Chicagoans, like Americans everywhere, are ready to kick COVID to the curb with Halloween festivities. Plans to celebrate Halloween are up this year compared with last and are close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
A lot of four-legged family members will be getting in on the fun, too. One in five pet parents intend to dress their pet up for Halloween this year, according to the survey. Younger adults are more likely to dress their pets in costume, with 28 percent of those aged 18–24 and 30 percent of those aged 25–34 planning to do so.
The most popular costumes for pet lovers include a pumpkin (10 percent), hot dog (5 percent), superhero or cat (each tied at 4 percent) and bumblebee (3 percent), according to the survey.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We found plenty of clever and unusual costumes to round out the possibilities. Get ready for lots of smiles when you take your dog for a walk in one of these Instagram-worthy costumes.
If the popular hot dog costume is too predictable for your taste, consider this: Tasty Taco Pet Costume
OMG! Clear the sidewalks for Spider Dog! Spider Pup Dog Costume
Nothing says Halloween like a killer clown: Ghost Town Clown Pet Illusion Costume
For the dog (or cat) with artistic sensibilities: French Artist Costume
Is your dog a real sweetheart? Get the message across with one of these delectable costumes: Banana Split Ice Cream Sundae Dog Costume & Cupcake Dog Costume
It’ll be love at first bite with this vampire outfit. Available for cats too! Dracula Dog & Cat Costume
Does your female dog have super powers? She needs this! Supergirl Dog Costume
This fun costume delivers the goods: UPS Dog Costume
Take your Toto out for a walk dressed like Dorothy, down to the red ruby shoes. Available for game kitties too. Wizard of Oz Dorothy Dog & Cat Costume
Always measure your dog before ordering a costume — usually around the neck (snug like a collar), around the chest (at the widest part) and down the body (from the base of the neck to the base of the tail).
If your dog can’t easily breathe, walk or potty while in the costume, forget the costume, no matter how cute or funny it is. Likewise, forgo any costume with dangling objects that could be swallowed, or one that impedes your dog’s vision or hearing.
For more Halloween safety tips for your fearsome Fido, check out these safety tips!
