dogs as devils, pumpkins, witches, princesses and angels, the Tribune reported.