Pet Halloween Costumes: Cute or Scary?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - 12:00pm
Chihuahua Bee Halloween Costume

With Halloween just around the corner, you might be tempted to make your cat or dog a star by dressing him up in the cutest mini-sized costume you can find. But wait—is trick-or-treat apparel really safe for your furry friends?

Our experts suggest putting your pet in a costume only if you’re sure he will enjoy it. Some pets love the limelight: wearing a costume and posing for pictures is a blast! Others prefer to stick to their birthday suits for all occasions, and being dressed like a pumpkin for their pet parents’ amusement can cause unnecessary stress.

If you decide to have your pet wear a costume, here are some helpful safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Your pet’s Halloween garb should not constrict his movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Be sure to try on costumes in advance—and if your furry friend seems distressed, you’ll want to ditch the mini-pirate hat and vest.

  • Examine your pet’s costume and make sure it doesn’t have any small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get caught on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

  • IDs, please! Make sure your dog or cat has proper identification on underneath that cute costume. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost during Halloween festivities, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver.


For a complete list of animal safety guidelines for this spooky holiday, check out our expert Halloween Safety Tips for pet parents.

Tell us: Are you planning to dress up your pet for Halloween?

Tags: 
Pet Care

Comments

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 13:53 — John Thomas (Visitor)
ANYBODY who engages in ANY 'Halloween' related activities is totally brainwashed, and can't think for themselves. Mindless drones going along with it, because 'everybody else is doing it'. I see shops full of stupid Halloween stuff every year, more and more of it, whole aisles in the supermarkets devoted to this nonsense. It just shows how sad and empty people's lives are if this a highpoint of their year, it's pathetic. And no, I wouldn't dress up any of my pets, I don't want them to look like pathetic idiots either.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:27 — Robin Pasholk (Visitor)
You're the one who's brainwashed. Halloween is fun! I suggest that you 1. get an imagination; 2. get a LIFE! as opposed to your narrow mere existence.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 13:46 — burymeinpink (Visitor)
All Hallow's Eve, AKA Halloween has been around for centuries. The reasons of celebration have changed, but the holiday is still the same.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 13:57 — Joanne (Visitor)
Yes, I dress up my Shih Tzu, Chloe, and she is fine with it. She loves people (she's a Registered Therapy Dog) and loves the attention. She is a Gypsy Fortune Teller this year riding in a wagon float I made up to look like a gypsy wagon with crystal ball, Tarot cards, candle and tambourine props. She definitely turns heads! I started dressing up my dogs YEARS sgo before everyone was doing it and before they spld so many costumes in stores and online. I usually see my iwn costumes. If my dogs didn't like it, I wouldn't do it. We've won a number of BEST COSTUME awards. We have a ball being together.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:05 — Jane (Visitor)
How are "costumes" different than winter booties and jackets? I live waaay north and my pooches need booties to protect their paws and one needs a jacket. Neither one likes them but it's better than frost bite and better than keeping them locked up indoors all winter. I personally don't like fluffy,cute stuff even for myself let alone my dogs but that's a personal preference. Know your pet, see signs of stress, if you must put them in a pumpkin suit, train them slowly to enjoy it or at least not hate it and panic! Just like teaching them to like the groomer.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:21 — Alyssa (Visitor)
Costumes is for the human. if your pet likes it, it's because you tried it in the first place. they have fur, they don't need to wear clothes or costumes. i don't even find it cute. my kittens and dog look better without some silly human thing. i don't een have my pets dressed up in the sims and don't understand why people use their pets. yes, they are part of the family, but they are not your playthings. As it is, too many kids hurt their pets and see them as inferior.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:21 — Kate (Visitor)
I live in the country and have no grandchildren near, so Halloween is just another day. I do enjoy getting dressed up for New Year's Eve, and my service dog always goes with me. Since she always wears her service dog gear, a costume is no big deal to her. She wears a fancy garter over her buckle collar, and is always given a tiara when we get to the party. She happily prances around showing it off all night and drinks her bowl of apple juice at midnight. This is the one night of the year that casino staff is allowed to fuss over her, and she eats up all the attention, not to mention the boneless chicken wings. Her eyes are shining and her tail is up and wagging so hard it could break legs, so I seriously doubt that she is annoyed. She also wears a sun hat and Doggles whenever she rides in my convertible with the top down. Instead of laying down and going to sleep as she normally does, she sits at attention the entire time she is in the car so her admiring fans (the whole world, in her opinion) can admire her finery.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:22 — Alyssa (Visitor)
Costumes is for the human. if your pet likes it, it's because you tried it in the first place. they have fur, they don't need to wear clothes or costumes. i don't even find it cute. my kittens and dog look better without some silly human thing. i don't een have my pets dressed up in the sims and don't understand why people use their pets. yes, they are part of the family, but they are not your playthings. As it is, too many kids hurt their pets and see them as inferior.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:29 — Betty Cordoza (Visitor)
I think Halloween costumes for animals is an irrational idea. My black Lab's concession to the holiday, as it is to any holiday, is to wear an appropriately printed bandana. For Halloween, it is orange Halloween print fabric. "Dressing" animals to me indicates the owners are "making children" out of their critters. And yes, I have a good friend who dresses her Chihuahua for every occasion. I feel sorry for her dog.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:30 — Sarah (Visitor)
Every dog I see dressed up looks embarrassed. I feel bad for them, especially when people look at them and comment and laugh. People think it's cute, but it looks like the dogs are mortified.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:40 — Mary (Visitor)
I was thinking about making my short-haired dachshund his own fleece coat since even in Georgia there have been some winter mornings that have quite the bite to them. Anyway I was thinking about making it themed like Sparky from Frankenweenie but it wouldn't just be for Halloween since we don't really trick or treat anyway. If my Basil gets anything it's going to be something practical that he could also use on cold winter days. That and I had gotten one of the commercial Frankenweenie costumes and Basil got all excited when he saw it, but I had to take it back because the costume would've touched the ground since he's a dachshund and so low to the ground. Making a coat for him will be better in the long run since I can make it specifically to his body measurements.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:53 — Kristen (Visitor)
I have to disagree with some of the comments on here. My little Yorkie loves to be dressed up. She'll even help me try to put the clothes on her! Though if it is too ridiculous looking she just gives me a face like "do I have to?" She's actually tried to put the clothes on that were on the bottom shelf in the petstore! Needless to say she will be dressing up this year, in a costume of her choice of course! :)

