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Before You Dress Up Your Dog: Safety First
Dog costumes are fun, but your dog's comfort and safety come first. Before putting any costume on your pet, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Never force it. If your dog freezes, cowers, tries to remove the costume, or shows signs of stress (lip licking, yawning, tucked tail), take it off. Not every dog enjoys wearing clothes.
- Ensure a proper fit. Costumes that are too tight restrict movement and breathing. Costumes that are too loose can trip your dog or get caught on objects.
- Avoid small, detachable parts. Buttons, googly eyes, beads, and other decorations can be chewed off and swallowed.
- Keep airways clear. Nothing should cover or restrict your dog's nose, mouth, or eyes.
- Supervise at all times. Never leave your dog unattended in a costume.
- Do a test run. Put the costume on for a few minutes at home before the big event so your dog can get used to it.
With those basics covered, here are our 15 favorite picks for 2022.
Classic Favorites
1. Pumpkin Costume
The timeless choice that works for every breed and size. A simple orange pumpkin body with a green stem hat. Easy on, easy off, and universally recognizable.
Buy the Pumpkin Costume on Amazon
2. Hot Dog Costume
Your dog dressed as a hot dog. It never stops being funny. The bun-shaped body piece slides on easily and most dogs tolerate it well because it does not cover the legs or face.
Buy the Hot Dog Costume on Amazon
3. Bat Wings
A simple harness-mounted set of black bat wings. Minimal coverage means maximum comfort, and the visual effect is surprisingly impressive, especially on black dogs.
Buy the Bat Wings Costume on Amazon
4. Bumble Bee
Yellow and black striped body with wings and antennae. A classic that works particularly well for smaller breeds. Look for versions where the antennae are securely attached and not easy to chew off.
Buy the Bumble Bee Costume on Amazon
5. Lion Mane
A plush mane that fits around your dog's head and transforms them into the king of the jungle. This works especially well for golden-colored dogs. Make sure the elastic is snug but not tight, and that it does not cover the ears completely.
Pop Culture Picks
6. Superhero Cape
A simple cape with a superhero emblem. Capes are one of the most dog-friendly costume options because they do not restrict movement, do not cover the face, and are easy to put on and remove.
Buy the Superhero Cape on Amazon
7. Dinosaur (T-Rex) Costume
A green or brown bodysuit with a plush spine ridge, tail, and hood. One of the most popular dog costumes of the past several years. Look for versions with an open face design so your dog's vision and breathing are unobstructed.
Buy the Dinosaur Costume on Amazon
8. Pirate Costume
Complete with a tiny hat and a striped shirt. Pirates are a perennial favorite because the costume pieces are simple and most dogs handle the loose-fitting shirt without issue. Skip versions that include an eye patch.
Buy the Pirate Costume on Amazon
9. Cowboy Rider
A plush cowboy figure that sits on your dog's back, creating the illusion of someone riding your dog like a horse. This is a crowd favorite and works well for medium to large dogs.
Buy the Cowboy Rider Costume on Amazon
10. Ghost
A simple white sheet-style costume with eye holes. Surprisingly effective and easy to make at home if you prefer a DIY approach. Keep it short enough that your dog can walk freely without stepping on it.
Buy the Ghost Costume on Amazon
Creative and Unique
11. Taco Costume
A taco shell with plush lettuce, tomato, and cheese toppings. Flat-bodied and easy for dogs to wear. Works especially well for Dachshunds and Corgis.
Buy the Taco Costume on Amazon
12. Shark Fin
A simple fin that straps to your dog's back. Minimal coverage, maximum impact. One of the best options for dogs who do not tolerate full costumes. Just a fin and you are done.
Buy the Shark Fin Costume on Amazon
13. UPS Delivery Driver
A brown shirt with the familiar shield logo. Bonus points if you attach a small cardboard box. This is the perfect costume for dogs who love greeting the delivery person at the door.
Buy the UPS Driver Costume on Amazon
14. Spider
A harness-mounted set of extra legs that makes your dog look like a giant spider. This one is surprisingly effective at night and has been the star of many viral videos for good reason.
Buy the Spider Costume on Amazon
15. Witch Hat and Cape Set
A pointed hat paired with a small cape. Simple, elegant, and one of the easiest costumes to put on and take off. The hat is the trickiest part -- look for versions with a chin strap that keeps it in place without being uncomfortable.
Buy the Witch Hat and Cape on Amazon
Halloween Night Safety Tips
Beyond costume safety, keep these tips in mind for Halloween night itself:
- Keep candy out of reach. Chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free candy), and raisins are all toxic to dogs. Wrappers can also cause intestinal blockages.
- Secure your dog during trick-or-treating. The constant doorbell ringing and parade of costumed strangers can be stressful. Some dogs do best in a quiet room away from the front door.
- Update ID tags and microchip information. Halloween is one of the highest-risk nights for lost pets due to doors opening frequently and startling noises.
- Skip the glow sticks. While generally low in toxicity, the liquid inside glow sticks tastes terrible and causes drooling and agitation if a dog bites into one.
- Watch for decorations. Fake cobwebs, candles, and small decorations can be ingested or cause burns.
Have Fun With It
Halloween should be enjoyable for both you and your dog. Choose a costume that fits well, does not cause stress, and lets your dog move, see, breathe, and do their business without obstruction. When in doubt, keep it simple -- even a festive bandana counts as a costume, and your dog will thank you for it.