What Are The Top Halloween Dog Costumes This Year? “This is especially important if they are accompanying you out trick-or-treating, or if they are nearby as you open and close the door for candy-seekers,” says Bruns. “If glasses or novelty goggles slip, they can cause serious ocular injuries,” explains Greenstein, pointing to breeds like Pugs, Frenchies, Persian cats and others with flat faces and prominent eyes as particularly susceptible to these injuries.įinally, don’t forget ID tags just because your pup is wearing a fun costume. She adds that for certain breeds, you might consider forgoing any eyewear altogether. And in general, it’s best to avoid costumes with small pieces that can be ripped off: “Many elaborate costumes can have small bits and baubles and trim that a curious pet could try to rip off and ingest,” says Greenstein.

To keep your dogs safe while they’re in costume, you should always supervise them, all our experts say, especially to keep an eye on choking hazards and any issues with mobility and vision. In cases where your dog indicates discomfort, several of our experts recommend trying simpler outfits, such as a Halloween bandana, a cape or a harness with wings, which are more similar to the feeling of wearing their typical collar or harness. “Monitor your dog for signs of anxiety if you think they may not like wearing the costume, such as panting, restlessness or vocalization,” says integrative veterinarian Dr. If a costume includes a headpiece, check that it doesn’t block your dog’s eyes.Ĭomfort also depends on your pup’s personality and how they feel emotionally when wearing a costume. If you live in a warm climate, watch for signs of overheating, such as heavy panting or drowsiness, says PetSmart veterinarian Dr. ComfortĪs mentioned, a proper fit helps your dog move comfortably without any restriction or potential tripping hazards. Danny Cox, chief veterinary medical officer of Petzey. In particular, keep in mind specific measurements of your pet’s body length, neck girth and chest width to ensure a snug and safe fit, according to Dr. Instead, base costume sizing on your dog’s specific measurements and consult each brand’s detailed sizing chart to help you find the appropriate fit. Laurie Hess recommends starting with assessing your pup’s comfort with dressing up and walking in an outfit, “whether it’s a costume with full body and headpieces, a walking costume (a front-facing costume where it looks like they’re walking in it), a harness costume (where the costume is only on the harness) or simply a festive bandana.” Fitīecause dog costume sizing isn’t standardized across retailers, it’s not always easy to find the proper fit for your pet. When choosing a style of dog costume, Chewy veterinarian Dr. What To Look For In A Halloween Costume For Dogs Style Ray Spragley, DVM CVA CCRT, founder and integrative veterinarian at Zen Doc Veterinary Care PLLC Jo Myers, DVM, veterinarian at Vetster in Salida, Colorado Jennifer Kovacs, vice president of design, collaborations and omni experience at Petco.Laurie Hess, DVM, owner and medical director of the Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York, and veterinarian at Chewy Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, owner and chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, Canada and veterinary medical advisor for Rover Danny Cox, chief veterinary medical officer of Petzey Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM, veterinarian at PetSmart To find guidelines on how to choose the best dog costumes for our pups this spooky season, as well as how to keep our pets safe and out of trouble, we spoke to the following veterinarians and animal experts: Furthermore, pets and home contributor Camryn Rabideau, a professional product tester and the owner of two dogs herself, tested several of the costumes on this list (including the Frisco Pumpkin Dog Costume) and confirms that they’re well-made and comfortable for your dog to wear. Many of us at Forbes Vetted are also devoted dog parents, and we know the importance of our furry friends both looking adorable and feeling safe and comfortable for Halloween.

Minion halloween costume for dogs