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 15:00 — angie (Visitor)
My boxer mix loves to dress up. She prances around proud as can be and looks sad when I make her take her "dress" off. On the other hand my rat terrier hates any type of clothing. I sometimes dye our maltese with beet juice but thats color not clothes lol.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 15:04 — esther (Visitor)
i use to but now i dont having 3 dogs who wont hold still and 5 cats who dont get dressed up cause i cant take them anywhere with me so why dress ur pet up and then take it trick or treating with you maybe think some people might get bitten from ur animal thats how i see it besides there safer at home then anywhere

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 15:24 — mary (Visitor)
I have a 70 lb standard poodle that loves to get dressed up, so every year we match him in a costume with my 6 yr old daughter. This year we're going to shave some patch lines and make him a frankenstein poodle. We just shave where the stitches go, get some colored hair spray and he's good to go. HE loves dressing up and getting a good bath when he gets home!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 15:26 — Deb (Visitor)
My cat wears a t-shirt 24/7, not to make him look cute, but to keep him from ripping his skin off from his dermatitis. He doesn't really like it but it's better than the open gaping wounds he gets without it. Holidays he just gets a different shirt. (He's been to numerous vets to no avail. This has been the best solution.)

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 15:37 — Michele S Fineron (Visitor)
Please make sure anything your dress your dog in is fire retardant.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 16:01 — Alizabeth (Visitor)
I'm so sick of people screaming abuse just because they don't agree with something. Many pets don't have a problem dressing up. I had a fur kid that wore sweaters in the winter to keep warm. She would goto where I kept them when she wanted on. She would always get excited when I brought a new one home. "dress up" may not be for every dog, but don't talk down to owner who's dogs enjoy it and choose to dress them.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 16:12 — Karen L. Lew (Visitor)
animal skins for Hallowe'en: their own. One grey and white moogy, one torbie, and one ragdoll. They look very cute in those outfits and seem quite comfortable in them.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 16:51 — Kitties (Visitor)
I will be dressing up 1/2 of our cats, the kitten enjoys it more than his grumpy older sister!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 16:51 — Kitties (Visitor)
I will be dressing up 1/2 of our cats, the kitten enjoys it more than his grumpy older sister!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 17:14 — DIANE HENSCHKE (Visitor)
My rescue dog, Molly will be wearing her birthday suit for Halloween!! I really don't think she would tolerate anything on her anyway, although I may try a Halloween-themed kerchief.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 17:33 — Jess (Visitor)
My family has a miniature schnauzer, he LOVES to dress up. We got him as a puppy. Illinois winters can be brutal and he hated going outside for even a short period of time. I made him some booties and a sweater out of my kids old clothing, it took him a little bit to get comfortable with the booties. After that he loved the snow, now I make him new stuff to wear in the colder weather every year. He's completely comfortable wearing clothing, and even sits calmly waiting for me to slip his sweaters on him, then jumps around like a puppy with excitement. I think its perfectly ok to dress your dog up IF he/she is comfortable with it and like the article said, if the costume/clothing is pet safe.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 18:26 — BlueOnyx (Visitor)
I agree with many of the comments. Take a chill pill. If your dog doesn't like dressing up or you don't like dressing him up, don't do it, but don't condemn those that do. My dog used to love it. I had two costumes for him, a devil for Halloween and a Santa suit for Christmas. He was very much a people dog, so he loved the extra attention he got from wearing his costumes. Whenever I pulled them out, he'd get all excited and was ready to dress up and go! I also had a cat that would wear a T-shirt. There was a reason...he had a sore on his back and the bandages wouldn't stay on and he wouldn't leave them alone. The T-shirt was perfect to keep him away from the sore and from the first moment I put it on him, he acted like he'd been wearing it his whole life and didn't mind a bit. When the sore finally healed, I took it off, and I really think he missed wearing it. I've never had any other cat that would put up with that!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 18:33 — Vladsmom (Visitor)
Abuse? Inhumane? PETA acceptable? You people have got to liberals!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:44 — Shelly Collins (Visitor)
Bitchin' the way you do, you must be a conservative.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 20:30 — liz (Visitor)
there are some pets that truly enjoy being dressed up & going to parades etc., cats too, i know a few :) not mine, they are scaredy cats & i respect them. but it really does depend on the individuals. forcing a pet to do something it doesn't like is despicable & cruel. it's all about respect & common sense.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 20:43 — Kathy (Visitor)
Putting a costume on my kitty would stress her out, and I would certainly end up with some unnecessary scratches and bites. I would rather leave her the way she is. I like her that way. She has a beautiful coat of fur, which is enough for both of us.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 20:52 — Dar (Visitor)
I have a Manchester terrier and she loves her sweaters. She gets cold pretty easily so I have no problems with putting a pretty sweater on her. Painting their nails pet perfume and colored sprays I have issues with. Silly and frivolous if you ask me.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 20:55 — tlb1975 (Visitor)
My old dog Bear, a lab/pit mix (passed at the ripe old age of 17) was perfectly happy to be dressed up. He went as a pig one year, when I was fostering 2 pot bellied pigs and I went as a farmer with the three of them and my niece's...then when my daughter was 5, she was a "diva" and he was dressed up as her body guard, and another year he was Scooby to her Velma...Not to mention how much he just loved the attention he would get while she dressed him up in a t-shirt, skirt, dress...you name it. He'd hold his head up high and walk around in the outfit until I took it off. Now my current dog Harley, a full APBT, isn't too keen on the whole dress up aspect...except for when it's cold, he LOVES his jacket, or when swimming...he won't go in the water without his lifejacket on. But when it comes to playing dress up, he's just miserable, so we've put a stop to it. Some dogs do love the act, and others hate it. I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you pay attention to your pet and make sure that he/she is comfortable. I don't think it's fair to judge someone because they dress their dog up...unless you can see that the dog hates it. As far as dressing my cat up...I can't even think about trying that! The only thing she will wear is a harness and leash to go for a walk with Harley...yeah, I know, not normal, but what are you going to do?

