DIY Dog Halloween Costumes: 20 Adorable and Easy Ideas You Can Make at Home!

Halloween is fast approaching, and if you're excited about dressing up your pup, now’s the time to get serious! Finding the perfect costume can be a challenge for a variety of reasons—whether it’s not cute enough, too expensive, or simply unavailable in the right size. 

Of course, there are plenty of Halloween costumes for dogs available at pet stores, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and more—but sometimes, it's easier (and more fun!) to make your own! With a little creativity, you can craft an adorable costume using items you probably already have around the house. Here’s a list of 20 super cute DIY costumes that are budget-friendly and simple to create.

1. Ty Plush

   
   

   

   photo creds: Kaitlyn Cotter

   Turn your pup into your very own plushie! All you need is a printer or some construction paper to create a cute tag, and a string to attach it to your dog’s collar or loosely tie it around their neck.

   
   

2. Hershey Kiss

   
   

   

   Got some aluminum foil handy? Simply wrap their body in the foil and craft a cute little hat to match. For an extra sweet touch, print out a Hershey’s Kiss label to complete the look. Just be mindful if you live in a warm climate—keep an eye on your pup to ensure they don’t overheat in their metallic ensemble!

   
   

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

   
   

   

   Transform your pup into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with an aluminum serving dish and some cloth. Paint the dish to look like a turtle shell and add fabric in the color of your favorite turtle—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, or Raphael! For extra fun, get the whole family involved by dressing up as the rest of the TMNT crew and become a crime-fighting squad together!

   
   

4. Ghost

   
   

   

   A ghost costume is one of the simplest—and most adorable—costumes you can create for your pup! All it takes is a white sheet. Cut out holes for their eyes and snoot, drape it over them, and voilà—your furry friend is now the cutest little ghost haunting the neighborhood

   
   

5. Scooby Doo

   
   

This costume couldn’t be easier! All you need is a printer or some construction paper to create Scooby-Doo’s signature collar tag. If your pup already has a blue collar, you’re ahead of the game—bonus points for that! For extra fun, get the whole family involved by dressing up as the rest of the Scooby-Doo gang.

6. The Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood

   
   

   

   photo creds: erin.foley

   What could be cuter than this costume? If you’re planning to dress up as Little Red Riding Hood, why not turn your pup into the perfect "grandmother" in disguise? Simply dress them in some cozy clothes—a bonnet, a shawl, or even a pair of glasses—and watch as they impersonate the fairy tale’s sneaky wolf pretending to be Grandma.

   
   

7. Burglar

   
   

   

   photo creds: mycaninelife

   If your pup is a master treat thief, this costume is perfect for them! Dress them up as a sneaky little bandit with a simple black-and-white striped shirt. For extra flair, get creative and craft a hat or eye mask using fabric you already have at home.

   
   

8. Georgie from IT

   
   

   

   If you're a fan of classic horror films, this costume is perfect for you and your pup! Turn your furry friend into Georgie from IT by simply putting them in a yellow raincoat. To complete the look, add a red balloon. You can dress up as Pennywise for a spooky duo, or have your family and friends join in by dressing as the rest of the kids from the movie.

9. Cowboy

   
   

   

   Yeehaw! This adorable costume only requires a bandana and cowboy hat, which you most likely have lying around the house.

   
   

10. Ice Cream Cone

    
    

    

    photo creds: Jenn Frates

    This adorable ice cream cone costume is a sweet idea—especially if you have an old e-collar lying around and your pup doesn’t mind wearing it! Simply transform the collar by painting it to look like a waffle cone or attaching paper to create the same effect. Add a cherry on top or colorful sprinkles by crafting them out of construction paper for an extra touch of cuteness.

    
    

11. Martini

    
    

    

    photo creds: Jenn Frates

    This is another adorable costume that you can make out of an old e-collar. Simply print out or color some olives and put it on a kebab stick or something similar and there it is. The perfect drink!

    
    

12. Kissing Booth

    
    

    

    If you’ve got an empty box lying around and a pup who loves giving out kisses, this "Kissing Booth" costume is perfect! Simply cut a hole for your dog's face and decorate the front with a fun "Kissing Booth" sign, adding some festive decorations for extra flair. As your pup greets trick-or-treaters, they can hand out sweet puppy kisses along with the candy, making your house the most memorable stop on the block!

    
    

13. Deer

    
    

    

    If your dog has a lovely caramel brown coat, transforming them into an adorable deer is a breeze! Simply use some flour or dog-safe paint to create cute spots all over their body, instantly giving them a whimsical woodland look.

    
    

14. Pooh Bear

    
    

    

    This adorable costume is both quick and easy, requiring just a red shirt to get started. To complete the look, craft a DIY honey pot that adds a fun touch. For an extra layer of fun, involve your family by dressing up as the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood crew.

    
    

15. Smores'

    
    

    

    This DIY smores costume requires only cardboard, fluff, and string or glue. Start by putting dots on your cardboard to resemble graham crackers and put glue or string on some fluff to the cardboard. Then simply attach the costume to your dog's harness.

    
    

16. Cow

    
    

    

    This adorable cow costume is easy to create using black and brown construction paper! Start by cutting out spots from the black paper and crafting horns from the brown paper, then attach them to your pup’s outfit. For added fun, have the rest of your family dress up as other farm animals or even as a farmer to complete the barnyard theme.

    
    

17. Business Pup

    
    

    

    Searching for the perfect business partner? Dress your pup in some office attire you have lying around and see how your trick or treating business soars.

    
    

18. Dobby

    
    

    

    For all you Harry Potter fans, be sure to add Dobby to your Hogwarts crew. Simply drape your pup in a cloth and tie over the shoulder.

    
    

19. Flower

    
    

    

    
    

    Want your pup to be the prettiest flower in the garden? Transform them into a floral masterpiece by crafting colorful petals and leaves from construction paper! Attach the petals around their face to create a stunning flower crown, and watch as they bloom into the most beautiful pup around.

    
    

French Fries

This scrumptious costume is perfect for your pup, especially if you have a Frenchie! Begin by crafting a cardboard box and fill it with yellow pool noodles. Have your pup sit in the box, and watch as they become an adorable box of french fries that’s cute enough to eat!

Whether you’re going for spooky, silly, or simply sweet, these creative ideas are sure to bring joy and smiles to your neighborhood or family and friends. Remember, the best part of Halloween is spending time with your pup, so have fun crafting these costumes together! Leave a comment with what you and your pup are being this year, and feel free to drop a photo! Happy howling, and may your Halloween be filled with treats, tail wags, and lots of love!

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*Disclaimer: I do not own any of these photos. If you own one of these photos please reach out for credit or removal.*