Halloween is coming up in just a few short weeks. That doesn't leave much time for you to choose a Halloween costume for your pup! If you're on a budget or you're just looking for a quick, last minute idea, I've got a homemade dog Halloween costume idea that is sure to work for your pet.
Before you begin creating a homemade dog Halloween costume, familiarize yourself with safety rules when it comes to dressing up your pup. Measure your dog correctly and make sure she is comfortable in her outfit. Some of the below-mentioned homemade dog Halloween costume ideas may be more stressful and constraining on your dog than others. If your pet isn't comfortable, he'll be stressed and anxious all night.
You should also consider your dog's visibility – don't put anything over her eyes or too close to them. Do not cover her ears either. Check out the costume completely to make sure that it fits properly and there are no loose ends to trip or choke on.
Costumes can be one of the biggest Halloween hazards for dogs, so you need to be very careful with the choices that you make. Costumes that are too tight can restrict your dog's movement or cause chaffing and irritate 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.
Canine costumes can cost upwards of $50, so if you're looking for something more affordable a homemade dog Halloween costume may be just what you need. All of the options that I've listed below cost less than $10, and you can reuse some of the materials after your Halloween fun is over.
3 Homemade Dog Halloween Costume Ideas
If you want to save some money and ensure your Fido's safety, you can make do-it-yourself dog Halloween costumes that cost next to nothing and will offer a custom fit for your pooch. They are usually pretty simple, which is a good thing in this case. The less accessories a canine costume has, the better. Buttons, bows and other small objects can be easily chewed off and become a choking hazard.
In my video guide above I show you how to make 3 Halloween costumes for your pet with just two things – a roll of white crepe paper and a roll of aluminum foil.
You can use the white crepe paper to wrap around your pooch and turn him into a mummy. Don't wrap the paper too tight or it will rip when you pup moves around. You can wrap just his abdomen or go around his legs as well. Secure the crepe paper with a small piece of invisible tape to ensure it stays in place.
As demonstrated in my video, you could also use the crepe paper to create the laces of a football. This, of course, works best if you have a brown dog. However, you could do it with any dark colored doggy. Place the crepe paper on top of your dog's back and secure it with medical tape that won't pull his fur when removed.
Finally, you can use the aluminum foil to turn your pup into a walking candy kiss. I use a birthday hat, because it has a built in strap to secure it on your dog's head. If you don't have a birthday hat, you can just form a cone out of the aluminum foil and use string to tie around your pet's chin.
If you do have a birthday hat on hand (or you can pick up a package for about $1 at any party store), wrap the aluminum foil around the hat until it's completely covered. Write “candy kiss” on a strip of white crepe paper and secure it to the hat.
Using the aluminum foil, loosely wrap your pet's body. Again, you can just wrap his abdomen or wrap his legs as well. I usually don't wrap the legs, because the foil will rip as your dog sits down and moves around.
When you're creating a homemade dog Halloween 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 doggy 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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