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:38 — Patrick Oliver (Visitor)
Pets in costumes are so cute!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:40 — Cindy Sherman (Visitor)
As an ARA, animal rescuer & VEGAN for 23 years, I have to add a comment. So, here it is: PLEASE, if you want to help animals, teach by action & NOT preach kindness to animals, DON'T CONSUME THEM, WEAR THEM, OR BUY PRODUCTS THAT EXPLOIT THEM! Putting costumes on your dogs is NOTHING compared to the animal suffering you contribute to by consuming animal products. Educate yourselves, or remain hypocrites.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:26 — BabyKitten (Visitor)
We're not "consuming" our pets, you idiot. We're just putting them in a costume. We treat our pets better than most people treat their own children so don't call us hypocrites. I volunteer for a cat rescue organization as well as home several cats so don't tell me I'm exploiting them. Being a vegan has nothing to do with dressing up our pets in costume - your stupid diet has turned you into a moron. Now just to pi$$ you off, I'm going to go drink a big glass of milk, fry a couple of eggs & then go get a bacon cheeseburger.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 11:29 — C.W. Oxley (Visitor)
Read the letter above yours again. I believe they are inferring that people are hypocrites when they critize those that put creatures in costumes, while they themselves go and consume other creatures for lunch. It seems so odd that people appear to cherish some animals, while turning a blind eye to the ones who are tortured and slaughtered so that humans can have their 'big glass of milk, fried eggs and bacon cheesburgers'.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:43 — Laura Thurman (Visitor)
My 2 labs love the extra attention.. We have attended the Purina One Canine Carnival that benefits the APA in St Louis the last 2 years. Both years my girls have come in first place in the costume contest! They will go to Petsmarts contest next week--they are anticipating another win...woof

