The Best Halloween Costumes For Dogs That Are Sure To Steal The Show

Spooky season has arrived, and there’s nothing cuter than seeing dogs parading around the neighborhood wearing their Halloween costumes. There are hundreds of outfits for pets available today, making it possible to dress your dog up as anything from a fruity banana to a crime-fighting superhero, and the best Halloween costumes for dogs are creative while still being comfortable for your four-legged best friend. Our top pick is the Frisco Pumpkin Dog Costume, a classic, cute and comfortable outfit that you won’t mind repeating every Halloween.

The best Halloween costumes for dogs are creative while still being comfortable for your four-legged … [+] best friend.

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When picking a costume for your pet, their comfort and safety should be your top priority: “Even though we pet parents delight in dressing our fur babies up, keep in mind that not all pets enjoy the experience of being made to wear new and unfamiliar clothing or accessories,” says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, owner and chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. “Some pets find playing dress up stressful and may become anxious or fearful.” She recommends introducing costumes slowly in a calm environment and supervising your dog at all times when they’re wearing the outfit.

You’ll also want to keep sizing in mind as you shop. Costume sizes can vary significantly between brands, so it’s always a good idea to have your dog’s measurements handy to help you find the best fit.

If you’re ready to have a paw-some Halloween with your furry friend, these are the best Halloween costumes for dogs that you can buy this year.

Sizes: Extra-small to XXL | Number of pieces: 2 | Material: Polyester 

For a costume that’s both comfortable and cute, you can’t go wrong with this sweet pumpkin. The costume has two pieces—a body suit that straps into place around your dog’s neck and stomach, and a pumpkin stem headpiece that fastens under their chin. The outfit includes a smiling jack o’ lantern face on your pup’s back, as well as sequin green leaves around the neck, and there’s even a slot where you can thread your leash through as you go trick-or-treating.

It’s great for dogs of all sizes, and because it’s simple without any pieces hanging off, it’s comfortable for most pets to wear. Plus, it looks just as cute without the headpiece—handy if your pup doesn’t like having an accessory on their head. 

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Sizes: Extra-small to large | Number of pieces: 1 | Material: Polyester

Everyone you see is sure to chuckle at this dog Halloween costume, which makes it look like there’s a cowboy riding on your pup’s back. It comes in four different sizes, and the costume fits onto your dog like a harness, including a strap between their front legs to keep their rider in place. The cowboy will bounce around, holding onto his hat, as he rides your dog around the block, and in addition to being adorable, the costume is comfortable for dogs to wear.   

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Sizes: XX-small to 3XL | Number of pieces: 1 | Material: Not listed

It can be hard to find costumes to fit extra-large dog breeds like Great Danes, but this banana outfit comes in sizes up to 3XL, making it perfect for even the biggest pups. The largest size fits dogs up to 27 inches long with a 38-inch chest, but it’s an adorable option for small dogs, as well. 

The outfit has thick velcro straps that secure around your dog’s stomach and neck, and the top end of the banana sits on their head. Because the costume is all one piece, you don’t have to worry about a head accessory falling off, but you may need to readjust it occasionally as you walk around town on Halloween. 

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Sizes: Small to XXL | Number of pieces: 2 | Material: Polyester

You can turn your medium-sized pooch into a fearsome Stegosaurus with this fun costume—while it comes in sizes up to XXL, the maximum weight is only 85 pounds, so it’s not ideal for larger pups. The two-piece design includes a full body suit, complete with four leg holes and a tail, as well as a hood-style head accessory that velcros shut under your dog’s chin. 

The whole costume is made from thick fabric with a scaly print, and there’s even a row of scales that stand up along your dog’s back. Just keep in mind that the headpiece may slide down over your dog’s eyes if they bend over to sniff, so you’ll want to stay nearby for any necessary adjustments. 

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Sizes: Extra-small to large | Number of pieces: 2 | Material: Polyester

Smaller dogs will look particularly cute running around in this USPS delivery driver costume. The front-facing costume fits onto your dog’s front legs and around their neck, making it look like they’re a tiny person. The faux arms hold up a package (which can be detached, if needed), and the costume also comes with a cute little USPS hat. The cute outfit is easy to put onto your dog, thanks to its velcro straps, and it’s a perfect choice for any pup who likes to bark at the mailman. 

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Sizes: Small to 3XL | Number of pieces: 2 | Material: Not listed

Your female pup will be ready to fight crime in this pretty Wonder Woman costume. Based on the iconic DC character, the outfit includes a bodysuit with a red top and blue skirt, with the Wonder Woman logo displayed prominently on their back. It’s made from a high-quality fabric, and the body has two leg holes to keep the costume in place.

This costume is perfect if your whole family wants to dress up as superheroes, but you’ll want to measure your dog carefully to help you select the right size. The outfit does come with a headband, as well, but most people use the costume without it, as the piece falls off very easily. 

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Sizes: Small to extra-large | Number of pieces: 1 | Material: Polyester

If you want to wear a coordinating Halloween costume with your dog, this sweet Sulley costume from Monsters, Inc. gives you lots of options. The one-piece costume is bright blue with purple spots, and its hood has two plush horns that will stick out from your dog’s head. It secures around their stomach and chest with velcro straps, and there are four sizes available for different dog breeds. 

With your dog in this cute costume, you can easily dress up as Boo, the little girl from the film, by wearing purple leggings and a pink T-shirt. Alternatively, you can go out as Mike Wazowski, Sulley’s one-eyed, lime green bestie. 

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Sizes: Extra-small to XXL | Number of pieces: 2 | Material: Polyester

Your dog is sure to be the coolest pooch on the block with this light-up butterfly outfit. The two-piece design has a set of dainty wings that are held in place with two velcro straps, and they have built-in LED lights that make them glow at night—perfect if you’re going trick-or-treating. 

