Halloween is just days away, and people everywhere are getting ready to show off their fun and clever costumes — and in many cases, their pets’ costumes!
Costumes for cats and dogs are a fun way to get your pet in the holiday spirit, and there are more options than ever, from classic Halloween staples to pop culture-inspired costumes based on recent hit movies and shows.
So what are people dressing their pets up as in 2024? Here are some of the year’s most popular pet costumes — take a look, you might just get some inspiration for your own pet!
Top Dog Costumes, According to Google
Google’s annual “Frightgeist” page compiles the year’s most popular costumes, based on Google searches, including a list just for dog costumes.
The most trendy dog costume of 2024 is “Dogpool,” Deadpool’s odd-looking doggy sidekick in the hit summer blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. Dogpool was played by Peggy, a pug and Chinese Crested mix, who was named “Britain’s ugliest dog” last year before Ryan Reynolds recruited her for the superhero role.
In second place is “Stegosaurus,” followed by “Hot Dog” and “Basketball.” Other pop-culture inspired fits made the list: Beetlejuice, who returned to theaters this year in the long-awaited sequel, comes in at #5, followed by Wolverine at #6.
Sherlock Holmes, Batman, the Minions and the Target dog are also popular picks, all making Google’s top 15.
Survey Results: Top 10
Pet website Rover also compiled their own list of the most popular pet costumes of 2024, based on a survey of 1,000 pet owners in the US.
“Hot Dog” comes in at number #1 here, clearly an evergreen favorite among dog owners. We have to imagine this is especially popular for “wiener dogs.” Another food choice, “Taco,” ranks high at #3.
In second place is former president and current candidate Donald Trump — perhaps not too surprising given that Halloween falls just a few days before the US election. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris doesn’t appear on the list, nor do either running mate or Joe Biden, but perhaps Trump just is easier to depict in costume form — just give your dog a wig and red tie.
Horror icon Chucky makes the list at #5. Other pop culture favorites include Minion at #6 and Beetlejuice at #8. Football player, superhero, dragon and skeleton are also popular picks, rounding out the list.
Rover also included some “obscure” costume choices from respondents: a few people are apparently dressing their dogs as Aaron Judge, “very demure” and Biggie Smalls, and their cats as Lebron James, Jake from State Farm and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
They also reported that 71% of pet owners are planning to dress their dog in a costume, and 75% of those intend to coordinate their costumes with their dog.
Amazon Bestsellers
Another way to gauge what people are dressing their pets as for Halloween is to check Amazon. We checked the “Dog Costumes” category and ranked by Best Sellers to see what people have been buying.
The top result is a lion mane, perfect for making your dog the king of the jungle for the night. Following right behind is a clever costume consisting of a saddle and a stuffed rodeo cowboy, making it look like he’s riding your little dog.
Chucky is also a top seller, as are classic Halloween staples like spider, pirate, vampire, dinosaur and bat. Another popular pick is Scooby Doo’s classic collar tag, a perfect simple costume option if you have a big dog like a Great Dane.
And in one of our favorite costumes, you can turn your dog into the thing he hates most in the world: a UPS driver!
Costume Safety Tips
Halloween costumes are generally considered to be safe for pets, but it’s important to monitor your pet’s comfort and keep them away from any hazardous materials.
Make sure that the costume is the right size and fits comfortably on your pet. Avoid costumes that might obstruct your dog’s senses or movement, which can cause anxiety and distress. Don’t put too much on their heads or feet. Make sure they can see and hear clearly.
Don’t use any paints or dye that might be toxic if consumed, and also avoid any small decorative parts of the costume — buttons, beads, sequins, etc. — that might become a choking hazard if your dog chews them off.
What Are Humans Dressing as in 2024?
While we’ve talked a lot about pet costumes, but you might still be deciding on a costume for yourself. With that in mind, here’s a quick overview on some of the most popular costumes (for humans) this year.
According to Google, the top trending costume is “Shrunken Head Bob,” who made a memorable return Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The hit Tim Burton sequel was a huge inspiration for Halloween costumes this year, with many entries on the list.
Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife played by Monica Belluci, comes in at #4, as many people apparently searched “fake staples” after the movie came out. Deelia and Lydia Deetz also make the list, though Beetlejuice himself is strangely absent.
Many people are also dressing up as the emotions from Inside Out 2, with Envy, Anger, Disgust, Anxiety and Joy all ranking in the top 25.
While the list is mostly pop culture-inspired, two real people made the list: infamous Olympics breakdancer Raygun comes in at #2 (many people apparently searched for “green and yellow track suit”) and pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.
Are you dressing your dog up for Halloween? Did your pet’s costume make any of these lists of the most trendy choices?