10 Easy DIY Pet Halloween Costumes
These fun DIY costumes are affordable, simple and easy to customize for pets of all sizes. With a few inexpensive supplies and a little creativity, you can create a look your pet will be ready to show off around the neighborhood. From a classic ghost to a playful dinosaur, these 10 costumes are as comfortable as they are cute.
Ghost
What you’ll need: White fabric or old white T-shirt, scissors, craft or fabric glue, black felt cut into ovals.
How to make it: Cut fabric or T-shirt so it drapes over your pet’s back. Glue the black felt ovals to one side to create the ghost’s face. Once dry, drape the costume (if using fabric) over your pet’s back and secure it with a harness if needed.
Pumpkin
What you’ll need: Orange shirt or felt cape, green and black felt, scissors, fabric glue and elastic (optional).
How to make it: Cut a leaf or stem shape from green felt and jack-o’-lantern face from black felt and glue both to the back of the shirt or cape. Once dry, slip the shirt or cape onto your pet.
Cowboy
What you’ll need: Small cowboy hat, red bandana, denim material or small denim vest (optional), scissors.
How to make it: Tie the bandana around your pet’s neck and top it off with a small cowboy hat for a Wild West look. Cut denim material to fit your pet for a simple vest for extra Western flair.
Bumblebee
What you’ll need: Yellow pet shirt or hoodie, black felt or ribbon, white or clear plastic sheet (such as a folder or craft plastic), pipe cleaners, headband (optional), scissors and fabric glue.
How to make it: Cut two wing shapes from the plastic sheet and cover or decorate them with white fabric or felt if desired. Attach the wings together at the center with glue or tape and secure them to the back of the shirt. Add black felt or ribbon stripes to the shirt. Twist pipe cleaners into antennae and attach them to a headband or hood if your pet tolerates it.
Chef
What you’ll need: White felt, red felt (optional), scissors and fabric or craft glue.
How to make it: Cut a small apron and chef’s hat from white felt. Glue a gathered piece of felt to the top of the hat to create the puffy chef’s look. Add a red felt neckerchief if desired, and let the glue dry completely before dressing your pet.
Dinosaur
What you’ll need: Green hoodie, green felt, scissors and fabric or craft glue.
How to make it: Cut several triangle-shaped spikes from the green felt. Glue the spikes down the center of the hood and along the back of the hoodie, spacing them evenly from head to tail. Let the glue dry completely, then dress your pet in the hoodie for prehistoric cuteness.
Lion
What you’ll need: Tan, gold or brown felt, faux fur trim or thick tan/yellow yarn, scissors, craft or fabric glue, pet collar or hoodie.
How to make it: Cut a felt circle with a smaller opening in the center to fit around your pet’s neck. Glue faux fur or short lengths of yarn around the outer edge to create a fluffy mane. Once dry, attach the mane to a collar or glue or sew it to a pet hoodie for an instant lion look.
Taco
What you’ll need: Tan felt or fleece, green, red, yellow and brown felt, scissors, fabric or craft glue and Velcro.
How to make it: Cut two large semicircles from the tan felt to create the taco shell. Layer strips of green, red, yellow and brown felt between the shell pieces to resemble lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and meat. Glue the layers in place, leaving the top edge open so the “toppings” peek out. Once dry, drape the taco over your pet’s back and secure it with Velcro.
Bat
What you’ll need: Black felt, black craft foam sheet, scissors and fabric or craft glue.
How to make it: Cut two bat wings from the black felt and two matching wings from the craft foam. Glue each felt wing to a foam wing to give it structure. Once dry, attach the wings together at the center and secure them to your pet’s harness or collar so they rest on your pet’s back.
Superhero
What you’ll need: Felt or fleece in your colors of choice, scissors, fabric or craft glue and Velcro.
How to make it: Cut a cape and mask (if your pet tolerates it) to fit your pet’s size and attach both with Velcro. Add a lightning bolt, star or paw print for a custom superhero design.
Tips for a Happy Halloween
- Always check that costumes don’t restrict movement, hearing or vision.
- Choose lightweight materials and avoid anything that may overheat your pet.
- Never leave your pet unattended while in costume.
- Watch for signs of stress and remove the costume if needed.
