Four Quick, Cheap and Easy DIY Dog Costumes
National Dress Up Your Pet Day is a legit day listed on calendars. Who knew? I, frankly think any day is a good day to have some fun and dress up your pet! In that light, I tried to put together some pet costume ideas that were affordable to make, easy to create, and didn’t make your pet uncomfortable while wearing it. Here are four quick, cheap and easy DIY pet costumes that anyone can make.
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We featured our costume ideas on our local television show called Mass Appeal on Monday, January 14th. You can see the costumes in action on Yoda along with the Cuddle Clones versions of Bean and Yoda in the segment below.
The Basics
You can order dog shirts that come in a multitude of colors and prices. We found cheap shirts on Amazon that served as a great “base” for adding other touches to make a costume. These shirts are great ways to make a costume that doesn’t affect your dog’s range of motion, their ability to see or their ability to move their head. While every animal is different, there’s a better chance that your dog will be much more comfortable in a costume where they are able to see clearly and move effectively. I don’t really think Yoda even realized he was wearing a costume when he was in his Spaghetti and Meatballs outfit while filming for Mass Appeal, which is exactly what I was hoping for!
Last, but super important point before ordering shirts for your pet. Each brand has their own unique sizing. Be sure to consult their sizing chart and know your dog’s dimensions before placing an order. I knew this in advance, and I still managed to buy shirts that wound up being a bit too small for Yoda. Since I didn’t have time to mail them back and I knew he wouldn’t be wearing it for a long time, it wasn’t a big deal, but I want to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible and having the most positive experience he can have while in a costume. Something that’s a bit too snug, much like with us humans trying to wear pants that are a size too small, could make someone uncomfortable.
Cow Costume
This is the most simplistic costume of the four created. Here’s what you need:
Dog Shirt (we chose a white base, other colors could work, too)
A couple sheets of felt (tan & brown were our color selections)
An Iron
Fabric Scissors
Using your scissors and your imagination, start cutting shapes you think a cow might have as its markings. I created different size ovals, kidney shapes, and other rounded shapes in both colors.
Once you’ve cut enough shapes to cover your dog shirt, heat up your iron according to the directions on the iron on adhesive directions (medium heat, no steam).
Place an old sheet or towel on the ironing board to protect it from any potential rogue adhesive.
Transfer adhesive to your “cow spots.”
Place a spot on your dog shirt and “make it official” by ironing it in place.
Continue to place and iron spots however you wish.
Voila, you now have a dog that is also a cow!
“Boos” Hound Costume
While not much different than the cow costume, you will be in charge of making your ghost faces using a permanent marker. You can choose to make them cute or spooky, or a combo like what we made. Here’s your material list:
