There's a moment every pet parent knows. You slip a tiny pumpkin vest over your dog's head, step back, and your heart melts. Then the question arrives: is my baby actually okay in this?

You're in good company for asking. Americans expect to spend $920 million on pet Halloween costumes this year, according to the National Retail Federation's 2026 Halloween survey. The good news: pet Halloween costumes can be safe, comfortable and adorable at the same time, as long as you choose with your pet's comfort first.

This guide shows you how, with the safety checks the ASPCA recommends, a simple way to measure for the right fit, a five-day plan to help your pet get used to a costume, and this year's most popular looks for dogs and cats.

Is It Safe to Put a Costume on Your Pet?

For many pets, yes, with one big condition: your pet has to be comfortable. The ASPCA recommends not putting a dog or cat in a costume unless you know they enjoy it. Some pets love the attention. Others find clothing genuinely stressful, and that's okay.

Signs your pet isn't enjoying it

• Freezing in place or refusing to walk
• Tail tucked, ears pinned back, or a low, crouched body
• Lip licking, yawning or panting when they aren't tired or hot
• Pawing, rolling or twisting to get the costume off
• Hiding, or in cats, a lashing tail and flattened ears

If you see these, take the costume off. A festive collar accessory gives you the photo without the stress.

The 5-Point Costume Safety Check

Run every costume through this check, based on ASPCA guidance, before your pet wears it.

1. Nothing blocks the senses. The costume must not limit your pet's movement, sight, hearing, or ability to breathe, bark or meow.
2. Nothing to chew off. Look for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces such as buttons, pom-poms or bells. They're choking hazards.
3. Keep the head free. The ASPCA advises avoiding headpieces. With a hoodie-style costume, leave the hood down if your pet shakes their head or paws at it.
4. The fit is right. An ill-fitting outfit can twist or catch on furniture. You should be able to slide two fingers under the neck and chest openings, and your pet should be able to sit, lie down and go to the bathroom comfortably.
5. Someone is watching. Never leave a costumed pet unattended, even for a few minutes.

How to Measure Your Pet for a Costume

Most costume returns come down to size. Grab a soft tape measure and a few treats, and take three measurements while your pet is standing:

1. Neck: around the base of the neck, where a collar sits.
2. Chest (girth): around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. This is the most important number.
3. Back length: from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.

Compare your numbers with the size chart on each product page, because sizes vary from style to style. If your pet falls between two sizes, choose the larger one for deep-chested or fluffy pets.

The 5-Day Costume Comfort Plan

Even a relaxed pet deserves a gentle introduction. Keep sessions short, happy and full of treats.

• Day 1 — Meet it. Put the costume on the floor and let your pet sniff it. Treat, praise, and put it away.
• Day 2 — Touch it. Drape the costume over your pet's back for a few seconds. Treat, then remove it.
• Day 3 — Wear it. Put it on fully for one to two minutes while you play or offer treats.
• Day 4 — Live in it. Five to ten minutes during a normal routine, like dinner time or a stroll around the living room.
• Day 5 — Dress rehearsal. Ten to fifteen minutes, plus your photo session.

If your pet shows any stress signals, go back a step. If they still aren't happy after a couple of tries, follow the ASPCA's simple advice and skip the outfit. Cats usually need a slower pace than dogs, and many prefer a light accessory to a full costume.

Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, this year. Check the delivery estimate at checkout and order early enough to leave a full week for this plan.

2026's Most Popular Pet Costumes (and Our Favorite Takes)

According to the NRF survey, the most popular pet costumes this year are a pumpkin (11.6%), a hot dog (5.9%) and a ghost (2.8%). Here's how to join the trend, plus a few crowd-pleasers of our own.

The Classic Pumpkin

Pumpkin is America's favorite pet costume for a reason: it's cheerful, instantly recognizable and easy to wear. The Pumpkin Patch Pet Vest slips on like everyday clothing, with nothing on the head and nothing to chew. For cats and small pups, the Spooky Spirit Bow Tie Collar adds a pop of pumpkin with almost no fuss.

Buzz-Worthy Bees

Bees are a perennial favorite for pets who love an audience. The Bumblebee Buzz Pet Hoodie is soft and cozy for chilly evenings, and the Bee Sweet Ruffle Pet Dress has ruffle sleeves made for photos.

Creepy-Crawly Cute

For a little scare, the Giant Spooky Spider Outfit turns your pet into the friendliest tarantula on the block. Keep wear time short and supervised so the legs stay a costume, not a chew toy. Cats can rule the night in the sleek Midnight Bat Wing Harness.

Prehistoric Pals

Dino fans can choose the ultra-soft Tiny Titan Dino-Hoodie for all-evening comfort, or the full Rex Costume for party-ready photos.

Wild West Laughs

For a guaranteed laugh at the door, the Bucking Bronco Pet Costume puts a little cowboy rider on your dog's back.

For Pets Who Say "No Costumes, Please"

Not every pet wants to be a pumpkin. A Halloween knit gives you the festive look with the feel of an everyday sweater, plus warmth on cool trick-or-treat walks. Try the Spooky Skulls Pet Pullover or the Midnight Paws & Bones Pet Sweater.

See every look in the PetJoy Halloween Collection.

Beyond the Costume: 5 Halloween Night Safety Tips

1. Lock up the candy. Chocolate and sugar-free sweets containing xylitol are toxic to dogs, and wrappers can cause blockages. If you think your pet ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
2. Create a quiet room. A ringing doorbell and masked strangers can unsettle even confident pets. During peak trick-or-treating hours, settle your pet in a calm room away from the front door with their bed, water and a Zen Lick Feeder spread with a little plain pumpkin purée. Slow, steady licking helps many pets relax.
3. Check ID tags and microchips. The door opens all evening, and costumed crowds can spook pets into bolting. Make sure tags and microchip details are current. The NightGlow Custom Collar pairs a glow-in-the-dark breakaway collar with an engraved ID tag.
4. Be seen after dark. If your dog joins trick-or-treating, the ASPCA recommends a secure leash and a reflective collar. The light-up Glow Pup Collar keeps your dog visible from a distance.
5. Keep cats in and flames out of reach. Keep cats indoors on Halloween night, and place candles and jack-o'-lanterns where curious paws and tails can't reach them.

For more cold-season tips, read our Fall & Winter Survival Guide for Dogs and Cats.

The Best Costume Is a Happy Pet

Years from now, the photo you'll treasure won't be the one with the most elaborate outfit. It'll be the one where your dog's tail is wagging, or your cat is purring in your lap, costume and all. Choose comfort first, take your time with the try-on plan, and your pet will be part of the fun instead of just putting up with it.

Happy Halloween from all of us at PetJoy.

Find their perfect look. Browse the PetJoy Halloween Collection for pumpkins, bees, bats and cozy spooky knits, and order early to leave time for the five-day try-on plan.

Join the PetJoy Pack. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly pet-care tips, new arrivals and members-only offers, and take 30% off your first order with code WELCOME30.

Sources: ASPCA, Halloween Safety Tips · National Retail Federation, 2026 Halloween survey (September 22, 2026)

This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health or behavior, please talk to your veterinarian.