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Halloween is just around the corner. At this point, you're probably contemplating what costume to dress your pup.
Unfortunately, canine costumes can be pricey, averaging $20 to $50, and not everybody has the budget for a costume your dog might wear only once.
If you're looking to save a little bit of money, you can try one of these easy DIY Halloween costumes for dogs.
These homemade Halloween dog costumes are affordable on any budget, and you can put them together in just a matter of minutes!
RELATED: 15 Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs
12 Easy DIY Dog Costume Ideas
1. TY Beanie Baby
You can easily turn your dog into a life-size Beanie Baby by making a quick DIY tag to attach to his collar!
For reference, here's what we're going for: 
I made a TY tag for my Labrador with some craft paper and glue, which only took me about 5 minutes to make.
You can secure it to your pet's collar with a few pieces of tape, and voila, you've got a life-size walking plushie dog on Halloween!
2. Ballerina Fairy or Princess
A dollar store tutu and some cheap accessories can turn your female dog into a ballerina. Tutus are easy to find and are also easy to slide around your pet's waist.
You can also turn her into a fairy, a butterfly, or a princess with a few simple accessories!
You could use a tiara, some beaded necklaces, or put glittery scrunchies around your dog's paws for some extra flair.
Add some butterfly wings made for children, and you can quickly change her from a princess to a beautiful winged creature.
3. Angel, Devil, or Unicorn
Headbands are one of the easiest DIY dog costume ideas. You can find headbands that will make your pup look like an angel, devil, or even a unicorn.
If you want to add more effort and design, you can use a plain headband and cover it with tinfoil and some craft paint.
You can also create an alien antenna and paint it green to turn your dog into an out-of-this-world creature!
4. Superhero
Turning your dog into a superhero for Halloween is as easy as recycling a cape from your kids' closet.
I actually borrowed the cape in the photo above from my 9-year-old daughter's dress-up box.
You can also make your own cape if you're savvy with a sewing machine. You'll only need an old shirt and a Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman stencil, and you've got a great costume!
If you've got an old superhero shirt lying around in your closet, it would be even easier. Turn that old shirt into a cape, and that's it!
Using a red shirt to turn your Fido into Underdog would be one of the funniest and easiest DIY dog Halloween costumes.
5. Mummy
Another easy and cheap DIY dog costume for Halloween is to turn your pup into a mummy.
You can buy cotton gauze at a dollar store or pharmacy. Wrap it around your dog, secure the end, and you're all set!
Gauze is soft, breathable, and very comfortable. Just be sure to leave plenty of room around his neck and face, and leave an area uncovered so he can still go potty when needed.
You could even add a little bit of red food coloring or ketchup to the gauze for a scarier effect!
If you have crepe paper lying around the house, you can also use that instead of gauze. Secure the crepe paper with a small piece of invisible tape to ensure it stays in place.
6. Football
Another DIY dog costume for Halloween you can do from the crepe paper is the laces of a football.
This works best with a brown or dark-colored dog.
Place the crepe paper laces on top of your dog's back and secure them with medical tape that won't pull his fur when removed!
The whole thing would be complete if you or your kid also dressed up as a football player. Score!
7. Candy Kiss
Unfortunately, dogs can't eat Halloween candies and chocolates, but they can be one!
With this DIY Halloween Costume for dogs, you can use an aluminum foil and a birthday hat to recreate the iconic Hershey's Kisses shape.
Wrap the aluminum foil around the hat until it's completely covered. Write “Hershey's Kisses” on a strip of white crepe paper and secure it to the hat.
You can also loosely wrap your pet's body with the extra aluminum foil to complete the whole look!
8. Reuse Children's Clothes
Possibly the easiest way to dress your dog up for Halloween is to dress it 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.
Usually, with just a few quick alterations (nothing more than a tail hole or a few stitches), you can make unique DIY dog Halloween costumes out of adult or children's clothing.
RELATED: Infographic: 20 Safety Tips for Teaching Kids and Dogs to Get Along
9. DIY a Dog Hoodie
If you're a little crafty, you can create some really creative and simple costumes using typical clothes your dog already has, like a dog hoodie.
A green hoodie can turn them into a dog-asaurus; just add yellow spines at the back! If sewing is a little too intricate for you, consider taping cardboard spikes instead.
Depending on your dog's hoodie color, a yellow one can be made into a duck, a purple one can be a monster, a black one can be a skeleton, etc.
All you'll need are cardboard, felt paper, acrylic markers, or fabric paints.
A little creativity goes a long way when creating your own dog's Halloween costume!
10. Animal
Dressing your dog as another animal is always a great costume choice, too.
Felt can be used to create a lion's mane, or you could use it to turn your pup into a horse.
A red t-shirt and a black fabric marker will make an adorable ladybug costume, and a black t-shirt with some fabric paint could turn your little stinker into a DIY skunk!
11. Business Pup
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 classy and bougie, try finding a small toddler dress or a bedazzled shirt.
You could add some costume jewelry to take the outfit to the next level.
RELATED: Top 5 Best Dog Hair Bows, Dyes & Accessories
12. Visit the Local Thrift Shop or Dollar Store!
If the whole point of creating a DIY Halloween dog costume is to work within a limited budget, then consider visiting your local thrift shop, dollar store, or the clearance section of a big-box store.
I found the nurse costume above on clearance at Walmart for just $5!
You may also find some inexpensive items that you can use to create a homemade Halloween costume for your dog. For example, a chef hat or apron can turn your pup into a chef for Halloween. The possibilities are limitless!
DIY Halloween Costumes for Dog Safety Tips
Whether you're taking your dog out to trick or treat or staying in to hand out candy, these easy DIY dog costume ideas will have your pup looking spooky and festive.
However, you have to be 100% on top of your dog's safety and comfort. Halloween can be a dangerous time for dogs and their owners.
In fact, costumes can be one of the biggest hazards for your pet on Halloween!
Costumes that are too tight can restrict your dog's movement and cause chaffing, irritating his skin. Costumes that are too loose may cause tripping or become tangled around your dog's neck or one of his legs. This could cause serious injury.
Before creating a homemade dog Halloween costume, familiarize yourself with the safety rules for dressing up your pup.
Measure your dog correctly and make sure they're comfortable in their outfit. Some of the homemade dog Halloween costume ideas above may be more stressful and constraining on your dog than others.
If your pet isn't comfortable, they'll be stressed and anxious all night.
You should also consider your dog's visibility. Do not put anything over her eyes or too close to them. Do not cover her ears either.
The fewer accessories a canine costume has, the better. Buttons, bows, and other small objects can be easily chewed off and become a choking hazard.
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 they're never outside alone.
Secure them 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.
Homemade Halloween Costumes for Dogs FAQs
What materials are best for DIY dog costumes?
Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or fleece are ideal.
Avoid anything itchy, heavy, or restrictive, and skip materials with glitter, beads, or small parts that could be chewed off.
How do I measure my dog for a homemade costume?
Measure around your dog’s neck, chest (behind the front legs), and length from neck to base of tail.
Use a soft measuring tape and ensure the costume allows room for movement and breathing.
You can learn more in these articles:
How do I know if my dog is comfortable in a costume?
Watch for signs like tail tucking, pawing at the outfit, stiffness, or trying to remove it.
If your dog acts relaxed, walks normally, and isn’t fussing, they’re likely okay.
Read this to learn more about signs of stress: 20 Signs of Stress in Dogs [Infographic].
Can I use baby clothes as a costume for my dog?
Yes, baby clothes can work if they fit well and don’t restrict movement!
Just make sure there are no buttons, snaps, or tight areas that could cause discomfort. If needed, you can also adjust them to create a hole for the tail.
How do I keep a homemade dog costume from falling off or shifting?
Use soft Velcro straps or elastic bands that are snug but not tight.
Make sure the costume is balanced and not too heavy in any one area to keep it in place.
DIY Halloween Costumes for Dogs: Before You Go…
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 dog.
It's easy to come up with simple ideas, and when in 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.
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