This post is all about the best diy dog Halloween costumes!
Store-bought Halloween costumes for dogs can cost anywhere from $30 to $50+, and half the time, they don’t even fit right. My neighbor spent $40 on a “large” dinosaur costume that barely squeezed over her Lab’s shoulders. Meanwhile, the diy dog Halloween costumes I made last year? Under $10 each, and they actually FIT.
But it’s not just about the money (though saving cash for extra treats is always a win). When you make diy dog outfits, you’re creating something totally unique for your fur baby.
Want your Pittie to be a butterfly with extra-wide wings 🐶🦋? Done. Need a superhero costume for dogs that actually stays on your wiggle-monster? You got it.
This list of diy dog costumes includes stuff for everybody – from diy halloween costumes for small dogs, Halloween costumes for large dogs, last minute diy dog costume, and everything in between.
This post is all about the best diy dog Halloween costumes
BEST diy dog halloween costumes
Last Minute DIY Dog Costume
Despite our best intentions, life happens, and suddenly it’s the night before Halloween. Don’t panic! These last minute diy dog costume ideas have saved me more than once, and they’ll save you too.
1. diy dog ghost costume
Materials: Old white sheet or large white t-shirt, scissors, black fabric marker.
How-to: Cut eye holes in a white sheet, drape over your pup, mark where their eyes are, cut holes. The key is making it short enough they won’t trip.
Size tip: Works amazing for all sizes – just adjust your sheet size!
2. The “Wrapped Present”
Materials: Wrapping paper, and ribbon.
How-to: Loosely wrap the mid-section in paper and add a big bow on the back or head.
Size tip: Gift-worthy on patient dogs.
3. The “Spa Day” Pup
Materials: Bathrobe or PJs, white paper circles, a towel, or a headband.
How-to: Drape robe, make paper face mask with eye holes to elevate the costume.
4. Scooby-Doo Costume
Materials: Blue/teal collar material, yellow diamond foam, SD tag letters, glue, brown fabric dye (optional).
How-to: Create signature blue collar with yellow diamond SD tag. For brown dogs, you’re done! For other colors, add brown spots with fabric-safe dye or felt.
Size tip: Ruh-roh! Perfect for Great Danes and any mystery-solving pups.
5. Beanie Baby Dog Costume
Materials: Red felt, white felt, printer for TY tag.
How-to: Create a heart-shaped TY tag from felt, print out a tag with their name and “birthday,” attach to collar. Add little felt ears if you’re ambitious.
Size tip: Adorable on small dogs, especially.
6. UPS Delivery Dog COSTUME
Materials: Cardboard box, brown paper, markers, straps.
How-to: Cover a box in brown paper, draw or print on UPS logos, attach straps to secure on their back. Bonus points for a tiny cap!
Size tip: Great for dogs who already love carrying things.
7. The “Athlete”
Materials: Sports jersey, sweatband, athletic socks, marker.
How-to: Put jersey on dog (one of your boyfriend’s jersey 😄), add sweatband around head or leg, write number with marker.
Size tip: Sporty on active dogs of any size.
8. Coke Bottle Dog Costume
Materials: Printable Coca-Cola label.
How-to: Print the label and place it on your dog’s middle.
Size tip: Refreshing on all sizes – specially black dogs!
Easy DIY Dog Halloween Costumes for Beginners
Let’s start with the easy dog halloween costumes that even the craftily-challenged (me, I’m talking about me) can handle. These diy dog costumes for halloween are perfect for testing the waters.
9. Super Pup Cape
Materials: Find materials on this link.
How-to: Here are the steps to do this perfect superhero costume for dogs!
Size tip: Ideal for medium to large dogs who love to run.
10. Devil Horns
Materials: Red felt, headband, stuffing.
How-to: Create small horn shapes, stuff lightly, attach to headband.
Size tip: Works on all sizes.
11. Pretty Pumpkin
Materials: Orange t-shirt, black felt, green felt
How-to: Put orange shirt on pup, glue on black felt jack-o’-lantern face, add green felt leaves at collar.
Size tip: Universal – just get the right shirt size
12. Wizard hat
Materials: Black felt, stars, elastic
How-to: Create cone shape for hat, add stars decoration, attach with elastic under chin
Size tip: Adorable on any size
13. dog butterfly costume
Materials: Cardboard, orange and white paint, elastic straps
How-to: Cut butterfly wing shapes from cardboard, paint wing patterns on cardboard, and attach elastic straps to go around chest.
Size tip: Best for small to medium calm dogs
14. dog taco costume
Materials: Brown felt (shell), green felt (lettuce), red felt (tomato), yellow felt (cheese), cardboard. Check the whole list here.
How-to: Create a taco shell shape that drapes over their back, glue on felt toppings. Add elastic under the belly to secure. Follow the steps here.
Size tip: Hilarious on literally any size dog
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15. dog Lifeguard Costume
Materials: Red shorts/tank, whistle, sunglasses
How-to: Add beach patrol outfit with rescue accessories
16. Nurse COSTUME
Materials: Scrubs, medical cap, badge
How-to: Medical scrubs with accessories
17. dog Mummy Costume
Materials: Wrap
How-to: Wrap your dog thoroughly and voilà
Popular Dog Costumes
These trendy costumes will make your pup the most relevant dog at the party!
18. Baby Yoda COSTUME
Materials: Brown robe fabric, green felt ears.
How-to: Create robe with hood, add large pointed ears.
19. Harry Potter dog costume
Materials: Black robe, red/gold scarf or tie, glasses,
How-to: Cut a black fabric to make the wizard robe, add a house scarf or tie, and draw a lightning bolt with a waterproof black marker. Don’t forget the glasses.
20. batman dog costume
Materials: Black cape, bat ears, yellow belt
How-to: Cape with bat symbol, pointed ear mask
21. Lion Costume
Materials: Faux fur fabric, elastic bands, felt ear kit
How-to: Create a majestic mane that sits around their head and neck, add felt ear toppers
Stunning on halloween costumes for golden retrievers
Here is an easy tutorial to make this diy dog lion costume.
22. kisses Costume
Materials: Silver/metallic fabric or mylar, white paper strip, blue marker, cone shape base
How-to: Create cone/teardrop shape covered in silver material, add signature paper plume sticking out the top with “KISSES” written on it. Twist the top slightly for authentic look
23. DINOSAUR Costume
Materials: Green felt for spikes, dog hoodie
How-to: Design a spine of spikes that runs from head to tail, use glue or sew them to the hoddie
24. Shark Costume
Materials: Gray fabric, cardboard for the shark fin
How-to: Create fin for back and glue it to the elsatic fabric aroun your dog’s middle. Here is a tutorial
Size tip: Jaws-dropping on swimming breeds
25. The “404 Error” Costume
Materials: White poster board or white tshirt, black marker.
How-to: Write “404 Costume Not Found” on board or sthirt.
Size tip: Tech humor for any size geek dog.
Here’s the thing about diy dog halloween costumes – they’re more than just a way to save money (though your wallet will definitely thank you). Every time I see photos from last Halloween, I don’t just see Chevy in his mummy costume. I see the afternoon we spent laughing as he played with the wrap, the proud moment when he strutted down the street, and the joy on kids’ faces when they saw him and took pictures with him.
Share your diy dog halloween costumes in the comments below!
