What do a pirate, spider, and guitar player have in common? They're adorable social media-ready pet costumes we can't get enough of! When you’re preparing for Halloween, you can’t leave out your dog. Whether you want to match your kids’ costumes to your pups’, or your dog is your child, you gotta have your pets participate in the seasonal festivities.
So if you want to dress up your dog to trick or treat (let’s be honest, there’ll probably be more treats than tricks!), get lots of belly scratches and attention at the harvest festival, or have an impromptu Halloween photoshoot, Wish has got you covered.
As your dog’s official stylist, there are many different directions you could go in for their Halloween look. Get your dog a costume that matches yours or reflects his or her personality. Whether your chosen theme is cute, funny, or spooky, a dog Halloween costume is sure to make for some fun memories and priceless photos.
So, if your dog will agree to be styled up, we’ve got the guide for you.
First, is your dog fussy about outfits? If your dog has a history of biting or pulling off winter coats or rain jackets, the odds are that they won’t like a complex Halloween costume. In that case, the simpler, the better: just go with a cute ear band or a festive bandana. Snap a photo, and then remove the costume. This is probably the best type of costume for very young puppies or untrained dogs.
But if your dog can handle a more complex costume, you’ve got more options! To help narrow them all down, consider the following factors:
Make sure your desired costume comes in the right size for your dog. If your dog is going to be wearing the costume for more than a few minutes, make sure it will be comfortable. You may have to put the collar or harness over the costume. It’s great if the fabric is stretchy or adjustable so it won’t be too tight or loose. Ideally, your dog will be able to fit into it next year, too.
When it comes to safety, pay attention to the details. If your dog is a runner, he or she might get caught on any loose or hanging costume parts. Note, any small parts that could break off and present a choking hazard. Costumes tend to get hot, especially on our furry friends. They already have a coat of fur, so it can feel like they’re wearing another. Monitor your dog to ensure they don’t get overheated in their costume. If your doggie starts panting more than usual, remove the outfit.
Now that the practical stuff is out of the way, you can have fun with the theme!
Choosing a Halloween costume for your dog should be fun. So without further ado, here are 11 Halloween dog costume ideas!
If your dog is naturally silly, lean into their personality with a goofy costume. Any costume with arm attachments looks so funny on our four-legged friends. When they walk straight toward you, it really looks like a little human waddling! Rock out in a cute guitar player costume, complete with a wig and arms strumming a plushie guitar. Or dress him up as a puppy pirate with a plushie hook for a hand!
Consider the switcheroo: dress your dog up as a human while you wear a dog costume. Dog costumes for humans can be as simple as a T-shirt that says something to the effect of, “I’m not really a human, I’m a [insert favorite dog breed].” Go all out with a dog mask or full-body dog costume, complete with a tail.
It’s also funny to dress up a dog as another animal – like a horse with a plushie cowboy riding atop him! Or, if your dog doesn’t like putting his paws through the leg holes, a simpler animal costume is a lion. It’s perfect for yellow labs or any dog with tawny beige fur. Simply attach the mane and a tail scruff, and you’ve got a lion at the end of your leash.
If your dog is lovable and adorable but has a knack for creating trouble, dress him up all spooky to reflect his mischievous energy.
Your dog could go as a skeleton this Halloween wearing a skeleton onesie! This costume is super simple and doesn’t require any accessories. When you’re walking your dog in the dark, and the street light catches the white of the bones on the onesie, it’ll send shivers down the spine of unsuspecting neighbors. It’s even spookier if your dog has dark fur to make the skeleton really pop!
On the flip side, a black spider costume will really stand out on dogs with lighter fur. Think about it: when it comes to large dog costume ideas, a spider the size of a big dog is pretty scary no matter how cute your dog is.
Famous horror villains come in the form of dog costumes, too. Terrorize your neighborhood by dressing your pup up as the villain from your favorite horror movie or make up an entirely new Halloween alter-ego for your pup!
Finally, you can’t go wrong with the classic Halloween colors of orange and black.
A Jack-O-Lantern costume is super cute for any dog – especially if they are a bit on the rounder side. Take photos of them in a Jack-O-Lantern costume next to your pumpkin decorations, or let your pup pick your pumpkin from the patch while wearing it!
Witch puppy costumes, complete with hats and capes, are fun and easy to coordinate with black with orange accents. For two doggies who like to stir up trouble, witches are the perfect dog couple Halloween costumes. If you want to match all your pets, the same costume may fit large cats, puppies, and small dogs alike. And, of course, when you wear a witch costume yourself, your dog will look like a “mini-me.”
There are plenty of standard dog costumes in big box stores, but your ideal dog costume might be online. You may be surprised at what Wish has in store for you and your pup this Halloween season.
Designed to delight, the Wish app has incredible deals year-round for pets and their human companions. Start browsing to find your pup’s perfect costume today!