What could be more fun than choosing your own Halloween costume? Choosing one for your dog, of course! Seeing your pup dressed up for spooky season is adorable but finding the right costume that prioritizes their safety and comfort is essential.
If you are looking for some dog costume inspo, we’ve compiled our top five options that can help make for a happy and safe Halloween for your pup.
Keep in mind that the best costumes for dogs are those that won’t restrict breathing and that allow them to move and behave just as they would without the costume on. It is also important that their ears, eyes, and paws remain free of any constrictive or obstructive costume material.
To help your pup get used to a costume, it should ideally be introduced gradually, especially since some dogs need time to adjust to new textures. Start by allowing them to sniff out the costume and work your way up to wearing the costume for a minute or two, rewarding them along the way. From there, you can increase the time they wear the costume, but look for signs of discomfort, such as shaking, itching, or trying to shake it off.
READ MORE: Trick or Treat: Get Your Dog Ready for Halloween
1. DOG SUPERHERO HALLOWEEN COSTUME
If your pup doesn’t typically enjoy wearing clothing, a superhero costume can be a great way to get them all dressed up without the discomfort. A cape attached to their collar or placed around their shoulder and secured with Velcro can help prevent any pressure on their neck that could restrict breathing.
When choosing a cape, opt for one that is lightweight and allows for full freedom of movement. Also, make sure that it is short enough so that it doesn’t reach your dog’s feet while they walk, preventing them from tripping on it. If you plan to go out on Halloween night, a reflective or glow-in-the-dark cape can be a great choice, but you can also add reflective tape to a cape for extra visibility if needed.
Optional: Add a superhero mask that is comfortably secured around their head and that has large enough eye holes for clear visibility. Depending on your dog’s comfort level, it may only stay on just in time to snap a quick picture.
Image courtesy of: @dogtopia.ellisville
2. PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN COSTUME FOR DOGS
What better way to celebrate Halloween than with a classic pumpkin! This can be a great option since you can customize it to match your pup’s comfort level.
If your dog isn’t big on clothing, a pumpkin-patterned bandana secured to their collar or a pumpkin headpiece, like this pup at Dogtopia of Olathe, can be a great choice.
If your dog is comfortable wearing a costume, look for one made from soft material that keeps their legs free, uses Velcro straps rather than tight elastics, and is the correct size so they can walk and sit comfortably.
Avoid pumpkin costume designs that include plastic pieces, sequins, or stems, as these can pose a choking hazard if they can be easily chewed off.
Image courtesy of: @dogtopia_midlothian
3. DOG COWBOY COSTUME
Turn your dog into a star of the Wild West with an adorable cowboy costume! One of the key pieces of the costume is the cowboy hat, so look for one made of soft felt and adjustable with an elastic chin strap that can sit gently around your dog’s head and under their chin without slipping into their ears.
To give the full cowboy look, pair the cowboy hat with a red banana that ties loosely around your pup’s neck or on their collar. Some cowboy dog costumes fit on like a clothing piece with mini arms attached, which can also be a cute option if your pup is comfortable with it, such as this cowboy costume on this sweet pup at Dogtopia of Rocklin.
Image courtesy of: @dogtopiaofcrestview
4. FOOD-RELATED DOG COSTUME (PIZZA, DONUT, ETC.)
Dressing your dog up as a favorite food item is always a crowd-pleaser. Typically, you will find food costumes in the form of a plush pizza slice, donut, taco, hot dog, or even a piece of bread, like these fun costumes on the pups at Dogtopia of Canton.
What can be great about this type of costume is that it is lightweight, soft, and can be secured around your pup’s collar or with a soft Velcro on their body. Plus, it can be easily removed if you find your pup isn’t feeling it anymore.
Images courtesy of: @dogtopia_midlothian; @dogtopialex; @dogtopiasouthbay; @dogtopiaofshrewsbury
5. DOG PRINCESS COSTUME
Channel your dog’s inner royalty on Halloween with a princess costume! To create this costume that remains comfortable and easy to walk in, choose a lightweight tutu made from soft tulle that you can place around your dog’s collar. Pair it with a small, flexible crown that they can wear on their head, tied with expandable elastic.
Be sure to position the tutu away from your pup’s face to avoid irritation and look for any signs of discomfort while they’re wearing it.
Image courtesy of: @dogtopia_midlothian
HALLOWEEN AT DOGTOPIA
We love celebrating this spooktacular day at daycare! Reach out to your local Dogtopia to book a day of daycare so your pup can join in on all the festivities. Heading out trick-or-treating or hosting a Halloween party? Find out how an overnight stay at Dogtopia can be a great solution to keep your pup happy and safe.
