Everything You Need to Know About Dogs & Halloween Costumes

10/10/2025

Everything You Need to Know About Dogs & Halloween Costumes

Halloween is the ultimate time to dress up! And yes, that can include our dogs. A pup in a pumpkin outfit can melt even the iciest neighbour’s heart. But before you hot-glue antlers to your Labrador, let’s talk safety, stress, and how to pull off the cutest (and most Instagram-worthy) costumes without making your dog plot revenge.

Costume Safety 101

Dogs aren’t built for outfits in the same way humans are (and some will make that very clear). Keep these rules in mind:

🐾 No choking hazards — buttons, beads, or dangling pieces are dog snacks in disguise.

🐾 Mind the fit — too tight cuts off circulation, too loose is a trip hazard.

🐾 Watch for overheating — heavy fabrics can overheat; if your dog’s panting harder 🐾 than you are at spin class, ditch it.

🐾 Visibility matters — add reflective tape or glow sticks for trick-or-treating at night.

🐾 Supervision is non-negotiable — if your dog’s in costume, eyes on them, always.

Stress Check: Does Your Dog Even Want This?

Some dogs thrive on attention and love strutting around in a tutu. Others look like they’re drafting their escape plan.

👉 Signs your dog is NOT into it: tucked tail, pinned ears, refusing to move, whale eyes.

👉 Signs they’re fine: wagging, relaxed body, happy to trot around.

If your pup falls into Team Nope, that’s okay! Grab a cute themed bandana or bowtie instead. Halloween is supposed to be fun, not traumatic.

DIY Dog Costume Ideas (Step-by-Step & Cheeky Names)

Turn your dog into the talk of the neighbourhood with costumes that are easy, safe, and hilarious. Each one has materials, step-by-step instructions, and tips.

🧸 Collector’s Edition Pup — Beanie Baby

Supplies: Cardstock or cardboard, red marker or paint, white pen or printed “Ty” logo, ribbon/elastic

Steps:

Cut a 4–6 inch heart from cardstock/cardboard.
Write or glue “Ty” on it.
Punch a hole at the top and thread ribbon/elastic.
Tie loosely around the collar or harness.

Tips: Keep it lightweight and soft.

Difficulty: ⭐

🩰 Swan Lake Surprise — Ballerina Pup

Supplies: Kids’ tutu or tulle strips, elastic band, ribbon/bow (optional)

Steps:

Slip a tutu over your dog’s waist or tie tulle strips to an elastic band.
Adjust so it's snug but not tight.
Add a bow/ribbon to the collar for twirl factor.

Tips: Avoid long strips that drag; dogs will roll in them.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

🎊 Fiesta Furball — Piñata Pup

Supplies: Crepe paper/tissue paper, old T-shirt/vest, Mod Podge or fabric glue, mini sombrero/floral headpiece,

Steps:

Cut crepe paper into 1-inch fringe strips.
Glue strips horizontally onto the shirt from bottom up.
Dress your dog in the shirt.
Attach a festive hat gently with a soft strap.

Tips: Supervise — fringe can be tempting to chew.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

🦄 Magic Hooves — Unicorn Pup

Supplies: Felt, stuffing, headband, small felt ears, yarn mane (optional), glue or needle/thread

Steps:

Roll felt into a cone, stuff lightly.
Glue or stitch onto the headband.
Add ears and an optional yarn mane.
Slide the headband on gently.

Tips: Remove if the dog tries to eat the yarn.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

🦈 Jaws Jr. — Shark Pup

Supplies: Grey felt/fabric, cardboard/craft foam, Velcro/straps, white felt for teeth (optional)

Steps:

Cut the dorsal fin from cardboard/foam.
Cover in grey felt or paint.
Cut a strip of grey fabric to wrap around your pup's chest and secure it using velcro.
Attach the fin to the fabric strap/harness with velcro.

Optional: glue white felt teeth along the collar.

