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You haven’t truly embarrassed your dog until they’ve waddled down the street dressed as a hot dog. From bat wings to pumpkin suits that scream “please help me”, I’ve rounded up this year’s most unhinged and adorable dog Halloween costumes.
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Some are cute. Some are cursed. All are guaranteed to make you laugh (and possibly get side-eyed by your pup for a week). From easy getups to DIY Halloween costumes for dogs, I’ve got you and your spooky pup covered.
Americans spend over $700 million a year dressing up their pets for Halloween, which means you’re not alone in turning your dog into a burrito for laughs. You’re among millions of us who proudly prioritize costumes over canine dignity.
The No. 1 Reigning Champ: The Pumpkin Dog Costume
It’s the Mariah Carey of dog Halloween costumes. It comes back every fall, owns the spotlight, and no one can stop it.
According to those surveyed by the National Retail Federation, this bright orange puffball of a dog Halloween costume has held the #1 spot for a very long time (probably forever), and honestly… I get it.
It’s cute. It’s classic. And it makes your dog look like a seasonal snack.
This bright orange jack-o-lantern jacket is soft, breathable, and ridiculously cute. Plus, it comes with a tiny pumpkin hat. Easy to put on, easy to wash, and impossible to ignore.
Yes, this one is predictable, but don’t get comfortable. The next few dog Halloween costumes go off the rails fast.
9 Other Dog Halloween Costumes Everyone’s Barking About
These dog costume ideas didn’t take the crown, but they’re still absolute show-stealers, from spooky to snack-worthy. Some are adorable. Some are chaotic. All will make your neighbors stop mid-scroll (or sidewalk).
1. Hot Dog
A top pick for long-bodied dogs with no shame. Plush, hilarious, and topped with mustard, this dog costume turns your pup into a walking concession stand.
This plush, pullover bodysuit turns your dog into a snack, literally. Topped with mustard and relish, it comes in four sizes and might just make your pup consider self-cannibalism. This costume can also be repurposed for summertime backyard BBQs and ball games.
2. Bat
Lightweight wings = big drama. Great for black dogs or any pup with spooky vibes.
For dogs who prefer vibes over effort, this bat costume brings the drama without the drag. The wings are featherlight, the fit is chill, and the built-in D-ring means you’re still in control when your little gremlin tries to haunt the neighborhood.
3. Ghost
A Halloween staple that’s equal parts creepy and cute. Whether it’s a hoodie or a DIY sheet (more on that later), the ghost dog is always a vibe.
Boo! Spook your neighbors with a dog dressed as a ghost. This classic costume is a show-stopper that comes in seven sizes. This white hoodie has a ghost face on the backside, so they’ll seem just as scary from both sides.
4. Bumble Bee
Sweet, chaotic, and slightly buzzy. Bee costumes are great for playful pups who already have main-character energy. Bonus points if they chase themselves.
This cute costume is a yellow and black bee-striped shirt with a yellow pom-pom antennae headband. It even has mesh wings, adding to the bee-like effect. Nothing is sweeter than having your hound as your honey bee.
5. Spider
Equal parts hilarious and horrifying. Eight legs on a four-legged friend is just the kind of cursed content Halloween was made for.
This glowing spider costume lights up Halloween night with bold orange legs and LED details, which is great if you need additional visibility for extra spooky strolls. Lightweight, adjustable, and built for comfort, it fits medium to large dogs and even features a treat pocket.
6. Witch
Magical, moody, and perfect for dramatic dogs (you know the type). Bonus: you can coordinate with the whole family for a group costume win.
Turn your canine into a spellcaster with a witch dress and hat. This detailed purple and black outfit with gold accents is made for small dogs and just screams scary. The dress slides on, and the hat has a strap.
7. Lion
Instant jungle royalty. A fluffy mane transforms even the goofiest dog into the king (or queen) of the sidewalk safari. Dress up as a zookeeper or wear a safari jacket to create a parent-pet combo.
