Last-Minute DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Pet
- Vickie Foster
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
With Halloween just days away you still have time to decide on a costume for your pet. Included below are a few do-it-yourself ideas for fall fun and frolic.
First let’s do a quick review of Halloween safety tips for pets. Keep in mind that the witching season can be stressful for them. They don’t know which witch is friendly or if there’s a smiling face behind that ghoul. Follow the tips below to minimize your pooch or kitty’s stress.
1. Set up a safe place
If staying home, set up a safe place for your pet. Trick or treaters constantly ringing the bell can be frightening for your furry friend. If your dog has a crate, set it up with a treat toy and comfortable blanket. Dogs are much more at ease in kennels and crates. Cats would be happy with interactive toys in the room. Close the door to the room and play quiet music. If your pet sometimes bolts out the door, putting it in an isolated spot will prevent the heartache of a lost pet. The same goes in the event you are having a Halloween party. Your pet will be much more comfortable in its safe spot.
2. Candy can be toxic
Keep candy in a high cabinet out of pet reach. The chocolate and a chemical called Xylitol in candy and gum is toxic to pets. Make sure children know not to share their haul with pets too. Keep the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline handy: 888-426-4435 in the event of any mishaps. Also watch for any rotting pumpkins that can harbor harmful bacteria.
3. Hazardous Decorations
Keep an eye on decorations you put up. Fake cobwebs are choking hazards. Lights can be irresistible to cats that like to chew. Glow sticks and fake blood have poisons in them. Be aware of these dangers and monitor them.
4. Costume safety
No matter how adorable your pet’s costume may be, make sure its safe. Your pet should be able to see, breathe, and move unimpeded. Keep an eye out for any dangling parts to a costume that might be chewed off. Use your pet training to keep your dog calm on the leash.
With these safety measures in mind take a look at the following pet costumes.
Rocket Dog
It’s ruff-ly a short session and counting to make your pooch this simple costume.
Materials:
-2 empty plastic bottles
-Silver/Grey spray paint or duct tape
-Ribbons or soft fabric for straps
-Red, yellow or orange tissue paper for flames
Empty 2 plastic bottles. Choose the bottles according to your space dog’s size. 2 liter soda bottles for large astropups, energy drink bottles for small ones. Remove the labels.
Cover the bottles with duct tape or aluminum foil. You can also spray paint them silver.
Cut holes in one side of the bottles for straps. You can attach the rocket directly to your dog's harness if he has one. Make the straps from ribbon or soft fabric. With no harness loosely tie the straps under your rocket dog’s chest. Make sure they are not a tripping or chewing hazard.
Glue or tape colorful tissue papers to the back of the bottles for the “flames”.
Add an optional space-themed label on top of the rockets.
Your rocket dog is ready to blast off.
Spa Day Pooch
This costume works well for small dogs. But all pups deserve pampering.
Materials:
-Bathrobe, PJ top or T-shirt suited to your dog’s size. For small dogs you can use a thrifted child’s shirt.
-Towel or a cloth headband that will fit your dog’s head
-Loofah, empty real or diy “soap” box
-Ribbons, soft cloth or strips of matching felt
Put the clothing of your choice on your pooch.
Wrap your dog’s head in a towel turban or put on cloth headband
Affix the loofah or soap box to the back/top of your pup’s collar with ribbons or soft cloth. Be sure that these do not dangle and present a tripping or chewing risk.
Your pampered pet is ready for a spa day.
And lastly a costume for our feline friends
Avo-Cat-O
One of the quickest and simplest costumes for cats
Materials:
-Cardboard long enough to cover your cat's head and down to its tail.
-Shades of green craft paint, paper or even crayons
-If your cat will be moving more than just for a picture, add ribbons or soft cloth for a strap
Cut out an avocado shape from the cardboard
Cut out a hole big enough for your cat’s head
Color, paint or affix colored paper to cardboard
If using a strap, attach it to the underside of the cardboard to wrap around your cat’s chest
Your kitty is ready to go as a head peaking Ava-Cat-O
Enjoy trick or treating with your pets. Be sure to keep safety in mind and have fun.
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