Costumes · PetsNo. 4050 · The 2026 edition
Pet costumes: the pumpkin, the hot dog and beyond.
Dog Halloween costumes you can make at home, plus a few for cats: a no-sew pumpkin bandana, a felt hot dog, a taco and a lion’s mane on breakaway snaps, with the safety basics up front.
Homemade dog Halloween costumes can be cut to fit your own dog, but the good guides are scattered across craft blogs, lifestyle sites and brand pages. We gathered sixteen for anyone with a dog or a willing cat and either a glue gun or a sewing machine: fourteen creator tutorials, plus two more guides from our shelves. The pumpkin and the hot dog lead, then the other dog costumes, the cats and the extras; where a guide says so, the blurbs flag the no-sew builds and the ones that need sewing. The order is no accident: in the National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey, a pumpkin, a hot dog and a ghost were the top three pet costumes.
Before you glue anything, the safety basics. The ASPCA says not to put a dog or cat in a costume unless you know they love it, and that nothing should limit movement, sight or the ability to breathe, bark or meow. It also says to check for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could choke a pet. The AVMA wants a proper fit and says never to leave a costumed pet unsupervised. The AKC says to avoid face coverings, to introduce new outfits before the big day with patience and treats, and to take one off right away if a dog seems stressed: panting, freezing, pawing at the costume and flattened ears are among the signs.
Sixteen DIY costumes for dogs and cats
For dogs, from a pumpkin bandana to a Beanie Baby tag
- No-sew pumpkin bandana and mask set — Start here: a jack-o’-lantern bandana that slips onto the collar, no-sew, in iron-on print or layered felt, with free templates in small, medium and large. The author calls the bandana alone the comfortable choice for walks and saves the optional mask for quick photos. The tutorial
- Felt hot dog in a bun — No sewing, just hot glue: a brown felt frank gets tan bun pieces on either side and ketchup-and-mustard squiggles, held on by an elastic strap measured on your own dog. The dog steps are the last few lines of a family hot dog post. The tutorial
- Black felt bat wings — Two layers of black felt sandwich pipe-cleaner ribs so the wings hold their shape, and a felt chest strap with Velcro keeps them on the back. HGTV calls it light enough for a dog or a cat; mostly spray adhesive, with the Velcro stitched on. The tutorial
- No-sew lion's mane with breakaway snaps — Breakaway snaps are the point: felt fringe on two triangles snaps around the head and chest, and the author says the mane detaches if a pet yanks it or snags it on something. About an hour, no sewing, for dogs or cats. The tutorial
- Felt black-widow spider on a dog T-shirt — Bring a needle: a stuffed felt black widow, eight legs and orange hourglass included, is sewn onto the back of a black dog T-shirt, so it rides on a shirt instead of straps and the shirt sets the size. Printable templates cover the pieces. The tutorial
- Circle-cape ghost with a ghost-face cap — A full circle of white knit becomes a ghost cape that Velcros at the neck and attaches to the collar or harness; it needs a sewing machine. The author’s puppy disliked the cap but was fine in the cape alone, so you can skip it. The tutorial
- No-sew cheeseburger — Felt, glue and plenty of drying time: a lightweight foam ball becomes bun halves and a patty, covered in felt, painted and stacked with felt toppings, held on by crossed elastic straps. Sized for a pug, no sewing, and the post is a glue-brand partnership. The tutorial
- Taco Tuesday taco — Painted cardboard half-circle shells, sized from your dog’s front legs to hind legs, are glued to a strip of felt toppings, and a felt “Taco Tuesday” collar cover finishes the look. No sewing; the author’s dog got used to it after a few minutes. The tutorial
- No-sew ladybug — Black felt cut around a dog shirt forms the base, topped with a red felt shell with black spots that closes with Velcro. No sewing, made for a small dog; the antenna headband is a separate extra. From a felt brand’s blog. The tutorial
- Barista apron for big dogs — Because costumes for larger dogs are hard to find, the author pinned a small child’s apron in at the sides and added a coffee patch and a felt name tag. No sewing; pins are only for dogs that don’t chew, the page says. Sponsored post. The tutorial
- Beanie Baby tag — Under ten minutes, no sewing: a red felt heart with white “TY” letters, hot-glued to ribbon, turns a dog into a stuffed animal. It’s one small accessory rather than a full outfit, which makes it the pick for a last-minute costume. The tutorial
For cats, if yours is willing
- Yarn pom-pom lion mane for cats — Six to eight chunky-yarn pom-poms are tied along flat elastic that closes with Velcro and sits under the chin and behind the ears. No sewing; the page says to take it off if the cat looks stressed. From a cat subscription brand’s blog. The tutorial
- Shark fin on a thin elastic band — Just a fin: gray felt stiffened with cereal-box cardboard, on a felt base held by a thin elastic loop, with nothing on the head or legs. Some sewing. The author says to leave room for two fingers under the elastic; it suits a tolerant cat. The tutorial
- Felt petal collar (sunflower or petunia) — Folded felt petals, stitched along the fold for dimension, are sewn onto a ribbon collar that closes with Velcro, in a sunflower or petunia look. It’s collar only and needs sewing; the page opens with ASPCA tips, including a trial run a week early. The tutorial
Two more HGTV guides: a jester and a businessman
- DIY Jester Dog Costume for Halloween — A jester hat sewn from six colors of felt, with fiberfill-stuffed horns and printable templates for every piece. A real sewing-machine project, and a bright one for a dog who tolerates a hat. The guide
- Halloween Pet Costume: Business Man — An old dress shirt becomes an office-ready outfit for your dog: the cuffs are resized to fit its legs and Velcro closures make it easy to put on. HGTV calls it an easy build, and it suits anyone with a spare shirt. The guide
If your pet isn’t into it, a bandana is still a costume.
If you only make one tonight, make an accessory: the AKC says a single piece such as a bandana or decorative collar is often better than a full costume, and that an elaborate outfit should stay on only long enough for a few photos. So pair the pumpkin bandana, the Beanie Baby tag or the petal collar with one bigger build kept for the camera. Then mind the candy. The ASPCA says chocolate in any form is very dangerous for dogs and cats, and that sugar-free candy with xylitol can cause serious problems. Texas A&M’s veterinary college says wrappers and plastic parts can cause intestinal blockage, and advises a high shelf for candy and cleaning up the trash. The AVMA says pets should be kept indoors and wear ID, such as a microchip, collar and tag, in case one slips out the door. If a pet may have eaten something toxic, call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away. The full pet costume shelf has more.