17 Dog Halloween Costumes That Are Too Cute Not to Buy Your Pooch
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Barbie, cowboys, and aliens, oh my
People / Alli Waataja
Forget your own ensemble, the Halloween costume that draws the most attention will be the one your dog is wearing. And with endless pop culture moments to draw from this year, there’s no shortage of trend inspiration to help you choose the perfect costume for your dog.
When you’re planning a look for your furry companion, you should consider the size of the dog, materials, and durability of the costume. “If you want to dress up your pup, make sure their costume is something that they are used to wearing, [is] comfortable, and doesn’t restrict movement — like going potty, or drinking water,” Dogtopia environmental biologist Lorraine Rhoads tells PEOPLE.
Rhoads suggests working ahead to get your dog used to their Halloween costume. “Set aside time to practice wearing the costume and watch for signs of anxiety. By slowly introducing the costume with positive reinforcement, your pup will begin to think that wearing a costume for a short time is fun and will win them affectionate attention,” she says.
Whether your dog will be dressed as Travis Kelce or The Bear this year, we’ve compiled the best picks across the best pop culture trends to make your pet stand out from the rest in the neighborhood.
Frisco Disco Ball Dog & Cat Costume
If you want to dance the night away like Barbie or you've caught a bad case of disco fever, we’d suggest a disco ball costume for your canine (see the adorable frock in action below on PEOPLE senior shopping writer Madison Yauger's Golden). Your dog will surely be the grooviest guest at the party.
The costume fits around your dog’s head and torso and stays in place with a firm velcro fastener. It does have a very bubble-like shape, so it would be best for less anxious dogs. And it can’t be machine washed, but the exterior polyester is easy to wipe down should any stains occur while your dog boogies the night away.
Price at time of publish: $12.59+
People / Madison Yauger
Bootique Cowboy 2-Piece Headpiece for Dogs & Cats
Made from just two components — a hat and bandana — this is a lightweight cowboy costume that shouldn’t bother most dogs (though an energetic pup could shake the hat off). It’s a cute and fairly secure costume (it's easy to reattach) that will lasso some compliments for sure.
Price at time of publish: $7.50+
Frisco Front Walking Workout Girl Dog & Cat Costume
If you’re feeling an ‘80s retro vibe for your pup, this workout costume is totally rad. Your dog can step into the body portion of the costume and the blonde wig headpiece has a chin strap to secure it in place. We were impressed with the variety of sizes and the whimsical nature of this vintage look.
Price at time of publish: $9.59+
Bootique Prisoner Costume for Dogs & Cats
This costume is all bark and no bite. It comes with a shirt, hat, and a sign that says “bad pet” with the option to write in what your dog is being charged with. For example, you might write “deconstructed my duvet,” but we digress. You can also throw the cloth parts of this costume in the laundry machine for added convenience.
Price at time of publish: $12.50
Related: The 11 Best Dog Toys for Tough Chewers, Tested and Reviewed
Frisco Cozy Dinosaur Dog & Cat Hoodie
Our canine companions aren't nearly as scary as a T-Rex, but they sure look cute dressed as one. The furry sleeves on this adorable dino costume are so soft, and the reflective scales add a bit of a safety element because they will be more visible at night if you take your dog trick-or-treating.
Price at time of purchase: $11.39
People / Dhara Patel
California Costume Collections Holy Hound Pet Costume
Just because you dress your dog like a bishop doesn’t mean they’ll act like a saint. But it’s a hilarious costume, so you might as well. The Schitt’s Creek finale earned jaw-dropping praise in part due to Moira Rose’s wedding getup — and your dog can rock the same look via the holy hound costume. It features a bishop’s hat and cape with golden and red accents for a pop of color on All Hallows Eve. However, the design of this costume limits movement, so it likely will not suit spunky dogs.
Price at time of purchase: $19.99
Kuoser Cozy Dog Winter Coat - Pink
This is actually a really versatile costume option because it can serve many trends. Whether you want your dog to match Barbie’s signature plaid outfit, or channel Sofia Richie’s quiet luxury vibe, the costume also serves as a good extra layer for your dog when it gets colder out. The fleece lining will keep your pup warm, while the polyester exterior is water-resistant and has a reversible design — plaid on one side, solid pink on the other.
Price at time of publish: $19.99+
Seasons Dog Cook Costume
If you binge-watched The Bear, perhaps a chef costume is the missing ingredient to your holiday soirée. This adorable chef costume would make even Masterchef’s Gordon Ramsey smile; the puffy hat in particular is sure to get lots of laughs. To create a fun photo, you could also place a tray of dog treats next to your pooch (if you can stop them from eating them right away).
Price at time of purchase: $9.99
Bootique Pumpkin Hoodie for Dogs & Cats
Another cozy dog hoodie we love is this pumpkin pick which is perfect for Fido to wear while curling up next to you to watch your favorite classic Halloween movie. With the face of a jack-o'-lantern on the back and a little sprout on the hood, this hoodie is as adorable as it is comfortable (Yauger's dog took a three-hour nap cozied up in the festive hoodie).
