It's not just kids who get in on the costume action this Halloween! Dogs like to have fun just like the rest of us. So why not dress your canine companion to the nines in a festive costume?
Whether you're going trick-or-treating, taking your pooch to a Halloween bash, or simply want to show off your dog's fun personality, there are plenty of great costumes to choose from. Here are some of our favorites.
15 Best Dog Costumes for Halloween
California Costumes UPS Delivery Driver Dog & Cat Costume
Who doesn't love seeing the UPS guy? This comfortable costume is made out of cozy fabric and comes with the iconic shipper's hat.
It features a detachable UPS box, which creates a fun illusion that will turn heads.
Frisco Pumpkin Dog & Cat Costume
This classic costume turns your furry friend into a familiar carved pumpkin. The garment is on the simpler side, which is great for fussy pups. But, the two-piece provides tons of color and whimsy to your pup's look.
Rubie's Costume Company Classic Superman Dog & Cat Costume
Super Dog to the rescue! Your dog is already a hero in your eyes, so why not let the world know? This three-piece costume comes with a cozy cape, a loose harness, and a removable belt.
The costume is easy to put on thanks to the drawstring closure. You can use it to get a snug fit that won't irritate your dog.
Frisco Formal Dog & Cat Tuxedo, Black
Here's a costume that you can use all year long. It's modeled after a formal tuxedo and comes with all the details your pup needs to turn heads. While it's a one-piece costume, the layered components give the illusion of a full suit. It even has a bowtie!
Rubie's Costume Company Robin Dog & Cat Costume
Let your sidekick shine in this licensed Robin outfit. This is a great costume if someone in your family dresses as Batman. The colorful costume has all the same design elements as the classic comic book character.
Rubie's Costume Company Batman Dog & Cat Costume
Have a couple of dogs you want to dress up? With this Batman costume from Rubies, you can create a dynamic duo.
The costume features a harness-style design. Just slide it over your dog's chest and tighten the drawstring for a snug fit that won't slip.
Frisco Prisoner Dog & Cat Costume
This simple costume harkens back to the days of classic western movies. It turns your lovable pup into the criminal you know them to be! Did they get into the trash or start chewing on your furniture again? This costume will let the world know.
Frisco Front Walking Killer Doll Dog & Cat Costume
With the killer doll craze sweeping through Hollywood, this costume is perfect for pop culture junkies. It's an illusion costume that makes the front half of your dog look like a possessed doll! It even comes with a wig and an ax toy.
Frisco Stegosaurus Dinosaur Dog & Cat Costume
Have a smaller dog that likes to pretend like he's a fierce monster? This costume is a great option. It's modeled after the iconic stegosaurus dinosaur.
The costume covers your dog from head to tail in a beautiful shade of deep blue. Subtle details like scales add some texture to the look. Of course, you can't forget about the bony plates on the back!
Frisco Vampire Cape Dog & Cat Costume
Check out this simple vampire costume from Frisco. While the outfit doesn't have a ton of pieces of detail, there's no mistaking it for anything else!
The signature vampire cape is instantly recognizable. Thanks to its low-key design, the costume works well for fussier dogs who might not enjoy elaborate outfits.
Rubie's Costume Company Wonder Woman Dog & Cat Costume
This licensed Wonder Woman costume is perfect for your little canine heroine. The comic book character has returned to the cultural zeitgeist in recent years thanks to film and television.
This design harkens back to the comic's old design while paying homage to the icon herself.
Frisco Halloween Fair Isle Dog & Cat Sweater
Here's a conservative costume that adds a little flair without going over the top. It's a knit sweater that features pumpkins, ghosts, and ghouls! Great for dogs that aren't keen on wearing larger costumes, the sweater is comfortable and lightweight. But upon closer inspection, onlookers will get a kick out of the sweater's detailed design.
Frisco Candy Inspector Dog & Cat Hoodie
The "Candy Inspector" costume is another good choice for pups who aren't ready for more elaborate attire.
The sweater is designed to look like a simple black hoodie. But on the back, the slogan lets people know exactly what your dog is after!
The sweater features a full hood as well as an opening to slip a leash through.
Frisco Be My Boo Dog & Cat Hoodie
This hoodie sweater is a cute garment that will bring a smile to anyone's face. It features a screen-printed graphic with two ghosts. But instead of scary imagery, it has a cutesy design that's perfect for calm and collected dogs.
Great for pups who need to battle the autumn cold, the sweater provides plenty of coverage without weighing your dog down.
