Halloween is just a couple of weeks away leaving many pet owners scrambled for a doggy costume idea. Buying a costume that your pup is only going to wear once seems like a waste of money. These easy DIY Halloween costumes for dogs will save you money and catch everyone's eye on Halloween night.
Costumes can be one of the biggest canine Halloween hazards, so you need to be very careful with the choices that you make.
If the costumes are too tight, they can restrict your dog's movement or cause chaffing and scratch his skin.
Costumes that are too loose may be dangerous if your dog trips on them or they get caught in a door.
Loose costumes also provide the risk of becoming tangled around your dog's neck or one of his legs, causing serious injury.
If you're planning to buy a costume for your dog, make sure to measure your pup accurately. It would also be wise to bring your dog with you while shopping so you can try the costume on and ensure a proper fit before purchasing.
Doggy costumes can cost upward of $50, so if you've been looking for a cheaper option these DIY Halloween costumes for dogs may be just what you need. Most cost less than $10, and you can reuse some of the materials after your Halloween festivities are over.
Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Dogs
Possibly the easiest way to dress your dog up for Halloween is to dress him like a person. You can use pajamas, sweat pants, a dress, or any other form of comfortable clothing to dress your pet up as a random person, celebrity or someone from your local community.
You could dress him in a jersey to make him a sports star or wrap him in a child's bathrobe or a baby's onesie. Usually with just a few quick alternations (nothing more than a tail hole or a few stitches) you can make unique DIY Halloween costumes for dogs out of adult or children's clothing.
Turn your pet into a business pup by using an old tie. You could even get a child-sized dress shirt and really make your pooch look fancy. If you want your female dog to look fancy, try finding a small toddler dress or bedazzled shirt. You could add some costume jewelry to take the outfit to the next level.
As you'll see in my video guide above, you can find easy and cheap DIY Halloween costumes for dogs at your local thrift shop, dollar store or in the clearance section of a big box store. I found the nurse and angel costumes above on clearance at Wal-Mart for just $5!
You may find some cheap items that you can turn into a unique costume. For example, if you find a chef hat or apron, your pup could be a cook for Halloween. A cape will turn your dog into a superhero for the evening.
When you're creating a do-it-yourself Halloween dog costume, try to think outside the box. A little imagination goes a long way when you're making a costume for your pet. It's easy to come up with simple ideas, and when it doubt, the internet is full of them. Try to choose a costume that matches your pet's personality, and make sure that it is something that he'll be comfortable wearing.
Remember to be safe on Halloween, as it is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pets. Whether you'll be wandering the neighborhood or staying in to hand out treats, keep an eye on your dog at all times and make sure that he is never outside alone. Secure him in an area of your home where he won't be bothered by trick-or-treaters and make sure he's away from the door so there is no chance of escape.
If you've made your own dog Halloween costume we'd love to see pictures in the comments below. Post them on our Facebook page or share them on our Twitter feed too! Even if you didn't make the costume yourself, we'd still love to see pictures of your canine companion(s) all dressed up for the Holiday!
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