Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

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

Small dog Halloween costumes don't have to be spendy - try one

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

These small dog Halloween costumes pack an extra punch of cuteness with their miniature sizing, but many come (or can be made) in a variety of sizes. From DIYs to store bestsellers, these outfits for petite pups are sure to be winners come Halloween night.

Related Videos

These are our frighteningly fabulous favorites.

A black, brown, and white dog wears a ghost headband on his head.He's carrying a felt pumpkin bucket.

DIY your dog a pair of custom dragon wings

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

Dog mailman costume

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

If you can’t beat them, join them! Your dog can come to the dark side by dressing up as his nemesis, the mailman, with this adorable front-facing costume. 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 a bit spooky…

This USPS mail person costume for dogs includes a United States Postal Service hat, half-body costume, and small cardboard box accessory. It comes in four sizes, so you’re bound to find the “paw-fect” fit!

A pug in a pumpkin Halloween costume

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

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. Plus a new Yoda style! With three 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 just to stay warm!

Walking teddy bear dog costume

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

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). There are plenty of walking teddy bear dog costumes available for purchase online or in pet stores, but you can make one, too!

A fair warning — teddy bears will be harmed in the making of 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!

Hot dog small dog Halloween costume

When it comes to dogs in costumes, hot dog outfits are always winners

Whether you have a dachshund or another small breed, they’ll be 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.

A small dog in a ghost costume stands with a pumpkin treat bucket in his mouth

A Beanie Baby pet costume is the easiest small dog Halloween costume to DIY

This homemade dog costume is as easy as it gets, especially since you most likely have everything you need already at home. It’s perfect for a last-minute outfit change, or if last year’s costume no longer fits. You’ll start by cutting a heart shape out of cardboard, then decorating it to look like the red and yellow Beanie Baby tag we all know and love.

What makes this costume so quick and easy is that you don’t need any special outfit or accessories — just tie the homemade “tag” to your dog’s collar and you’re ready to roll! You can go the extra mile by writing your dog’s name, birthday, and a cute poem on the tag, but that’s optional.

Superhero small dog Halloween costume

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

Dogs are everyday heroes, so they should dress like one! 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 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.

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 to you, we know your dog will love it!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
What are the 7 breed groups and where does my dog fit in? Find out what your pup is known for
The American Kennel Club dog groups and the breeds that fit in them
A group of dogs sits on the sidewalk during their walk

We know dogs came to us from wild canines (likely wolves or jackals) and probably domesticated themselves rather than the other way around. In the process, different types of pups came about, possibly splitting into groups more than 5,000 years ago! To categorize all these beasties, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has a list of recognized breeds, each of which fits into one of the seven groups. We'll walk you through the breed groups so you can determine where your pooch fits best.

What are breed groups?
Like any other classification system, these categories came about to help determine where each animal goes due to specific characteristics. In this case, breeds are placed together based on the original job they were bred to do. That means if you went back in time to your dog's ancestors, you would see them performing a job and being bred to do it well. Now, certain breeds continue to have similar dispositions as a result.

Read more
3 things the experts wished pet parents knew about keeping dogs safe in winter
Paw health, illness prevention, and winter clothes for dogs: Expert-recommended tips
A brown dog holds a soccer ball toy in their mouth while standing in the snow

Playing in the snow might seem like a dream come true, but there's a lot you need to do to keep everyone safe and healthy in the winter. Insulated coats are just the beginning! There are countless ways to protect your dog from hazards like frostbite, but there are also hidden dangers for dogs in snow, ice, or freezing conditions.

Before you start your frantic Google searching, though, we've asked several of the pet care industry's leading experts what they wish owners knew about keeping dogs safe in winter. You might be surprised by what they had to say! Luckily, even the most unexpected winter challenges have easy solutions, and we have them all listed for you here.

Read more
Do dogs really need winter boots? Experts weigh in
Find out why experts say your dog might need winter boots this year
A dog in the snow

Maybe it’s about to get frigid in your hometown, or perhaps it already has. Alternatively, maybe you live in a warm-weather state, but the temperatures are still about to drop lower than your pup is used to, making morning or evening walks more frightful than delightful.

When the weather gets cold, humans typically swap sweaters for heavy coats and shoes for boots. Dogs already have natural fur coats — though some benefit from sweaters and jackets. Can the same be said for footwear? Should you invest in winter boots for your dog? What happens if you do and Fido won’t wear them? Are morning walks off the table? 

Read more