Cats

Easy DIY Costumes for Your Pet

Nicole Groshek  |  October 5, 2021  |  4 minute read

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Need a last minute Halloween costume for your pet? Pet Halloween costumes off the rack not in the budget this year? Whatever the reason, cute costumes don’t have to break the bank. Use what you have around the house to create your pet’s costume. Check out these fun DIY pet costume ideas for dressing up your dog or cat!

Ghost Dog

A ghost costume is a super easy diy dog costume to make.

Supplies & Tools:

• 1 White Sheet
• Scissors
• Pencil or marker

Steps:

1. Cut the sheet into a circle or oval large enough to cover your dog without dragging on the ground when your dog is walking.
2. Put it over your dog.
3. Carefully mark the sheet where your dog’s eyes and snout are with a pencil or marker.
4. Remove the sheet from your dog.
5. Cut circles where you marked the eyes and snout.
6. Put it back on your pup to check the fit!

Spooky Shirt

Have an old Halloween t-shirt, or plain white t-shirt? Create a quick costume for your dog! 

Supplies & Tools:

• Human t-shirt: adult size for large dogs, child size for small dogs (v-neck works best)
• Iron-On letters or Halloween decals (Optional)
• Iron & Ironing Board (Optional)
• Scissors
• Marker

Steps:

1. Try the shirt on your dog.
2. Mark where the shirt and/or sleeves are too long.
3. (Optional) Mark what part of the shirt you’d like to add decals. Be sure to make marks lightly and under where the decals will be added.
4. Remove the shirt from your dog.
5. Cut sleeves and bottom of t-shirt where you marked. 
6. (Optional) Iron decals onto shirt.

Big Beanie Baby

Make a Beanie Baby costume for your pet and dress your real-life animal as a stuffed animal!

Supplies & Tools:

• Red felt
• White felt
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun or fabric glue
• Ribbon

Steps:

1. Lightly draw a heart shape on the red felt and cut it out.
2. Lightly draw the letters “t” and “y” in lower case on the white felt and cut out.
3. Hot glue, or use fabric glue, the letters to the heart. 
4. Cut a small circular hole in the corner of the heart.
5. Loop the ribbon through the hole and tie to your pet’s collar.

Make a Flower Collar 

Adorn your pet in enchanting fall florals!

Supplies & Tools:

• Faux flowers
• Cat or dog collar
• Scissors
• Hot glue or floral adhesive 
• Floral wire (optional)
• Wire snips (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut the stems off the faux flowers.
2. Place the collar face up and flat on your workspace.
3. Try out a few designs or placements for your flowers.
4. Put a thick line of glue on the collar. It is easiest to work in small sections.
5. One at a time, put glue on the backs of the flowers and apply to the glue on the collar.
6. For large flowers, be sure to glue as much of the bottom of the flower as possible to the collar.
7. Optionally, use floral wire to affix larger blooms to the collar. Thread the wire through the bottom of the flower twice before wrapping the wire around the collar. Be sure the ends of the wire are buried into the flower side of the collar so as not to irritate your pet.
8. Let the glue dry at least an hour before putting the collar on your pet.

Mummy Dog

This costume might be quick and easy, depending on your dog…

Supplies & Tools:

• Gauze bandage wrap
• Scissors (optional)

Steps:

1. Start wrapping your dog with the gauze, not too tightly.
2. Take care not to wrap your dog’s face or rear end and make sure your dog can move freely, including sitting, laying down, walking and using the bathroom.
3. Trim the gauze if you have more than you need.
4. Tuck the ends as you wrap to avoid the gauze from unraveling.

Not-Necessarily-Black Tie

Your dog can dress for the office, a wedding or their Hogwarts house.

Supplies:

• A tie!

Steps:

1. Tie the tie on yourself.
2. Loosen the loop and remove it over your head.
3. Loosen it more so it fits over your dog’s head.
4. Keep it loosely tied so it’s comfortable for your dog.

Quick Bandana

It doesn’t get easier than tying a bandana around your pet’s neck for a festive look! No bandana? Use a Halloween or fall-themed napkin instead.

Supplies:

• Bandana or napkin big enough to fit your pet

Steps:

1. Place the bandana or napkin printed side down on a table.
2. Fold into a triangle diagonally by putting opposite corners together.
3. If the bandana is too large for your small pet, make another triangle fold by matching the corners from the longest edges.
4. Tie the bandana on your pet and tighten the knot by pulling on both ends.
5. Make sure the bandana fits correctly by putting two or more of your fingers between the bandana and your pet’s neck. If it’s too tight, untie and retie.

Have fun, take lots of pictures, and don’t forget the treats!

Although DIY  pet costumes for Halloween can be a lot of fun, if your pet is at all distressed when wearing a costume, do not make them wear it. Be sure they can easily breathe, walk and use the bathroom. Avoid costumes that they might try to chew on or trip over, and never leave your pet unattended in a costume.