The Best Dog Costumes To Help Your Pup Play the Part

Things to Consider Before Buying a Costume for Dogs

Size

You should properly measure your dog according to the guidelines from the manufacturer you’re considering purchasing from. Different manufacturers have different size guides and methods of measurements. You should carefully follow and match them to get the right fit for your furry friend. You wouldn’t want your medium size dog to wear a costume intended for small dogs.

Comfort

Comfort is another important feature to consider when choosing a dog costume. This depends largely on how familiar your dog is with clothes generally. If your dog will be wearing one of these pet costumes for the first time, get a simple and light costume so they don’t feel agitated and/or overburdened by it. A decorated collar or a dog necktie could be a great simple choice for a special occasion.

Dog’s appearance

Select an outfit that compliments your dog’s natural build and coat. You can make the most out of how they look to improve Halloween costumes – for instance, a fluffy dog’s fur will add more to a teddy bear or lion’s costume.

Material

Your dog’s costume should be elastic and easy on the skin. Pet costumes shouldn’t be too complicated, with lots of strings, buckles, or zippers. Look for costumes that come with mesh lining for comfort and/or fleece lining for warmth. Generally polyester and cotton are good materials for dog costumes.

What Are Some Popular Dog Costume Ideas?

Some popular dog costume ideas for Halloween are:

• Hot dogs – around 40% of the pet owners choose to dress their dogs as hot dogs on Halloween.
• Pumpkin is an easy and simple design preferred by many dogs and dog owners.
• Superhero – we all love to twin with our pets, right?
• Bumblebee is a common costume mainly among small dog breeds.
• Ghost, as it’s easy and super airy.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dog Costume

Here are some useful tips to help you find the best dog costume:

• Pick a costume that doesn’t obstruct any of your dog’s senses. Most costumes come with headpieces or masks, which can limit their breathing and vision.
• Make sure that you check the fabric and construction carefully for any flammable material.
• Choose a comfortable outfit that allows your dog to freely move around and explore its surroundings. Observe if they can sit down, lie down and go to the toilet easily in the costume.
• Make sure the costume has some kind of reflective material so the dog can be seen and spotted.
• Avoid heavy and embellished pet costumes. Lots of fabric or dangling material can frustrate the pup or could create a choking hazard if they attempt to chew it off.

For some more tips on choosing the cutest and most comfortable dog costume for your furry friend, check out this video from eHowPets:

How Do I Know My Dog is Comfortable in a Dog Costume?

To know if your dog is okay and feels a sense of ease in a costume, observe their actions and movements closely. If your dog is doing all that they usually do, you are good to go.

This includes running around, playing, being curious, rolling and jumping, going to the toilet, and other everyday activities. If you see signs of irritation like scratching, pulling, rubbing, or biting at the costume, you should get them out of it.

In some cases, dogs tend to just freeze, or restrict movement completely when the costume is not the right size or an embellishment/attachment is bothering them. These are clear signs that your dog is uncomfortable that you should keep an eye out for.

Conclusion

The idea of a dog costume is all cute and fun until you’re unable to find the right one. You need to consider some important factors like the right fit, the right material, and the right style to ensure your dog is safe and comfortable in it.

The next section will answer some of the Internet’s most frequently asked questions about dog costumes.