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8 easy and affordable small dog Halloween costume ideas that are perfect for both tricks and treats

Try one of these costumes for your little dog

French bulldog dog dressed up with funny cactus Halloween dog costume
Firn / Shutterstock

With so much spooky cuteness rolled up into a four-legged package, it’s tough to top dogs in Halloween costumes. Everyone you meet is in for a treat, especially when you have a well-thought-out outfit for your pup. And maybe they’ll see a trick, too, if your dog is up for it.

These small dog Halloween costumes pack an extra punch of sweetness with their miniature sizing, but many come (or can be made) in various sizes. From DIYs to store bestsellers, these outfits for petite pups will surely be winners come Halloween night. These are our eight frighteningly (or not so much) fabulous favorites.

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DIY your dog a pair of custom bat or dragon wings

A Boston terrier puppy wearing a pair of bat wings sits in front of a white background with a fake spider next to them
cynoclub / Shutterstock

Your pet may not breathe fire, but he can definitely act like it. Unleash your doggo’s inner dragon with a quick and fun DIY project you can spend as much time on as you like. All you need is cardboard or foam core, paint, a harness or jacket for your pup, and something like Velcro or hot glue to attach the wings to the harness.

First, use your cardboard or foam core and scissors to cut out a pair of wings, then decorate them however you like. You can use paint, sequins, fabric, or anything else that won’t weigh down the cardboard/foam core. Once the wings are all prepared, use your Velcro (or whatever fastener you’d like) to attach them to the harness or jacket. Keeping the wings attached while your buddy moves around is the trickiest part, so give yourself plenty of time to experiment.

A mailman costume for dogs because even pups can dress scary on Halloween

A small white dog sits while wearing a 'standing' mailman costume
California Costumes

If you can’t beat them, join them! With this adorable front-facing costume, your dog can come to the dark side by dressing up as his nemesis, the mailman. It even includes stuffed arms in the front to create the appearance of a person walking on two legs. You’ll get a kick out of your pup in this costume. Though other dogs might find it scary.

This USPS costume for dogs includes a United States Postal Service hat, a half-body costume, and a small cardboard box accessory. It comes in four sizes, so you’re bound to find the “paw-fect” fit. Of course, there are also dog costume options if you’re a UPS family.

Try an adorable knitted animal hood to keep your dog warm and comfortable

A pug in a pumpkin halloween costume
asingingwife / Pixabay

These “snoods are sweater-style hoods that keep your dog’s neck, head, and ears warm in the cold. Not to mention — they’re adorable! You can pick from several cute animal styles, from reindeer to giraffes and even unicorns. Or go with the traditional pumpkin. Plus, a Jedi-approved Yoda style! With different sizes to try, every dog will find their perfect snood.

Each snood is knitted and crocheted to perfection, so you know you’re getting the best quality materials for your dog. With their soft, stretchy fabric, your pooch may not mind wearing these as a costume or even to stay warm all autumn and winter long.

Walking teddy bear costumes for dogs are just as funny as they sound

Walking teddy bear dog costume
Rubie's

This remake of a classic costume went viral a few years ago as one of the first “walking” pet costumes that give the appearance of a person or animal walking on two legs (just like the mailman costume above). Plenty of walking teddy bear dog costumes are available online or in pet stores, but you can make one, too!

A fair warning- teddy bears will be harmed while making this costume. All you need to do is cut the face and bottoms of the feet off of a bear. Then, cut open the back. Remove all the stuffing except for what’s in the arms, and then slip your pup’s front legs inside the bear’s legs — easy! For this to work best, the teddy bear you choose will be about the same height as your dog, from the top of the head to the bottom of their feet.

When it comes to dogs in costumes, hot dog outfits are always wieners – we mean, winners

Hot dog small dog Halloween costume
Jenn_C / Shutterstock

Whether you have a dachshund or another small breed, they’ll look absolutely scrumptious as your favorite ballpark food this Halloween. Luckily, outfits like these are in no short supply; it’s a classic small dog Halloween costume.

This hot dog costume sits on your dog’s back and uses straps around his chest and stomach for support, so it’ll stay on while your pup stays comfy — even while running. The straps make for easy on and off, too, so you won’t have to spend all Halloween night just trying to get Fido dressed. He can even go potty without taking this costume off.

Dress your dog like the hero they are with a superhero dog costume

Superhero small dog Halloween costume
Ekaterina Demidova / Alamy

Dogs are everyday heroes, so they should dress like one, too! Hero and villain costumes from franchises like Marvel and DC are popular, even for dogs, but this adorable Wonder Woman pet suit takes the cake as one of our favorites. With a sparkly skirt and a tiny headband to match, how could you not love it?

Superhero costumes for dogs can be as simple as trimming a store-bought cape to the perfect size for your pup, so don’t overthink it. The costume itself is only a piece of the fun on Halloween.

A spider costume for dogs will have passersby doing a double-take at your spooky furry friend

A small black dog dressed in a spider Halloween costume walks on an orange carpet toward people
Xinhua / Alamy

If you don’t mind giving a few people a Halloween spook, try dressing your pup in a life-size spider costume! Not only will they look hilarious running around with eight extra legs attached, but they’ll also get a reaction out of everyone they meet–guaranteed! Do be warned, though– this may not be a great pet costume idea for dog owners with arachnophobia. Even though it’s just a costume, the thought of a giant spider is enough to make many people’s skin crawl.

Online, you can find simpler costumes that include spider legs attached to a belt to strap around your pooch, or you can splurge for a more intricate outfit. The Frisco spider dog costume from Chewy includes a hat that shows off multiple spider eyes, while another gives the spider a more colorful, cartoon look. Whatever direction you take is up to you

For a cute vibe, let your pup shine as the cutest pumpkin in the patch

A puppy dressed in a fluffy pumpkin costume
Donald Bowers Photography / Shutterstock

Halloween night already contains more spooky things than your dog will know what to do with, so why not dress them up as something cute to balance it out? A pumpkin is one of the most classic symbols of fall and Halloween, after all, so your dog will be just as festive as the carved jack-o-lanterns on your porch.

This precious pumpkin hoodie for dogs is as cute as it gets, but you’ll also love how easy it is to dress your pup in. Simply slip their front legs through the sleeves and button the snaps at the front! Your dog won’t even need to wear the hood in order to be recognizable, but be sure to snap a picture if they don’t mind it on their head.

Whatever vibe you’re going for this year, the perfect costume for your dog is just waiting to be found — or made! Creativity is part of the fun of Halloween, so it’s the perfect time to practice your imaginative DIY skills. No matter what you decide, we know your dog will love it!

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Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
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