Halloween isn't just for humans anymore! An increasing number of pets owners will dress their dogs and cats in a Halloween costume this year.
Many chain pet stores like Petco and PetSmart carry a wide selection of dog Halloween costumes, and even a few Halloween costumes for cats. Even Target is now selling Halloween costumes for pets.
Ideas for Dog Costumes for Halloween
By far, the largest selection of Halloween costumes for cats and dogs can be found online. But some pet owners who are seeking a fun and unique pet Halloween costume idea can find it overwhelming to go through web page after web page of costumes.
Instead, find some inspiration in the following list of 50 fun Halloween costume ideas for dogs and cats. These costumes (and many more) can be found on websites including CostumeCraze.com and GlamourDog.com:
- Angel
- Bat
- Blue (from Blue's Clues)
- Bride
- Bumblebee
- Bunny Rabbit
- The Cat (from The Cat in the Hat)
- Cheerleader
- Clown
- Cow
- Crocodile
- Devil
- Dinosaur
- Dogtor
- Dora the Explorer
- Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz)
- Elephant
- Elf
- Fairy Princess
- Fireman
- Flower
- Football Player
- Frog Prince
- Groom
- Harry Potter
- Hot Dog
- Hula Girl
- Ladybug
- Leprechaun
- Lobster
- Maid
- Pig
- Pirate
- Prince
- Princess
- Prisoner
- Policeman
- Pumpkin
- Scarecrow
- Shark
- Skeleton
- Skunk
- Spider
- Spongebob Squarepants
- Superman
- Underdog
- Veterinarian
- "Watch" Dog
- Witch
- Wonder Woman
Pet Costume Ideas for the Dog Who Won't Wear Clothing
Okay, so not all dogs and cats are enthusiastic about the prospect of dressing up for Halloween. In fact, some pets will manage to wiggle out of their Halloween costume in half the time it took to dress them.
For the cat or dog who is more reluctant to wear an elaborate Halloween costume, consider one of the following alternatives:
- Find a pet Halloween costume consisting of a hat/headpiece and neck piece pair. HalloweenStreet.com features several dog Halloween costumes that don't involve actual clothing per se - just a hat/headpiece and neck piece set. Some pet Halloween costumes that fit into this category include a jester hat and collar, a spooky skeleton top hat, a devil horns headpiece and red cape, a witch hat (complete with an attached wig), or a witch hat and cape pair.
- Get a festive Halloween-themed pet bandanna. Virtually every dog or cat who will wear a collar will wear a bandanna. So for dogs and cats who absolutely refuse to wear clothing or a hat, this is a festive alternative that's sure to keep Fido or Kitty looking spooky on October 31.
- Get a Halloween-themed collar and leash set. A few dogs and cats are tough cookies who will squirm and scratch and bite at even a neck bandanna. For these pets, opt for a Halloween-themed collar and/or leash.
Dog owners may also enjoy reading Tips to Get a Dog Wear a Pet Halloween Costume.
Tips to Keep Dogs Safe During Halloween
Is that pet all dressed up in a Halloween costume with nowhere to go? It's best to leave the pets at home while trick-or-treating, as pets can become frightened and even aggressive by children in masks and costumes. And an overly enthusiastic goblin, ghost or ghoul may accidentally trip over a small dog on the approach to a trick-or-treating spot - yet another one of the many dangers pets face on Halloween.
Instead, arrange for a pet Halloween party at the dog park, or host a more formal invitation-only Halloween party for pets and their owners.
A perfect addition to a pet Halloween party are the World Wildlife Fund's new free pumpkin carving patterns. The free printable pumpkin carving stencils are available for downloading to anyone who's looking for a cute animal-themed Jack-o-Lantern pattern!
Visit the Haunted Halloween Page for more ideas for Halloween costumes for dogs, animal pumpkin carving patterns, pumpkin carving tips, a guide to a Halloween party for pets and more!.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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