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:38 — Shelly Collins (Visitor)
YAY!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:53 — Lea Collins (Visitor)
I'm more of a middle-of-the-road type when it comes to costumes for my cat and dog. The cat gets a jester collar (orange and black with bells for Halloween, and red and green with bells for Christmas) and the dog gets a one-piece pajama-type shirt with a pumpkin or skeleton on it for Halloween, and a Santa coat for Christmas. I put them on, snap a couple quick pictures, them off they go and back in the drawer til next year. Ten minutes of confusion, admittedly, but I think they look adorable... Plus they're like, my kids, and who doesn't dress up their kids for holidays?! I see nothing wrong with putting costumes on animals as long as the animal is okay with it. Mine seem to know that it'll be over soon and they bear it with that "Seriously? This again?" face, then go to their beds and sleep.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:56 — Pet Lover (Visitor)
I cannot believe how some people talk so ugly to others simply because they like to dress their pets in costumes! My dog loves her coat, but won't tolerate a costume. If she would wear a costume as comfortably as she does her coat, you can bet your sweet bippy she would be in full Halloween mode! I have seen animals who absolutely love dressing up and I have seen others who absolutely hate it. I think if your animal is okay with it, and a true animal lover will know if the animal is okay with it, then have at it! And don't listen to the petty, simple-minded, people who have nothing better to do than cast ridicule at others who don't share their beliefs.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:36 — Shelly Collins (Visitor)
I agree!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 20:25 — Tracey (Visitor)
AMEN to that!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:22 — BabyKitten (Visitor)
To all the crybabies saying how inhumane it is to dress up an animal, boo freakin' hoo to you. As long as the animal isn't in any pain or distress (like the article states), it's perfectly fine to dress up your pets. My cat & I enter the Halloween costume contest at Petco every year & everyone in the store looks forward to seeing us in our new costumes. I custom make his costumes so they fit him just right & make sure he's comfortable. I got him for Christmas so I dress him up in a Santa's Lil' Helper costume & he gets his picture taken with Santa, too. If you don't want to dress up your pets, that's fine, don't - but don't bash those of us that do.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:34 — Shelly Collins (Visitor)
I bet your cat is very cute!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 00:32 — Shelly Collins (Visitor)
I don't think some people should be so judgemental regarding those who dress their animals. I agree with the above article. Some animals like it, and some don't, so act accordingly. My dogs would never tolerate even an bandana, so I never dressed them. I would always walk them along with my trick or treating son, calling them the "haunted hounds". I would never try and dress a cat. My cat was miserable at first when I started putting a harness on her to take her outside. Then she realized that the harness meant she'd get to go outside and now she is very cooperative getting her harness on. She LOVES going outside. My brother has a pug who loves to be dressed up, and a springer spaniel that would never tolerate any dressing, so they act accordingly.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 01:11 — Melissa (Visitor)
My dog is thrilled to dress up. She gets extremely happy when she sees any type of clothing so costumes are in the same line. And as long as we keep an eye on her I don't see the problem in that. I wouldn't force a dog to dress up if they were not 100% comfortable with it though.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 01:52 — DCC (Visitor)
Our little guy loves his jackets! How do we know because he knows what they are called & gets excited when we ask him if he wants to wear one! He is a Jack Russel & gets cold more than any dog I've ever had, he shakes, so we think he appreciates them. Besides when we take them off he is hesitant to let us take it off & then looks admiringly at it like he wants it back! He loves all of his things though very appreciative pup!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 01:58 — Ashley Passino (Visitor)
I wouldn't be surprised if you were PETA themselves, If grooming a dog (which btw a lot of animals love an it keeps them healthy, is too hard for you or you don't have the time, please consider a turtle. Anyway, dogs an even some cats like dressing up, its not for "our " enjoyment, its for their enjoyment, too. My Male kitten Moose will do anything for attn and I don't think he would be phased by a simple shirt or lose cape. I agree with Lighten up.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 10:22 — Jagdish Mittal (Visitor)
THERE SHOULD NOT LIKE OR DISLIKE FOR COSTUMES.IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE OWNER WHO CAN DECIDE AS PER HIS CHOISE AND CONVENIENCE

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 10:24 — K. Cerney (Visitor)
For my dog, I would never put him in a costume. He would try to tear it up and pick at it all night. It wouldn't be fun for him. But for other dogs, I mean if they like it and if you follow the rules then why not. Only if it's safe though. And I wouldn't bring my dog trick- or- treating anyway, cuz he'd just bark at everybody and try to run away so there's no point in dressing him up.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 11:08 — C.W. Oxley (Visitor)
Something doesn't sit right with me whenever I see someone's creature companion dressed up, even if the animal seems to 'enjoy' it. I have to go with that gut feeling,so I would NEVER put a costume on any pet.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 14:51 — Dana Lang (Visitor)
I have a cat and a lop rabbit and enther like to dress up. When my cat had stiches she hated the cone. To keep her from licking the stiches I found a preemee onesee and moditfide it so she could potty on her own. Since then no clothing for her. As for the rabbit I have a hard time with the small animal harness so I don't think a costume is going to chance it's mind to wear clothing.

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