Easy Halloween Costumes for Cats and Small Dogs

Halloween costumes for cats and small dogs work best when they're simple. Pets don't care about the theme, they care whether the outfit lets them walk, sit and look around normally. The good news: the funniest pet costumes are usually the easiest ones to wear.

Here are easy costume ideas for cats and small dogs, plus what to check before you buy.

What makes a pet costume "easy"

• It slips on fast. Over the head and front legs, with no fiddly straps or buttons.
• Nothing covers the face. Your pet should be able to see, hear, breathe and meow or bark normally.
• It comes off in seconds. If your pet gets stressed, the costume should be off before the stress builds.
• No small pieces. Bells, buttons and loose trim can be chewed off.

The ASPCA's Halloween safety tips make the same point: only dress up pets you know are comfortable with it, and skip anything that limits movement or vision.

Easy costume ideas for cats and small dogs

1. The killer doll

Horror-movie energy, cuddle-sized. Our killer doll costume for cats and small dogs is a pair of little blue overalls that slips over the head and front legs. It comes in XS through XL, with a size chart on the page, and works especially well on Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and short-haired cats.

2. The judgmental nun

For the cat who has been silently judging you from the top of the fridge for years. The nun costume for cats and small dogs is a simple habit and veil in XS through L. Keep the veil back off the eyes for photos.

3. The costume carrier (for pets who hate clothes)

If your pet won't tolerate anything on their body, put the costume around them instead. The Peek-a-Boo cat carrier tote and the Peek-a-Boo small dog carrier tote come in bee, dinosaur, pig, bunny and burger designs. Your pet's head pokes out the front, so they're "in costume" without wearing a thing, and you can take them trick-or-treating hands-free.

4. The DIY bandana

A black or orange bandana tied loosely around the neck is the lowest-effort costume there is. Make sure you can slide two fingers under it.

Sizing: measure, don't guess

Measure your pet's neck and chest (just behind the front legs) with a soft tape, then compare to the size chart for that exact costume. Sizes are not the same between brands. If your pet is between sizes, go up one.

For a full measuring walkthrough and photo tips, read our cat Halloween costume fit and photo guide.

Order early

Costume season sells out fast, and you'll want a few days to let your pet try the outfit before the big night. Order with time to spare, and do a short practice run at home with treats.

Keep it short and supervised

A costume is for photos and a few minutes of fun, not all night. Stay with your pet while they're dressed up, take it off at the first sign of stress, and keep candy (especially chocolate and anything with xylitol) out of reach.

Browse all our pet costumes to find your pet's look.