You know you love ‘em. And we do, too! We’re talking about those off-the-charts Halloween costumes for dogs. Seriously, we can’t resist a Weiner Dog fully condimented and sandwiched in a cushy hot dog bun. Sure, it’s tried-and-true, but it makes us crazy!
The Great Pumpkin may come only one night a year. But the best dog costume ideas for Halloween somehow stay viral long after the yard decor is packed away.
We’re all for turning your Great Dane into Secretariat or your Malti-Poo into Baby Yoda (and those hilarious dog name puns that come along with it) however, make sure your pumpkin-pup is up for the transformation.
And, as always, think safety-first.
Tips for ensuring safety with Halloween costumes for dogs
Dogs, like people, have their own unique preferences and comfort zones. And that rule of paw applies to costumes as much as it does to harnesses, ThunderShirts, and cones-of-shame.
In addition to honoring your pup’s comfort level when it comes to costumes, there are also safety precautions to keep in mind when playing doggie dress-up.
Here are 8 safety considerations for Halloween pet costumes, according to PetMD:
- Ensure proper fit of costume.
- Ensure full mobility.
- Ensure no limitations to visibility.
- Watch for possible allergic reactions.
- Ensure no choking items.
- Monitor your pet while it’s in costume.
- Recognize signs of stress.
- Make sure ID tags are visible.
If your dog shows signs of discomfort or distress (panting, whimpering, cowering, biting, freezing in place, rubbing on the floor), it’s time to remove the costume. What’s irresistibly adorable to you may be uncomfortable and stressful for him.
To save time, money, and anguish on the big night, do an advance trial run. Start with a t-shirt to test your dog’s tolerance of clothes, and move on from there.
Now let’s get creative….
Ready-made Halloween costumes for dogs
You name it and someone has probably thought of a way to turn it into a dog Halloween costume. Action heroes, cartoon/movie/TV characters, aliens, royalty, insects, toys, food, emojis, flowers, other animal species – the options are seemingly endless.
One major benefit of buying a costume ready-made for dogs is that multiple components will already be sewn together. Some of the most hilarious costumes involve nothing more than a willing participant and a couple Velcro closures.
We found some great Halloween costume ideas for dogs – and even matchies for their humans – on PetCostumeCenter.com. Here are a few of our favs:
Funny Halloween Costumes for Dogs
- Where’s Waldo Dog Costume
- Walking Vet Doctor Dog Costume
- Walking UPS Driver Dog Costume
- Sushi Dog Costume
- Franken Pup Dog Costume
- Walking Minion Dog Costume
- Buzz Lightyear Toy Story Dog Costume
- Superman Dog Costume
- Wonder Woman Dog Costume
Cute Halloween Costumes for Dogs
- Walking Teddy Bear Dog Costume
- Hula Girl Dog Costume
- Sloth Animal Dog Costume
- Llama Dog Costume
- Avocado Dog Costume
- Ewok Star Wars Walking Dog Costume
- Spiderman Dog Costume
Matching Human & Dog Costumes
- Baby Shark Dog & Human (family costume set)
- Jedi Star Wars Human and Dog Costume
- Anakin and Darth Vader Human and Dog Costume
- Hot Dog and Mustard Human and Dog Costume Combo
In addition to a star-studded cast of costumes, Amazon has some darling alternatives for more skeptical canines.
If your dog isn’t into fussy costumes, you can call his or her bluff with some comfy Halloween-themed clothes. From dresses to pj’s, there are plenty of options to ensure your favorite goblin will still be a magnet for adoration and treats. Our favs?
Finally, if you’re a little more right-brained when it comes to Halloween costume ideas for dogs, check out the creative works of the artists at Etsy.
The Game of Thrones crown-wig-and-cape costume is genius in its simplicity, and we love seeing the big dogs get their share of the fun.
And the mariachi costume? We just. Can’t. Deal.
A few more of our Etsy Halloween dog costume favs include:
- Glow-in-the-Dark Mummy
- Crocheted Blooming Flower Collar
- Larger Breed Granny Robe and Bonnet
- Top Gun Fighter Pilot
What about DIY Dog Costumes?
Half the fun of Halloween is letting your imagination run wild…and leaving others to marvel at your genius.
Creating your own Halloween costume for your dog – or a matching set for the two of you – can be loads of fun.
Start with a great idea or simply start with a closetful of interesting items. Grab some craft essentials like fabric, cardboard, and pipe cleaners, and you’re set to create.
Ghost Dog Costume – DIY Dog Costume
Being ghosted isn’t such a bad thing if it comes with paws and a tail! And making a ghost costume is as easy as cutting holes in a white sheet for your Casper’s eyes and snout. Be sure to trim the bottom to avoid tripping if you will be out trick-or-treating together. You can also add some glow-in-the-dark paint for spooky visibility in the dark.
Lego Dog Costume – DIY Dog Costume
Shoe boxes, large pieces of cardboard, plastic cups, styrofoam, masking tape, and non-toxic paint are a veritable jackpot for creating dog Halloween costumes.
Use a shoe box and the bottoms of plastic cups to create a Lego that you then paint and attach to your dog’s harness.
Puptini Dog Costume – DIY Dog Costume
Turn that cone-of-shame into a cone-of-fame for a quick Puptini photo session. Use the cone as a martini glass. Then add a red circle to one or two green styrofoam florist’s balls to create “olives.” Carefully place the stick of olives into the cone and snap your pic that will keep you laughing for years to come.
Other DIY Dog Costume Tips
Angel, butterfly, bat, and dragon wings are easy costume solutions, as the arm straps can easily be slipped over your dog’s forelegs.
The fun of DIY Halloween costumes – for dogs and humans – is that you don’t need to break the bank. You can have a fun night and memorable pics with a little spare change and a lot of ingenuity.
Goodwill prides itself on being the go-to for Halloween costumes, both ready-made and DIY. And they know that trick-or-treating isn’t just for humans.
Easy alternative dog costume ideas
Not every dog is going to be down with your Oscar-winning ideas for costume design. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun or even on the pet costume contest.
If your dog isn’t comfortable in costume, you can still turn him into something fabulously ghoulish or festive for the occasion. Consider painting your pup with temporary, pet-safe paints or non-toxic face paints that you can wash off when you get home.
Check out these mesmerizing skeletal creations and red-carpet-worthy pet paint Halloween costumes.
When in doubt, use what your dog is used to and already comfortable with. A colorful bandana, a Halloween-themed dog collar, a Batman logo on the front of a ThunderShirt, a superhero cape attached to a harness. There’s no need to “go big or go home.”
When it comes to enjoying Halloween with your dog, the trick is to tap into your creativity while tuning into your dog.
And maybe even whipping up a tasty pumpkin and apple homemade Halloween dog treat as a reward for their hard work struttin’ their stuff in their very best Halloween costume!
The treat is the fun you get to have, creating yet another ritual and another well-photographed memory of your life together.
