Since this week we’re celebrating both Halloween and National Cat Day, it’s the perfect time to talk about Halloween costumes for pets!

Do you dress up your pets for the holidays? I sometimes try—but my pets aren’t exactly fans of wearing costumes! Still, including our furry (and not-so-furry) friends in holiday fun is becoming more and more popular—and it’s big business, too.

Pet Costumes are a Treat for Everyone

Many communities and non-profit organizations benefit from people dressing up their pets. Some cities host Halloween pet parades, while animal shelters often hold costume contests and other events as fundraisers. Others even offer pet photo shoots for Halloween and other holidays—perfect for capturing adorable memories.

According to a recent PetSmart survey, 60% of pet parents include their animals in Halloween festivities like trick-or-treating, photo shoots, or parties. Nearly half dress their pets in costumes! Classic costumes are the most popular, while 18% choose matching or family-themed outfits.

Earlier this week, I mentioned that Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion. While candy still takes the biggest bite, consumers will spend about $860 million on pet costumes alone! Popular choices for dogs and cats include pumpkins, bumblebees, and hot dogs—but you can even find outfits for rabbits, guinea pigs, and lizards.

DIY Pet Costumes

Sure, you can find plenty of costumes in stores, but making your own can be even more fun! HGTV offers a great list of DIY pet costume ideas that can be adapted for any type of pet.

If you go the homemade route, remember:

  • Use soft materials that won’t scratch or irritate your pet.
  • Make sure the costume doesn’t restrict movement or cover their eyes, nose, or mouth.

A few of my favorite DIY ideas include:

  • A pack of M&M’s – adorable for a litter of puppies!
  • A lion’s mane (no sewing required!)
  • A taco dog
  • A pirate cat
  • A headless horseman costume

And one of the most creative ideas I’ve seen? Someone with three dogs dressed them as “Girl Dinner”! Using plastic Elizabethan collars, she decorated them to look like mac & cheese, ramen noodles, and a martini. Too cute!

Panel Member Reminders

If you have pets, do you include them in your Halloween celebration? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. And don’t forget to scan and report any Halloween items you might purchase for your pets! This might include extra treats, seasonal toys, costumes, or any items you buy to make your own pet costumes.

If you’re not a NCP panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog for more information.

Happy Halloween!
Taylor

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