Have a Tiger King or Lion King fan in the family? This lion’s mane transforms your dog into a shockingly realistic jungle animal. It’s made for larger dogs with neck sizes ranging from 14 to 20 inches.
8. Devil
Red, bold, and full of chaos, just like your dog when the doorbell rings. This one’s made for pups who already act a little possessed.
This red and black vampire cape turns your pup into a spooky showstopper. Made from soft, comfy polyester with a dramatic stand-up collar, it’s easy to tie on and comes in sizes for small to large dogs. Perfect for Halloween parties, photos, giving your dog main-character villain energy, or just scaring your mother-in-law.
9. Superhero
Whether it’s a cape, a crown, or both, superhero costumes turn your pup into the four-legged icon they were born to be. Bonus points if they already think they run the house.
This shiny outfit comes in a range of sizes and has a crown! No matter what size doggo, they are sure to be a show-stopper. Now, if only it could make them do superhero tricks too!
Our First-Hand Experience With This Dog Costume
Costumes.com hooked us up with a Pet Justice League Wonder Woman cape, and honestly? It was the least offensive outfit my dogs have ever tolerated.
Barley tore through the house like a furry superhero, cape flying, toys squeaking, zero shame. For once, he didn’t act like he was being publicly humiliated… and yes, he looked ridiculously cute saving the day in our living room.
– Michelle Schenker, Dog Mom & Co-Founder of Canine Journal
12 DIY Dog Costume Ideas (For Lazy or Last-Minute Humans)
Sometimes the funniest dog Halloween costumes are made with whatever you’ve got lying around the house. These dog costume ideas are cheap, quick, and low-stress, because let’s be real, your pup is only wearing it for the photo anyway.
1. The Classic Sheet Ghost
What you’ll need: One white sheet + scissors.
Cut two eye holes in an old white sheet, toss it over your pup, and voilà: instant ghost. Just ensure their eyes and nose aren’t covered, and there’s enough room for walking.
2. Superdog with a Dish Towel Cape
What you’ll need: Dish towel or pillowcase + clip or safety pin.
Grab a red towel or pillowcase, clip it around their collar, and boom, your dog is ready to save the neighborhood (or at least chase squirrels in style).
3. The “Error 404: Costume Not Found” T-Shirt
What you’ll need: Plain t-shirt + marker.
Got a spare white tee? Write “Error 404: Costume Not Found” across it with a Sharpie. It’s lazy. It’s nerdy. And it’s hilarious.
4. Beanie Baby Throwback
What you’ll need: Cardstock or cardboard + red/white marker or paint + string.
Attach a DIY red “Ty” tag to your dog’s collar, and suddenly you’ve got the rarest Beanie Baby of them all. Millennials will cry.
This is my Dachshund, Chips, rocking her TY tag. Yes, this one was shop-bought, but you could easily make your own at home. Attach it to your dog’s collar, make it as big or small as you like, and suddenly your pup is an instant Beanie Baby.
It’s always a talking point when we’re out. Simple, funny, and guaranteed to grab attention.
5. Chef Pup
What you’ll need: Dish towel + ribbon or string + wooden spoon (props only).
Tie a dish towel around their neck like a tiny apron and hand them a wooden spoon (for photos only). Now your furry Gordon Ramsay is ready to bark at raw chicken.
6. Harry Potter Characters
What you’ll need: A scarf + old pillowcase + scissors + a sock + optional felt/paper ears + headband.
For the main man himself, just throw on a red-and-yellow scarf and borrow a pair of glasses. Suddenly, your dog’s not chasing squirrels; he’s chasing Voldemort. Bonus points if they refuse to sit still for photos, just like the real Harry.
For Dobby, cut holes in an old pillowcase for your pup’s head and legs, and stick a sock to their costume for extra Potter points. Add floppy paper or felt ears on a headband if you’re feeling crafty. Your dog is now a free elf.
Think your pup has wizard potential? We’ve rounded up the best Harry Potter dog names, from Sirius to Snitch. Perfect for your little Gryffindog, Hufflepup, or Slytherhound.
