Halloween is the perfect opportunity to dress up in a costume - but it's not a holiday just for humans. Pet Halloween costumes are all the rage in recent years, and there's lots of unique and fun Halloween costumes for dogs, cats, ferrets and other pets.
Toto and Dorothy
Going to a Halloween party for pets? Consider a couples' Halloween costume get-up with owner and dog. Dress up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (made even more humorous if a man dresses as Dorothy) and get a small basket, lined with gingham fabric. Carry the dog around in the basket for a scene straight out of the Wizard of Oz.
Another twist on this pet Halloween costume theme? Get a Dorothy Halloween costume for the dog, and the owner can dress up as Toto.
Gum on the Bottom of a Shoe
Get an all-pink doggy T-shirt or sweater. For small dog, you can dress him or her in an all pink baby "onesie" and unsnap a couple of the snaps at the crotch of the onesie to make a hole for the dog's tail.
Then, get a pink dog harness and sew, glue or strap a shoe onto the harness. Then dress the dog with the harness and you've got a dog with a unique Halloween costume - gum on the bottom of a shoe!
The Baby Dog Halloween Costume
Some dog owners really feel like their dog is their "baby," and for these owners, a baby costume is a very fitting pet costume for Halloween!
Dress the dog in baby clothes, and don't forget the clip-on pacifier, baby bonnet, and stroller!
Buy a Dog's Halloween Costume
In recent years, pet Halloween costumes have become very popular. Virtually all pet stores - including Petco and PetSmart - carry a selection of Halloween costumes for dogs and even stores like Target now carry Halloween costumes for pets.
For the best selection and for some truly unique pet costumes, purchase a dog's Halloween costume online. And be sure to shop for a pet's Halloween costume early in the season to get the best size selection and to allow time for delivery.
Making Your Own Pet Halloween Costume
In some areas, Halloween costumes for dogs and other pets can be a bit difficult to find and not all pet owners are crafty enough to make a handmade pet costume for Halloween.
Instead, consider getting a Halloween costume for a child or baby and altering the costume to fit the dog. The key to altering a child's Halloween costume to fit a dog involves purchasing a costume that's slightly larger than what the dog needs, and then tack the costume in strategic locations for a custom fit.
Generally speaking, most Halloween costumes for children will need some of the following alterations:
- Take up the sleeves
- Hem the costume to make it better fit the dog's length
- Take in the costume at strategic places to help it better fit the dog's girth
In addition, the chest of the Halloween costume may need to be taken in a bit, because if the costume fits over the dog's shoulders and back, the chest of the costume will dangle because the dog's legs are set in the front - not to the sides, like a child's arms.
Halloween Costumes for Cats
Cat owners may have a difficult time locating a cat Halloween costume, though there are many websites that sell costumes for cats around Halloween. Stores usually stock just a few cat costumes for Halloween, and they tend to sell very quickly.
Fortunately, most Halloween costumes for a small dog are the perfect size to serve as a cat's Halloween costume.
Related Reading
Animal lovers may also enjoy reading about the World Wildlife Fund's new free pumpkin carving patterns. The free printable pumpkin carving stencils are available for downloading to anyone who's looking for a cute animal-themed Jack-o-Lantern pattern!
Visit the Haunted Halloween Page for more information on hosting a Halloween party for pets, more costume ideas for dogs, pumpkin carving tips and more!
