Halloween has traditionally been a night for parents taking their children trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. Today, it seems more families are taking their pets along for the fun, too.
I’ve noticed several folks accompanying their children have their dog on a leash as they walk through the neighborhood and some of them have dressed up their canine companions in some pretty cute Halloween costumes. Makes sense, why not let Fido (or Fifi if you’re really creative and talented) join in on all the festive fun.
Choosing a Costume
If you’re trying to come up with fun ideas for Fido’s costume, you’ll need to do some brainstorming. Consider what the kids will be wearing and see if there’s a way to incorporate a theme. If your toddler is a lion, perhaps your dog could be a lion, too. Or think of pairs . . . how cute if you have Batman and Robin, Beauty and the Beast, Elliot and E.T., or Bo Peep and one of her sheep.
And if you’ve got an amenable cat, a witch and her cat makes perfectly good sense (especially if the cat is black). Or Alice and Cheshire, Gargamel and Azrael, or Lady Tremaine and Lucifer. If you’re not into evil villains and their cats, perhaps Odie and Garfield or Pooh and Tiger.
Buying a Costume
If you’re thinking of bringing your dog (or cat) along for the walk, or ride, or whatever Halloween festivities you’re planning this fall, you can find costumes at most of the major big box stores (like Wal-Mart and Target) along with many of the most popular pet stores. And, of course, you can also find them on Amazon. If you’re looking for an elaborate pet costume, it’s a good place to start shopping for ideas. Chewy also has a lot of great costumes for dogs and cats!
The choices for dog costumes are pretty amazing. I’ve seen lions and princesses, cows and devils. The trickiest part of picking out a Halloween costume for your pet is getting the right size and ensuring it’s a comfortable fit that doesn’t cause your dog or cat any grief. Most pets aren’t used to wearing clothes, so they might not be to keen on your idea. Having a good, comfortable fit means maybe they’ll be less likely to wiggle out or trip down the sidewalk as you’re trying to trick-or-treat with the kids.
Making a Costume
You can also get creative and come up with your own homemade costume. You might find things you already have around the house (a hat, a bandana, a headband, a lei from a luau this summer) come in handy with a bit of velcro, a hot glue gun, or some simple sewing.
Creativity is key here. Think of something cute and clever for your dog’s breed or your cat’s color. A taco chihuahua or a black cat bat. While the possibilities are endless, and really only limited by your imagination, simplicity is important if you expect your dog or cat to sport a DIY costume for very long.
Getting Your Pet to Actually Wear a Costume
Practice makes perfect! Don’t just assume your pet will be fine with the costume you’ve picked out for Halloween this year. Let him practice! If your dog isn’t used to wearing a hat or a shirt and you’re thinking to have him wear both, start easing him into wearing it well before the day comes. And if you’re expecting your toddler to wear a hat if he has never worn one before, it’s a good idea to practice that, too.
A cute idea can quickly turn into frustration on the big day if your child is pitching a fit over wearing a costume while your pet is constantly pawing at and wiggling out of a costume. Make sure everyone is happy and content, safe and comfortable – otherwise, it’s just not worth it. Practicing before hand definitely helps work out any kinks and ensure the best possible time will be had by all.
With a little creativity and some proper planning your Halloween costumes just might impress the neighbors enough to get a little more candy this year, or impress the judges enough to win a Halloween costume contest. Either way, make sure you take pictures for the photo album. And stay safe!!
