I tested a bunch of cute dog Halloween costumes on my pooch — these 4 were my faves
My pup will do anything for a treat, including trying on a range of silly getups ahead of trick-or-treating.
You may have your own Halloween costume picked out, but what about your dog's? Yes, your pup can get in on the festivities with an outfit of their own. Will they enjoy it? Depends on the dog. Will you enjoy it? Absolutely. I've dressed up my dog for the last three years, and it always puts a smile on trick-or-treaters' faces.
These days, you can find pet costumes at Chewy, Petco, Target, Amazon and more. And there are a lot of options! Over the years, we've collected quite a few, but I convinced my poodle to try on four of our favorites so you can really see what they look like before buying.
A few tips for dressing up your pup, though: First, if your dog has never worn clothes before, they might not be too keen on a costume. That said, if you want to give it a shot, stick to 'fits without hats, hoods or headbands, or anything that wraps around their legs. A simple costume that only touches their torso, like this hot dog costume or butterfly wings, is less likely to bother them. Another festive option: Try a simple Halloween bandana to get them in on the fun. And if your dog doesn't like it? Oh well, you tried. Perhaps you could give them a little Halloween treat instead.
That said, if your dog is anything like mine — think sweaters in the fall, boots in the winter and no rainy-day walks without his raincoat — you could really try any costume. Take a look at our top picks, which will still ship in time for the big day!
1. Teddy Bear
This is a "walking costume," and these are some of my favorites. Essentially, they attach to your dog's front legs and have two dangly arms at the top that don't attach to anything. When your dog walks, the arms flail and it looks as if they're walking on their hind legs. Go ahead, giggle a little (or a lot).
Quick warning: This runs a little small. We ended up choosing a size medium for my 12-pound dog. The hat with the attached teddy bear ears has holes for your dog's real ears, should you want to stick them through. It's especially nice for dogs with prick ears, like corgis or German shepherds.
2. Mail Carrier
OK, this is my favorite dog Halloween costume ever! As a shopping editor, I'm always getting packages. This getup is another walking costume, complete with a pot belly on the front and arms that hold your latest "delivery." It's also my dog's least favorite, as the package sticking out in front confuses him (understandably). He's not totally sure how to walk with it on, although he does with some trepidation.
This adorable option tends to sell out fast, so if you see it in your dog's size, scoop it up ASAP. It comes with a hat that sits on your dog's head with the help of an elastic band that fits under their chin. Their front legs fit into the "pants."
3. Roast Chicken or Turkey
I originally bought Target's roast turkey costume last year, when I hosted my first Thanksgiving. However, I'm bringing it out this Halloween and calling it a roast chicken. Either way, it looks cute and my dog doesn't mind wearing it. The drumsticks are attached with velcro and crinkle and squeak, so he can play with them like a toy.
This turkey costume goes on with ease! It has two Velcro straps — one that fastens around your dog's neck, and another that goes around their belly. Again, the two drumsticks are removable. My dog is wearing a size small.
4. Walking Fried Chicken Bucket
Given my dog's fur color and curls, random strangers on the street often tell me that he looks like a little chicken nugget. So we've decided to lean into it with this fried chicken costume. I'm not sure why the bucket needs legs and googly eyes, but it's Halloween, and he looks finger lickin' good.
This juicy costume comes with the bucket suit, two drumsticks attached at the top and a drumstick headband. We opted for size small, but could have gone up to a medium.
