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Halloween is a frightful night of fun and fantasy, and our dogs don’t want to be left out. Dressing up your pup can help incorporate him into all the fun (without the sugar rush), and, luckily, there are just as many options for dogs as there are for people. Here are 10 awesome dog costumes that will have your pup howling with Halloween delight — and none of them involve cutting holes in a sheet.
1. Hot dogs and produce puppies
Dachshund dressed as a hot dog by Shutterstock.
The canine as a hot dog is a Halloween classic — and for good reason. The hot dog suit is an adorable play on words and works so well for those wiener-shaped Dachshunds, but our pups aren’t limited to Frankenfurters if they want to go as food this Halloween. Why not dress your puppy as a pumpkin or a banana? If you want to add a little international flair to your canine costume menu, tacos and pasta are equally appetizing outfit ideas.
2. Man’s best bug
Recent Halloweens have seen the humble but scary spider climb the waterspout of popularity when it comes to dog costumes. These adorable arachnid impostors are known to do well on YouTube, so keep your camera handy. Your bugged-out pup could end up going viral faster than you can sing “Spider Dog, Spider Dog.”
3. Super pups
Dog dressed as a superhero by Shutterstock.
This Halloween, it might seem like Iron Man, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk have stepped off the big screen and into the dog park. Superheroes are taking over the pop culture world, and our dogs are not immune to their super influence! Help your pooch channel his inner Avenger, Spiderman, or Superman this year, and you’ll get more compliments on his suit than Tony Stark gets on his.
4. In a dog park far, far away
Boston Terriers Grover and Pippin dressed as Princess Leia and Yoda, respectively. (Photo by Heather Beam)
These aren’t the dogs you’re looking for — or are they? Costumes from the Star Wars universe are universally popular and can be tailored to different breeds. Furry-faced dogs make great Ewoks or Wookiees, while smaller dogs are perfect for the role of wise old Yoda.
5. Wigging out
Chihuahua in a wig by Shutterstock.
Not all dogs will wear a wig, but if you’ve got a pup who embraces the long-locked look, consider your costuming opportunities limitless. A set of human-like hair on a cute dog head will make your four-legged friend an instant hit this Halloween, but you might end up with a doggie diva on your hands.
6. Sports fanatics
Dog in a football player costume by Shutterstock.
Halloween is the perfect time for sports-obsessed pet parents to show off their team colors. A dog-sized jersey can go a long way into making your pup the MVP of trick or treating. With the right name across his back, your pup can be anyone from LeBron James to Tom Brady (just make sure all your squeak toys are fully inflated).
7. Switching species
Bulldog dressed as a black cat by Shutterstock.
It may not be the most obvious costume idea, but turning your dog into another animal will definitely turn heads. Lions, tigers, and bears are all great choices, but we’re not limited to mammals. Expand the net and consider frogs, ducks, and even fish for extra cuteness (although the cutest animal of all will always be the one under the costume).
8. The food chain
Chihuahua in a shark costume by Shutterstock.
If going as another animal is cute, going as the meal of another animal is even cuter (in a kind of scary way). A jaunty little dog walking around with a fake snake, shark, or alligator feasting on his backside is a humorous costume choice that nods to the scary side of Halloween, without taking the fright too seriously.
9. Horror movie hounds
Dog dressed as a vampire by Shutterstock.
If your household is all about the scares and screams of October 31, your dog may need an outfit that does take Halloween a little more seriously. For dogs who dabble in darkness, a classic horror movie look is the perfect fit. From Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy to Cujo’s Cujo, there’s a creepy character for every canine.
10. Pups as pop stars
Beagle dressed as a pop star by Shutterstock.
From blood and gore to bubblegum pop — dressing your dog as a famous hit maker is a great way to make a costume party statement without being scary. Your dog can pull off the pop star look with one recognizable accessory. Elton John-style glasses or Michael Jackson’s iconic red jacket can put your pup on the best-dressed list this Halloween. Just don’t let him sing too much.
Tip: Keep an eye on your pet’s comfort level during Halloween festivities. Dressed-up dogs are super cute, but sometimes they need to lose their costume to really enjoy themselves. If you’ve ever kicked off your high heels on a Halloween party dance floor or left your Dracula teeth in a drink, you know the feeling. Some dogs may not want to wear a costume for even a minute, and that’s OK, too. If anyone asks, just say he’s going as the ghost of himself.
Read more about Halloween and dogs:
- Skeleton Dogs Are Taking Over the World This Halloween
- 10 Halloween Safety Tips
- The Cutest Dog Halloween Costumes
About the Author: Heather Marcoux is a freelance writer in Alberta, Canada. Her beloved Ghost Cat was once her only animal, but the addition of a second cat, Specter, and the dog duo of GhostBuster and Marshmallow make her fur family complete. Sixteen paws is definitely enough. Heather is also a wife, a bad cook, and a former TV journalist. Some of her friends have hidden her feed because of an excess of cat pictures. If you don’t mind cat pictures, you can follow her on Twitter; she also posts pet GIFs on Google+.
The post 10 Awesome Halloween Costume Ideas for Dogs appeared first on Dogster.
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