Top 10 Ideas for Celebrating Halloween with Pets
From costumes to pet-themed Halloween parties, here are 10 paw-some ideas for celebrating Halloween with pets.
Halloween is right around the corner, and there's no reason your furry friend shouldn't get in on the spooky fun!
From dressing up your pet to hosting a Howl-oween party for all your friends' furry companions, there are so many ways to make this October 31st a pet-friendly Halloween. Plus, celebrating Halloween with your dog or cat can create lifelong memories, boost your creativity, and (let’s face it) result in some pretty adorable photo ops!
So, if you’re ready to have a spook-tacular time with your four-legged best friend, we’ve gathered 10 paw-some pet-themed Halloween celebration ideas just for you.
1. Dress Up Your Pet...and Match Their Style!
Nothing says Halloween like a great costume, and your pet deserves to join in the dress-up game! Whether you go for a store-bought look or DIY a clever ensemble, your dog or cat will be the talk of the town with their adorable pet Halloween costume.
You could even take it up a notch and go for matching costumes with your pet for true Instagram-worthy moments. Here are some pet + human Halloween costume ideas:
- Superhero and Sidekick
- Witch and Warlock
- Pirate and Parrot
- Lion and Lion Tamer
- Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin
- Bee and Beekeeper
Or, check out this list of easy-to-make Halloween costume ideas for dogs and cats from Pinterest.
2. Treat Them to Some Pet-Friendly Candy
We all know that chocolate is a no-go for pets, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy their own Halloween treats!
Make or buy some pet-friendly candy to keep your pup or cat included in the holiday sugar rush. Plus, making homemade pet treats is always a great bonding activity. Here are some drool-worthy dog-friendly candy recipes to try:
Is Fido still insistent on getting a share of the trick or treating stash? Some human candy, like Skittles and Starbursts, is okay to share with dogs in small amounts.
3. Turn Your Pet Into a Jack-o’-Lantern
Why carve a regular pumpkin when you can carve your pet's face into one?
Use a stencil of your pet to create the ultimate tribute to your furry companion. Check out these jack-o'-lantern stencils for popular dog breeds, or just print a photo of your pet, cut out your pet’s shape, and use that as your custom pet jack-o'-lantern stencil.
Who needs spooky faces when you can have the adorable face of your dog or cat glowing on your porch?
4. Deck the Walls with Custom Pet Art
Many of us decorate the outside of our homes for Halloween, but if you want to also bring the pet Halloween celebration indoors, why not decorate your house with custom pet art?
PugMug offers personalized pet portraits for dogs and cats in five amazing Halloween-themed art styles, which you can then order on a variety of custom pet wall art options:
Decorate your walls with spooky decor of your pet to keep the Halloween spirit going all day long.
5. Take a Haunted Walk
Explore your neighborhood and check out all the amazing Halloween decorations with your pet! It's a great way for them to get some exercise, and you might get some inspiration for your own Halloween setup.
Just make sure your pet is comfortable around all the spooky sights and sounds before taking them on a Halloween stroll - no one knows your pet better than you.
6. Pumpkin: It’s More Than Just a Jack-o’-Lantern
Did you know that pumpkins are not only a festive decoration but also a healthy food for dogs and cats?
Pumpkins are packed with fiber and help with digestion for both dogs and cats. Talk about a seasonal superfood!
Here are a few of our favorite pet-friendly pumpkin recipes:
7. Go Trick-or-Treating
Thinking about taking your pet trick-or-treating? Make sure you know your pet’s limits, as some pets may be spooked by costumes and crowds. Here are some tips for preparing your pup for their first trick-or-treating adventure.
However, if your pet loves attention and can handle the excitement, trick-or-treating with pets can be a super fun experience for both of you! They get the exercise and you get extra-spooky bonding time with your furry friend.
8. Throw a Pet Halloween Party
Invite all your friends and their furry companions over for a pet-themed Halloween bash!
Costumes, pet-friendly treats, and fun games are a recipe for a paws-itively perfect time. Check out these dog-themed Halloween party ideas for more inspiration.
Going to a Halloween party where pets aren't invited? Have no fear! Just bring them along in spirit by wearing a custom hoodie or t-shirt featuring your dog or cat's Halloween portrait.
9. Adopt a Black Cat
If you’ve been thinking about adopting a pet, Halloween is the perfect time to bring home a black cat!
These mystical felines have a reputation for being unlucky, but we know they’re anything but. Give one a loving home and add a little extra magic to your life. (Bonus: black cats make for amazing Halloween photo ops!)
10. Snuggle Up for a Pet-Themed Halloween Movie Night
Who says Halloween has to be all about thrills and chills? Sometimes a cozy night in with your pet and a few Halloween-themed pet movies is the perfect way to celebrate.
Snuggle up on the couch with a blanket (or a custom pet pillow) and enjoy some of these Halloween-themed flicks that feature dogs and cats:
- Frankenweenie (2012)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- Coraline (2009)
- Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
Check out this list for even more Halloween-themed dog movie suggestions!
Conclusion: Howl You Be Celebrating?
Halloween is a great opportunity to celebrate the special bond between you and your pet. Whether you're trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, or simply enjoying some seasonal treats together, these ideas for celebrating Halloween with pets will help you make the most of the spooky season.
And don’t forget—PugMug offers a whole range of Halloween-inspired art and gifts for both dog and cat lovers, from custom pet portraits to themed jigsaw puzzles and more!
Explore our full collection to make this Halloween extra special.
Do you and your pets have any special Halloween traditions? We’d love to hear about them! Share your pet Halloween celebration ideas and traditions with us at help@pugmug.ai to be featured in our next blog post.