7. Mummy Wrap
What you’ll need: Gauze, vet wrap, or toilet paper.
Wrap your dog loosely in white gauze or toilet paper for a quick and dirty mummy look. Pro tip: Use vet wrap or an elastic bandage to prevent it from slipping everywhere.
8. The Old Man
What you’ll need: Cardboard + marker + headband/collar + scarf.
Cut out a cardboard cane or glasses, attach them to a lightweight headband or collar, and toss a little scarf around your pup. Boom: instant grumpy grandpa.
9. Taco Pup
What you’ll need: Brown t-shirt + felt scraps (green, yellow, red) + glue/tape.
Cut out felt pieces for lettuce, cheese, and tomato, then tape or pin them to a brown t-shirt. Now your dog’s a walking taco.
10. Frankenweenie
What you’ll need: Dog-safe body paint (black/gray/white) + a steady hand.
Channel Tim Burton vibes by giving your dog a spooky stitched look with pet-safe, non-toxic body paint. Add a few faux “stitches” and shading for dramatic effect. Keep it simple and safe, because less is more.
This is Bonkers, my Bull Terrier mix, showing off his Frankenweenie scars for Halloween. The stitched-on look was done with pet-safe body paint, and it’s a surprisingly easy DIY if you want something spooky without a full costume.
A few simple lines transform any dog into a Tim Burton character, and Bonkers always gets extra attention (and a few laughs) when we take him out like this.
11. Martini Glass Pup
What you’ll need: White plastic e-collar + green socks + stuffing (socks/old fabric) + twig or dowel.
Turn that dreaded cone-of-shame into a Halloween masterpiece. Use a white plastic e-collar as the glass, stuff green socks to make “olives,” and tape them to a twig for the garnish. Suddenly, your dog is a classy cocktail.
12. NASA Astronaut Pup
What you’ll need: Two empty soda bottles + silver paint or foil + red/orange card + tape/straps.
Blast off! Strap two silver-painted soda bottles to your pup’s back, add red card flames at the ends, and you’ve got a jetpack fit for NASA. Suddenly, your dog is ready for spacewalks (or just neighborhood laps).
5 Safety Rules Every Dog Costume & Event Must Follow
The costumes are hilarious, but your dog’s safety and comfort matter more than the photo op. A stressed-out pup dressed as a hot dog is just sad.
1. Comfort Comes First
If your dog freezes, flops over, or gives you the death stare, that costume isn’t a winner. Test it before Halloween night, toss them a few treats, and make sure they can walk, sit, and do their business without turning into a tangled mess.
A good costume should be lightweight, breathable, and easy to put on or take off quickly.
If you’re looking for special Halloween dog treats, I recommend these tasty Blue Buffalo Boo Bars. The Boo Bars are a pumpkin and cinnamon crunchy dog treat, and you can share them with canine trick or treaters (with the owner’s permission, of course).
2. Safety Beats Style
Even the funniest outfit isn’t worth it if it puts your dog at risk. Avoid anything with small parts that could be chewed off, straps that can twist or choke, or masks that block vision.
Make sure your pup can see, breathe, and move freely. If you’re heading out trick-or-treating, reflective or bright colors help keep them visible after dark.
And one last reminder: chocolate is still toxic to dogs, so keep the candy bowl well out of reach.
Costumes are cute, but safety comes first. A light-up dog collar keeps your pup visible to cars, trick-or-treaters, and wandering ghosts. Bonus: they look ridiculously cool in the dark. Discover our top-rated light-up dog collars for nighttime safety!
3. Positive Reinforcement Wins
Dogs don’t care about Instagram likes, but they do care about treats. Reward them with dog-safe snacks as you get them dressed up, and continue to reward them when they wear the costume without fuss.
This turns the whole experience into something fun instead of stressful. If your dog still hates it, don’t force it. Sometimes a festive bandana or Halloween collar is the better option.
4. When Staying In
If you’re not taking your dog door-to-door, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. A steady stream of trick-or-treaters can still stress some dogs out.