TOMSENN Dog Lion Mane
Keep things simple with this lion's mane costume. It can turn any dog into the king of the jungle! The mane fits like a hat or collar. All you have to do is slip it over your pup's head.
The accessory is covered in loose synthetic orange hairs to give your dog that signature lion look.
Halloween Toys & Treats
We all know that Halloween candy is a big no-no for dogs. But that doesn't mean that your pup has to come home empty-handed! Here are a couple of Halloween-themed goodies to put the "treat" in trick-or-treating.
Goody Box Halloween Toys, Treats & Apparel for Dogs
From the Goody Box is this themed product bundle. It comes with a few seasonal treat bags from brands like American Journey, True Acres, and Fruitables. These treats are all high-quality and safe for canines.
Your dog can also enjoy a few fun accessories. Dress your pup up in a festive bandana while they enjoy the plushie and chew toy!
Frisco Halloween Zombie Plush with Rope Squeaky Dog Toy
Here's a ghoulish toy that can keep your pup entertained all Halloween long. It's modeled after a cartoonish zombie. The body of the zombie is a soft plushie with a built-in squeaker. For the arms and legs, the toy uses durable rope ties for chewing.
Things to Keep in Mind
Dressing your dog up can make your Halloween festivities even more fun! But, you have to remember that wearing a costume is not something dogs are used to.
The goal is to make your dog as comfortable as possible. To do that, there are a few things to keep in mind while you shop.
Size
The first thing to do is to get the right size! Canine costume makers typically offer garments in a range of sizes. Oftentimes, those sizes reflect common measurements for collars and harnesses. But never assume that's the case.
Research costume sizing before you commit. Take some measurements around key areas and compare them to the outfit. Usually, you'll need to measure the circumference around your dog's neck, their height, and their length from the withers. Use these measurements to get a costume that fits snug.
The last thing you want to do is getting something that's too tight. Costumes can be downright uncomfortable for dogs! If it doesn't fit correctly, you run the risk of causing rashes or cutting off your dog's circulation. If anything, it's better to get a costume that's too big than one that's too small.
Fabric
The fabric of the costume will have a big impact on its overall comfort and durability. Thin frilly fabrics may seem cute. But is your dog calm enough to keep it in good shape throughout your Halloween adventures?
Stick to durable fabrics that aren't going to fray or rip at the first sign of resistance. You want it to be durable enough to last. However, the fabric should also provide enough give to prevent your dog from feeling constrained.
Polyester is a good go-to. The material resists damage, stretches, and is relatively lightweight. Cotton fabrics like jersey work well, too.
Security
When we say security, we're talking about a costume's ability to stay on. Your dog is going to be running around and having fun all day. So, the costume needs to have some secure fasteners to stay on.
There are several different types of fasteners available. The most common are hook-and-loop straps. They offer just enough security while still giving you the option to tear the costume off at a moment's notice.
Plastic snaps and buckles are common, too. They tend to be a little more secure on more rambunctious pups.
Comfort
Finally, you have to think about your dog's comfort. This factor is entirely subjective. What's comfortable for one dog may not be comfortable for another.
Consider your dog's temperament and fur length. If your dog is on the fussier side, an over-the-top garment with tons of accessories isn't going to cut it. Chances are, ornate costumes will only make them feel stressed. In that case, you might want to stick with a simpler costume.
The amount of coverage the costume provides is important, too. A double-coated dog can quickly overheat if you cover them in a costume made of thick fabric! Match the design to your dog's body to make sure that they can tolerate it on your Halloween adventures.
Tips for Getting Your Dog Comfortable With Costumes
Not every pup is keen on getting dressed up! If they've never worn clothes before, festive attire is going to be a foreign experience for them. Luckily, there are some ways you can ease your pup into the idea of wearing a costume.
The best thing you can do is desensitize your dog early. Introduce them to the costume a few days early. Let them sniff around and interact with it a bit so that they know it's nothing to be scared of.
Then, slowly put the costume on piece by piece. Show them the first piece of the costume. When they sniff it, reward them with praise and a treat. Once they're comfortable, put it on and reward them again!
Repeat this process until the entire costume is on. Make sure to reward them with every piece. Then, take it all off and repeat the process again!
The goal here is to show your dog that wearing a costume leads to a reward. Try putting the costume on every day leading up to Halloween. By the third or fourth fitting, your dog should have no problem with the costume.
Conclusion
What is your dog going to be this Halloween? While they can't snack on candy, dogs can get in on the Halloween fun, too. Try one of these costumes on for size and see how much attention your pup can garner