The costume also includes a headpiece with two cute antennas, and there are holes for your dog’s ears, making it more comfortable for them to wear. The design comes in a variety of sizes for both large and small dogs, and it’s sure to earn you lots of compliments on Halloween. 

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Sizes: Small to XL | Number of pieces: 1 | Material: Polyester and fleece

If your pup loves stopping at Starbucks to get a Puppuccino, this is the perfect creative costume for them. The cute outfit will turn your dog into a sweet “Puppy Latte,” complete with a straw sticking out of their head! The costume comes in four sizes, and it includes a coffee cup-inspired fleece bodysuit and a separate headpiece with an elastic strap. Just keep in mind that the headpiece does fall over easily since it’s fairly tall. 

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we love our furry friends, and while we want them to look adorable on Halloween, we also want them to feel safe and comfortable. For guidelines on choosing a Halloween costume for your dog, we spoke to two veterinarians, who offered guidance on keeping pets safe and out of trouble during spooky season.

As a professional product tester and the owner of two dogs myself, I’ve tested several of the costumes on this list, including the Frisco Pumpkin Dog Costume, and I can confirm that they’re well-made and comfortable for your dog to wear.

How We Chose The Best Halloween Costumes For Dogs

To find the best Halloween costumes for dogs, we looked for products that are cute, comfortable and safe for pets. We prioritized products that fasten securely onto your pet and have minimal pieces that your dog might be tempted to chew on. We also looked for options that come in a range of sizes to fit all dogs, as well as options without headpieces, which some pups don’t like.

Of course, we also wanted to provide a range of style options for your pet. We included pop culture and other trendy costumes, as well as classic options that can be worn year after year, helping to get your money’s worth from the outfit.

What To Look For In A Halloween Costume For Dogs Size

Halloween costumes for dogs typically come in a range of sizes, but it’s not always easy to find the proper fit for your pet, as the sizing isn’t standardized. Your dog might be a medium in one brand and a large in another, so it’s best to base sizing on your dog’s measurements. The good news is that most costumes offer a detailed sizing chart to help you find the appropriate fit for your pooch.

If your dog is between sizes, it’s best to choose a larger option to ensure their movement isn’t restricted. “It should be snug but not too tight, and it should allow for easy movement,” recommends Dr. Sarah Gorman, DVM, veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary.

Comfort

It’s also important to choose a costume that your dog will be comfortable wearing. You’ll want to ensure there aren’t any straps or elastics pinching your dog’s hair or skin, and if the costume includes a headpiece, check that it doesn’t block your dog’s eyes. “Make sure your dog can see clearly while wearing the costume,” recommends Dr. Gorman.

Our experts recommend avoiding any type of costume eyewear for dogs, as well: “If glasses or novelty goggles slip, they can cause serious ocular injuries like corneal ulcers or worse,” explains Dr. Greenstein. “Owners of brachycephalic breeds—Pugs, Frenchies, Persian cats, for example—with flat faces and prominent eyes would be wise to avoid novelty eyewear altogether.”

Safety

As you compare different costumes, consider your pet’s safety, especially if they’re prone to chewing. In general, it’s best to avoid costumes with small pieces that can be ripped off: “Many elaborate costumes can have small bits and baubles and trim that a curious pet could try to rip off and ingest,” says Dr. Greenstein. “Even high-end, well-constructed outfits can have buttons and pom poms that are not reliably secured and pose a risk for choking or GI obstruction.”

To keep your dogs safe while they’re in costume, you should always supervise them. “Never leave your dog unattended while they’re in a costume,” says Dr. Gorman. “Dogs may try to chew or remove the costume, which could lead to choking hazards or other injuries.”

What Is The Best Costume For Pets This Year?

There’s no shortage of dog Halloween costumes to choose from this year, and you can expect to see a lot of pop culture-inspired designs on October 31. “I have been loving all the pop-culture moments from this summer, which are serving as a major inspiration for Halloween,” says Jennifer Kovacs, vice president of Design, Collaborations and Omni Experience at Petco. She expects to see a lot of Barbie and Taylor Swift-inspired costumes this year.

There are plenty of other costumes that are sure to be a hit on Halloween, as well. The Hyde & EEK! LED Butterfly Dog Costume has cool light-up wings that are sure to turn heads, and the Nacoco Cowboy Rider Dog Costume will make everyone laugh as your dog zooms around like a bucking bronco.

Should Dogs Wear Halloween Costumes?

Our experts agree that it’s generally safe for dogs to wear Halloween costumes as long as they’re closely supervised. You may also want to have them wear the costume ahead of time to get comfortable wearing it. “If you’re not sure how your pet will react to a costume, it’s best to go slow and try a dress rehearsal in a calm, quiet setting, offering treats and praise at every step,” says Dr. Greenstein.

Even if your dog seems comfortable at first, you’ll still want to watch out for any signs of discomfort: “Pay close attention to your dog’s behavior while they’re in the costume,” recommends Dr. Gorman. “If they seem distressed, agitated or exhibit signs of discomfort, it’s best to remove the costume immediately.”

What Should I Be For Halloween With My Dog?

If you want to wear a coordinating costume with your pet, we particularly love the Monsters, Inc. Sulley Pet Costume. Your dog can go as the fuzzy blue monster, and you can put together an easy DIY costume as Boo, the adorable young girl from the film. Her signature look is easy to recreate—you simply need some light purple leggings, an oversized pink tee, and pigtails. Or, you can dress up as Mike Wazowski, another iconic character from the film.

Kovacs also suggested a few other fun pairings for humans and pets, including Barbie and Ken, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, or an alien and astronaut.

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