Make sure your pup is comfortable around strangers, won’t bolt when the door opens, and won’t get spooked by the costumes. If your dog is nervous, keep them in another room with a chew toy or calming music.
Halloween can be a little too exciting or nerve-wracking for some dogs, with doorbells, costumes, and candy everywhere. Knowing how to calm a dog down and offering calming dog treats can help alleviate stress, allowing your pup to enjoy the fun without undue anxiety.
5. Give Trick-or-Treaters a Heads-Up
Not everyone loves dogs as much as you do, and some kids might be nervous about approaching a house with a barking pup.
To avoid surprises, consider posting a small sign at the end of your walkway or letting visitors know before they ring the bell. It sets expectations, keeps everyone calm, and makes the night smoother for both your dog and the kids.
Want the full scoop? Check out our complete guide to Halloween dog safety. It could save you (and your pup) a real scare.
Our Team’s Dog Costume Gallery
I couldn’t write about dog Halloween costumes without showing off a few from our own pack. Meet some of the pups behind the scenes at Canine Journal, because yes, we practice what we preach.
This is Falkor, our Poodle mix, proving that even monsters can look fabulous. The eyes may be scary, but the fluff levels are off the charts. More “cute chaos” than actual nightmare fuel.
Here is another photo of my two troublemakers, Chips and Bonkers, proving that Halloween costumes bring out their true personalities. Chips looks good enough to eat in his hot dog bun, while Bonkers has fully embraced his inner devil, horns, attitude, and all. Together, they’re the snack and the chaos.
FAQs About Dog Halloween Costumes
Got more questions about dog Halloween costumes? You’re not the only one! I’ve rounded up the most common ones below, and if I’ve missed yours, drop it in the comments. We love hearing your questions (and your funny costume stories).
What Is the Most Popular Dog Halloween Costume?
Year after year, the pumpkin takes the crown. It’s simple, bright, and instantly festive, which explains why it’s been the #1 dog Halloween costume for many years running.
Are Dog Halloween Costumes Safe?
Yes, as long as you choose wisely. Look for costumes that are lightweight, breathable, and don’t block your dog’s vision or movement. Avoid small pieces that could be chewed off, and never leave your dog unsupervised in a costume.
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Comfortable in a Costume?
If your dog freezes, flops over, or tries to rip the outfit off, that’s a clear “nope.” The right dog costume should let them walk, sit, and do their business without a problem. Always do a test run before Halloween night.
Can I Make a DIY Dog Halloween Costume at Home?
Absolutely! Some of the best dog costume ideas are DIY, like turning a sheet into a ghost, a towel into a cape, or a pillowcase into a Harry Potter–style Dobby look. Just stick to pet-safe materials and avoid anything too heavy or complicated.
What Should I Avoid Putting on My Dog for Halloween?
Skip anything with tight elastics, face masks, or dangling pieces that can trip them up. And while candy is tempting, keep it far away. Chocolate, xylitol, and even candy wrappers are dangerous for dogs.
What’s the Easiest Last-Minute Dog Costume?
A festive bandana, a superhero cape made from a dish towel, or even a DIY Beanie Baby tag can all pass as simple, low-effort dog costumes. Sometimes less really is more. Or last year’s costume is more than acceptable, Fido will not notice!
Keep the Fun Going All Year
Halloween isn’t the only time to celebrate your pup. There are plenty of pet holidays where costumes and silly photo ops are more than welcome. While you’re at it, make sure you’re ready for every season with our guide to holiday hazards, because tinsel and turkey bones aren’t as festive for dogs as they look.
When the spooky season winds down, keep the cozy vibes alive with our list of holiday movies to watch with your dog. And don’t forget the season of giving. Our ultimate gift guide for dogs is packed with toys, treats, and surprises that’ll have tails wagging straight into the New Year.
Share Your Spooky Side! I’ve shown you our favorite dog Halloween costumes, so now it’s your turn. Tell us what your pup is wearing this year, drop your funniest costume stories, or share your own dog costume ideas in the comments. Who knows, your dog might inspire next year’s list!