Price at time of purchase: $10
People / Madison Yauger
Bootique UFO Alien Costume for Dogs & Cats
We won’t say the UFO costume is out of this world — that would be far too cheesy. But it will certainly draw some second glances and countless Instagram likes. With an entire spaceship and alien sitting atop your dog’s back, this costume is memorable. That said, it’s a larger costume, so if your dog is on the smaller side, it might be a little cumbersome for walks or other activities.
Price at time of publish: $14
Kuoser Dog Tuxedo Suit and Bandana Set
Any dog will look dapper wearing this tailored suit costume. Whether you’ve been swept up in the resurgence of Suits or are invested inThe Golden Bachelor, this is a fun way to give your dog some business style this Halloween. The suit is actually a harness which makes it a great costume to walk your dog around the neighborhood while trick-or-treating. The bandana with the bow tie and shirt can also be worn separately for dogs who don’t like the harness.
Price at time of purchase: $20.99
Frisco Front Walking Granny Dog & Cat Costume
Calling all grannies! This adorable costume can transform your dog into one of The Golden Girls, with arms, a gray wig, and smock dress to boot. The costume fits lightly around the dog’s neck and hangs down so it doesn’t restrict movement too much, and the wig can be secured with an adjustable string under their chin.
Price at time of publish: $9.59+
Frisco Happy Cow Dog & Cat Costume
Transforming your dog into a different animal at Halloween has no business being as funny as it is, and yet this cow costume will bring the house down. With a cow ear headpiece and udder on the belly strap, this costume mostly just sits on the dog’s back so it doesn’t restrict movement in any way. And if you’re a fan of Chick-fil-A, we suggest you add an “Eat Mor Chikin” sign to this ensemble.
Price at time of publish: $8.99+
People / Madison Yauger
Bootique Banana Costume for Dogs & Cats
This banana costume is almost too funny for public consumption. If you stop laughing long enough to make it out of the house with your dog wearing this costume, you’ll be happy to know it’s actually quite secure with two velcro straps that hold it in place on their torso.
Price at time of publish: $11
California Costumes UPS Dog Costume
This costume turns the tables on your dog chasing the mailman and transforms them into the mailman (or in this case, a UPS person). Made with polyester and polyurethane foam arms, this costume fits around your dog’s legs and fastens with velcro behind their neck. And if you want to match with your dog, might we suggest going as Paulette Bonafonté and Kyle O'Boyle of Legally Blonde.
Price at time of purchase: $14.87+
Mogoko Funny Dog Shark Costume
Alexa: play Baby Shark. Your dog is going to catch all the laughs with this adorable shark costume. The fleece material makes this outfit a total winner because it’s comfy for your dog and machine washable — plus if you live in a cold climate, it will keep your pup warm. It fits over their head and front arms like a sweatshirt, but with the flair of Jaws.
Price at time of publish: $13.68+
Pets First NFL AFC West Mesh Jersey For Dogs
Listen, you don’t have to be a sports fan to know the latest with the Kansas City Chiefs (thank you, Taylor Swift). So, if you want your dog to represent your favorite tight end (or any other team for that matter) this Halloween, a football jersey for your dog is the way to go. It’s lightweight and fairly breathable so your dog should be comfortable wearing it all night long.
Price at time of publish: $16.19+
Things to Consider When Buying Halloween Costumes for Dogs
People / Erica Reals
Safety
There are several safety considerations you should keep in mind when buying a costume for your dog. “The best materials for dog costumes are sturdy and simple,” says Rhoads. “Materials that cannot be easily chewed apart, well-sewn seams, and non-toxic materials are best.” She also suggests adding “a light to your leash or something reflective to your dog’s costume so you both can be seen at night” (such as the reflective spots on our dragon costume). Other safety considerations include having an ID tag attached to your dog’s costume “if they are not microchipped to ensure that they can find their way back to you if you get separated,” Rhoads says.
Size
The size of your dog will also help you choose which costume will be the best fit. If your dog is small in stature, you might want to skip a large headpiece that could put pressure on their necks. “Don’t use a dog costume that is not the right size or too heavy for your pup,” says Rhoads. On the other hand, you should look for something sturdy to secure the costume on a larger dog — for instance, a thicker velcro strap, like the ones on the banana and UFO costumes.
Durability
Additionally, you might want to think about the durability of a costume such as its ability to be washed, and not be chewed through. Certain materials are going to be a little more durable like fleece, leather, and cotton, but most costumes are made with a blend of polyester so your dog should always be supervised so they don’t accidentally chew and swallow harmful materials (like hair from a wig for instance!). You should also keep in mind whether the costume can be easily washed, since we’re dealing with animals here, and they can be messy.
Take Our Word for It
Madison Yauger is a senior shopping writer who’s extensively covered pet behavior and wellness, and tested hundreds of pet products such as the best dog supplies, calming dog beds, and more. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources. For this story, she spoke to Dogtopia environmental biologist Lorraine Rhoads, as well as heavily researching the market of dog costumes to determine the best picks for different pups (and their humans!).
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