Tips: Cover cardboard edges with felt for safety.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐½

🐝 Queen of the Hive — Bumblebee Pup

Supplies: Yellow shirt/vest, black tape/fabric/paint, pipe cleaners + pom-poms, cardboard/foil wings, elastic

Steps:

Wrap or paint black stripes on a yellow shirt.
Twist pipe cleaners with pom-poms into antennae and wrap around the headband.
Cut and decorate wings; attach with elastic loops.
Dress the dog in the shirt, and gently place on the antennae.

Tips: Keep wings light; test movement.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

🦋 Flutter Pupper — Butterfly Pup

Supplies: Lightweight cardboard/foam, paint/markers, elastic/ribbon straps

Steps:

Cut symmetrical wing shapes.
Decorate with paint/markers.
Attach with elastic loops over the shoulders and belly.

Tips: Ensure the elastic is snug but comfortable.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

👑 Snack-Commanding Royalty — Princess Pup

Supplies: Dollar store tiara, tutu/cape, soft headband/elastic

Steps:

Secure the tiara to an elastic/headband.
Slip a tutu or cape over the dog.
Adjust the elastic for comfort.

Tips: Treats enforce royal behaviour.

Difficulty: ⭐

🧟 Mummy Mayhem — Mummy Pup

Supplies: Gauze, old white bed sheet strips, or toilet paper roll; red lipstick or paint

Steps:

Cut gauze or fabric into strips 1–2 inches wide.
Wrap loosely around the dog’s body — chest, back, and around the legs if comfortable.
If last-minute, use toilet paper carefully; don’t wrap too tightly.
Add “blood” stains with lipstick or red paint for extra spook factor.

Tips: Keep wraps loose; monitor chewing. Quick to put on, fast to remove.

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

💒 Pet Bride & Groom — Perfect for a Duo

Supplies: Tulle or costume veil, costume bow-tie or ribbon/felt, glue, ribbon

Steps:

Affix tulle or a veil to a headband and add to one dog for the bride. Add extra bling as required.
Add a bow-tie to the second dog’s collar for the groom.
Adjust for comfort; make sure elastic is loose but secure.

Tips: Works best with dogs who tolerate sitting together for a quick photo.

Difficulty: ⭐

LEVEL UP THE TUX: You can start with a bandanna that slips over your dog's existing collar. Cut the collar (and some of the front button-down part of the shirt) off a thrifted dress shirt. Affix it to the bandanna with some fabric glue or stitches. Attach a bow tie (purchased or made from ribbon/fabric) using hot glue or stitching. Wrap the bandana around the collar.

🌸 Petal Pup — Flower Costume

Supplies: Old fabric, foam craft sheets, or colourful cardboard

Steps:

Cut petals from fabric, foam, or cardboard.
Glue or attach them around the dog’s collar to create a flower shape.
Adjust the collar so petals sit around the neck like a blossoming flower.

Tips: Lightweight and soft only; supervise chewing.

Difficulty: ⭐

🎃 Last-Minute Legends

The Nudist - no costume, just confidence.

Ghost Lite - white bandana with the word “Boo!” written in black marker.

Stupid Human - attach a sign to your pup with an arrow pointing "I'm With Stupid".

🙌 The Radowg - a sign hung from the collar that says “This is my ‘I don’t eat cereal’ costume.” Feed me Radowg!

🏆 Honourable Mention

Create a sandwich board out of cardboard to slip over your pup's back with your favourite slogans like:

🐾 Raw is the real treat.

🐾 Processed food belongs in the trash, not my bowl.

🐾 Kibble is the real monster.

🐾 Don’t be tricked - real dogs eat raw.

🐾 My bowl isn’t a cauldron of carbs.

🐾 Processed food gives me the creeps.

🐾 Kibble = Grave mistake.

🐾 Scary fact: kibble lasts longer than a mummy.

🐾 I’m raw-fed, and that’s the treat.

🐾 Beware: dog powered by real meat.

🐾 Too cute to kibble. Powered by Radowg!

