Pet Halloween Costumes: 25 Ideas Dogs and Cats Will Tolerate

Pet Halloween costumes

Most pets hate costumes. The trick is to dress the collar rather than the animal - a bandana, a ruff or a clip-on reads just as well in photos and comes off in a second.

We don't sell costumes - we make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house, printed in the UK - so nothing below is a sales pitch for an outfit.

Never leave a dressed-up pet unattended, and take it off the moment they stop enjoying it.

We don't sell costumes - but we do the rest

Banners, cake toppers, pin badges and cards for the party itself, designed in house and printed in the UK.

Shop party supplies

Collar and bandana only

  • An orange bandana with a drawn pumpkin face.
  • A black cape clipped to the collar for a tiny vampire.
  • A ruff of black felt for a very small Dracula.
  • A bat wing clip attached to the harness.
  • A spider with felt legs stitched to a bandana.
  • A skeleton bandana printed with bones.
  • A witch hat clipped - not tied - to the collar.

Easy DIY dog costumes

  • Pumpkin: an orange dog t-shirt with a drawn face.
  • Ghost: a light cut-down sheet with generous eye holes.
  • Lion: a mane cut from a brown fleece, slipped over the head.
  • Bee: a yellow top with black tape stripes.
  • Scarecrow: a checked shirt with straw at the sleeves.
  • Hot dog: a felt bun strapped either side of the body.
  • Mummy: soft bandage wraps loose enough to walk in.

Cat-friendly ideas

  • A tiny witch hat on the collar and nothing else.
  • A bat wing clip - two seconds on, two seconds off.
  • A bow tie in orange and black.
  • A pumpkin collar charm.
  • Honestly, black cats need no costume at all.

Matching owner and pet

  • Skeleton and skeleton, both printed.
  • Witch and black cat.
  • Vampire and small bat.
  • Scarecrow and farmyard dog.
  • Ghost and ghost, both in cut sheets.

Keeping it safe

  • Nothing over the eyes, ears or mouth.
  • No small parts they could chew off.
  • Check they can walk, sit and lie down in it.
  • Try it on for a minute a few days before, with treats.
  • Take it off as soon as they look uncomfortable.
  • Keep chocolate and sweets well out of reach all evening.

Shop party supplies

How to write it so it lands

  • Practise wearing it for one minute, with treats, a few days early.
  • Photograph quickly, then take it off.
  • Keep sweets and chocolate out of reach all night.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest pet Halloween costume?

A bandana with a drawn pumpkin face or a small cape clipped to the collar. Both photograph well and come off in a second.

Are Halloween costumes safe for dogs?

They can be, as long as nothing covers the eyes, ears or mouth, there are no chewable small parts, and the dog can walk, sit and lie down normally. Never leave them dressed up unattended.

Will a cat wear a Halloween costume?

Usually not. Stick to a collar accessory - a tiny hat, a bow tie or a pumpkin charm - and take it off if they object.

What are good matching owner and pet costumes?

Witch and black cat, vampire and bat, or two skeletons. They read instantly and need nothing more than one accessory each.

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