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The Best Dog Costumes To Help Your Pup Play the Part

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By Amber Rival
Last updated: 14 Mar 2024

Although most dogs don’t like to wear clothes, let alone pet costumes, they still look absolutely adorable in almost any kind of disguise. You have millions of options for dressing your pup, especially in terms of dog Halloween costumes. There is a huge variety of dog costumes available today, and a dog in a funny outfit can bring a smile to anyone's face. You can choose the oddest character for your costume and still find some pet costumes to twin with yours. Whatever you pick, you're sure to end up with some great photo ops. No matter how cute they look, you need to pick the right size, design, and material for your pup to make sure they’re comfortable wearing it. We’ve researched and picked up some unparalleled dog costumes for 2024 for your pooch. Take a look!

Best Overall
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NACOCO Cowboy Rider Dog Costume
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Sturdiest Costume
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California UPS Pet Costume
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Warmest Option
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Mogoko Dog Shark Costume
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Cutest Design
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Rubie’s Wonder Woman Pet Costume
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Show contents
Detailing our Favorite Dog Costumes of 2024
  • 1 NACOCO Cowboy Rider Dog Costume
  • 2 California UPS Pet Costume
  • 3 Mogoko Dog Shark Costume
  • 4 Rubie’s Wonder Woman Pet Costume

A Buyer’s Guide to Dog Costumes

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.

Detailing our Favorite Dog Costumes of 2024

1

NACOCO Cowboy Rider Dog Costume

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

This cute cowboy doll rider costume makes a great Halloween costume. The knight comes with a rein in the hand, riding on the dog’s back. This dog costume is saddle-shaped, which is a super easy design to take on or off of your dog. The inner side is made from soft cotton while the outer knight is made from polyester. 

The hook and loop design allows adjustments according to the dog’s size. The skin-friendly cotton material is breathable and cozy so your dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Moreover, the knight stitched to the back of the dog costume is very lightweight, so it won’t weigh your dog down or irritate them.

Pros
  • Adjustable design can be used by many dog breeds
  • Convenient to take on and off
  • Soft and breathable material
Cons
  • Incorrect measurement guide
2

California UPS Pet Costume

– Sturdiest Costume
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THE SCOOP

Made from 100% polyester fabric, this adorable UPS pal dog costume is very comfortable and sturdy. It’s perfect for your pup to participate in your next costume party. The expert craftsmanship and design packs a light layer of 100% polyurethane foam in between the fabric around the neck and front. The bottom legs of the UPS pal work as sleeves for the dog while the upper arms are made from foam and fiberfill filling.

The stuffed arms on the front hold a UPS box that is removable, making for a perfect Halloween costume. You can attach or remove the box from the costume’s hand as it’s only being held by Velcro dots. The collar-style neck can be adjusted to fit snugly around the neck of your furry friend.

Pros
  • The foam visor has an elastic chin strap
  • It’s flexible and durable
  • The costume has a soft and non-allergenic material
Cons
  • Customers have complained about velcro coming off
3

Mogoko Dog Shark Costume

– Warmest Option
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THE SCOOP

This shark costume for dogs is perfect for autumn and winter events, especially as a Halloween costume. The outer material is velvet to keep your pup warm while the inner side has a microfiber layer for more breathability and comfort. The costume covers the ears with a fun shark jaw hat, while the sides and back of your dog would bear the shark’s fins.

It comes with an easy-to-use four-button enclosure and has an elastic waist and hem for added flexibility. It can also be worn as normal wear to keep the dog warm and cozy. It comes in different sizes so that small dogs and large dogs can be sharks this Halloween.

Pros
  • Well stitched, won’t fray 
  • Easy to maintain and machine washable
  • Adjustable and elastic fit
Cons
  • Misguiding size charts
4

Rubie’s Wonder Woman Pet Costume

– Cutest Design
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THE SCOOP

This Wonder Woman dog costume features a blue skirt with white stars, a red Wonder Woman symbol dress top, golden belt, and a Wonder Woman headpiece. It is a perfect outfit for small dog breeds and large cats as well. There is also a detailed size chart and proper instructions from Rubie’s on how to measure your dog the right way.

The dog dress is made from soft polyester material, sewn to perfection allowing a lot of room for air to pass. The round-neck design has a simple Velcro enclosure at the back to make sure the dress closely sits to the dog’s neck. Moreover, the bottom area is open to allow easy and mess-free pee breaks. 

Pros
  • Durable and easy Velcro enclosure
  • Super lightweight and airy
  • Comfortable fit and machine washable
Cons
  • Not stretchable enough
  • Velcro headband falls off easily

People Also Asked

Q: Are costumes bad for dogs?

A: Pet costumes are not bad if worn for a limited amount of time.

Q: What is the most popular dog costume in 2021?

A: The most popular ones seem to be pumpkin and a lion.

Q: How many people dress up their dogs?

A: According to the National Retail Federation, 18% of dog owners dress their pets up every year.

Q: Do dogs like wearing pet costumes?

A: It definitely depends on the dog. If your pup is used to wearing clothes and accessories, they may not mind, but many dogs aren't fans.

Q: Does wearing a costume hurt your dog?

A: It can if you aren't careful. Wearing some pet costumes can cause skin irritation, so be mindful of how your dog feels and reacts. Keep an eye on them while they're wearing their getup to make sure they're okay. On the other hand, the light pressure created from being wrapped up in clothes can help soothe your pup's nerves.

Contributors

author-image
Amber Rival
Former Dog Kennel General Manager
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