Tips to Keep Costumes in Place

Getting hats, wings, or bows to stay on a squirming pup can feel like chasing a leaf in a windstorm. Here are five practical tips to keep costumes secure for dogs of all shapes and sizes, without turning your Halloween into a doggy drama:

Chest and Shoulder Straps for Wings or Capes — Use soft, stretchy fabric strips or elastic to create a harness-style anchor for wings or capes. Loop one strap around the chest (behind front legs) and another over the shoulders. For tiny pups, use thin elastic to avoid bulk; for big dogs, try wider fabric for stability. Ensure a two-finger gap under straps for comfort. Bonus: wiggly dogs stay secure with a double-knot tie!

Chin Straps for Hats or Headpieces — Secure hats or headpieces (like crowns or antennae) with a soft elastic band under the chin. Adjust it loosely enough for chewing or panting but snug to prevent slipping. For floppy-eared dogs, position the strap behind the ears; for perky-eared pups, a wider band helps. Practice with treats to keep it fun, especially for head-shy dogs.

Collar Attachments for Bows or Tags — Secure lightweight bows, tags, or small props to your dog’s collar with plastic snap clips, mini carabiners, or Velcro dots for a no-slip hold. For tiny pups, use soft Velcro or small fabric loops to keep things light; for big dogs, try sturdy snap clips or sewn loops on thicker collars. Sew or clip props to the collar’s D-ring or fabric, ensuring no pinching or fur-pulling. Wiggly dogs? Go for snap clips and practice with treats to keep it fun. Check for comfort — if it tugs or flops, swap for a lighter prop. Your pup’s ready to rock the costume parade!

Non-Slip Bands for Tutus or Belts — Add a grippy inner lining (like silicone strips or soft rubber) to tutus, belts, or sashes to stop sliding on sleek-coated dogs. For fluffy pups, a slightly tighter elastic works better. Sew or tape the grip inside, ensuring it’s soft against skin. Test the fit — if it twists, widen the band for stability.

Test Runs for All Sizes — Do a costume test before the big night, rewarding calm vibes with treats. For small dogs, prioritize lightweight gear to avoid overwhelm; for large dogs, check that straps don’t sag. Wiggly pups may need shorter sessions, while chill dogs can handle longer fittings. If they fuss, loosen up or switch to a simpler prop — happy pups steal the show!

Tips to Photograph Your Dog in Costume

Bribe them — treats equal cooperation.

Shoot at eye level — crouch, don’t tower.

Natural light — avoid flash; it can spook pups.

Short sessions — 5 minutes max before diva-mode.

Action shots — running, jumping, head tilts are priceless.

Trick-or-Treat Night Survival 🛎️

Costumes aren’t the only spooky part — repeated doorbell chaos can stress dogs.

Doorbell desensitization: Practice with treats and calm behaviour.

Safe space: cozy crate/room, toys, white noise.

Tag-team duty: one person answers the door; the other comforts the dog.

Costume exit strategy: overwhelmed dog? Remove the outfit immediately.

Comfort > Instagram.

Final Word

Halloween with dogs = joy, chaos, and glitter on the carpet forever. Keep it safe, silly, and short, and remember: whether your pup is a mummy, bride, unicorn, or rocking a simple pumpkin bandana, they’re already the cutest thing on the block.

🍂 Your Challenge

Now it’s your turn: craft a cool costume for your pup! Snap a pic of your dog in their Halloween best, share with #RadowgFallPassport, and tag us @RadowgFood on Facebook or Instagram!
Bonus points for glitter, drama, and uniqueness!

Did you know? You just found one of our Radowg Fall Passport blogs.

It's part of our Fall 2025 Adventure Checklist of dog-friendly activities where you can earn discounts, prizes, and ultimate bragging rights.

Missed the Passport Memo?

No sweat (we'll save that for the adventures)!
Head to the Radowg Fall Passport HQ to grab your Radowg Fall Passport and get all the deets on how to play along and win prizes.

Everything You Need to Know About Dogs & Halloween Costumes