The Halloween season is drawing near, and cat parents only have one fear—will their feline friend accept or completely reject a cute costume?
For many human cat companions, the mere thought of putting clothes on their purrfect pal is enough to send shivers down their spine. By nature, cats like to be free to explore and climb, so anything that feels restrictive is immediately spurned. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up our top picks for Halloween cat costumes that take into consideration a variety of characteristics, fur colorings, and quirks that cats tend to share. Of course there is no cat exactly like your cat (or cats), so be sure to factor in any pawticular preferences and peculiarities of your cat while shopping for spirited cattire.
For those who dare, here are the best Halloween costumes for cats.
Best Overall
Frisco Slice of Bread Cat Costume
Very easy to put on and take off
Fits a variety of sizes
Softness
Doesn’t cover ears
It makes us want toast
Sliced bread—famously considered to be one of the greatest inventions—is now an incredible cat costume. It’s our top pick for best overall because it’s easy to put on and take off, and odds are your cat will keep it on for at least enough time to snap a few photos. The hook-and-loop fastener will keep the carbs in place around your cat’s cute face. The soft, pillowy bread is affordable, compact in size, and easy to keep at one’s claw-tips all year round for playtime! We also like this Sunflower headpiece and this Donut.
Price at time of publish: $8
Best For Black Cats
Frisco Front Walking Granny Pet Costume
Role reversal! The cat becomes the human
Doesn’t cover the hind legs or tail
Very amusing to see in action
Covers ears
Black cats are a quintessential part of Halloween and are consistently one of the most popular Halloween costumes for people of all ages. This year, we think all the black cats should coordinate dressing up like the human of their choice. The Granny is our top pick, but there are several front-walking styles to choose from like the Workout Fanatic, the the Cowboy, and the Doctor.
Price at time of publish: $17
Best For Cats Used to a Harness
Hyde & EEK! Boutique Black Glitter Wings Cat Costume
Lightweight and easy to wear
Wide range of sizes
Elastic straps are thin and might shift
If your cat is accustomed to wearing a harness, then this costume will keep them in their comfort zone. Bat Glitter Wings is our top pick because they flutter and sparkle as your cat moves around in it. It’s a lightweight costume with elastic straps that make it easy to slip around your cat’s front legs, and it will fit a variety of feline shapes and sizes. We also enjoy this Shark costume that is a functional harness with a matching leash and this glow-in-the-dark Skeleton harness.
Price at time of publish: $5
Best Food Costume
Frisco Taco Cat and Dog Costume
It mimics a cuddly blanket
Easy fitting, with strap across chest
Wide range of available sizes
Makes us crave tacos
Hook and loop fasteners could potentially stick to fur
If your cat is the cuddly type that likes to nestle into a soft bed or blanket, then they might enjoy being a taco for a night! This plush disguise of deliciousness is designed to be comfortable and easy to take on and off. The neck and belly straps feature hook and loop fasteners to keep your cat inside the tortilla long enough for you to celebrate and commemorate the occasion with a photo session. And if you have more than one cuddlesome kitty, then you’ll have an order of tacos, and who doesn’t like tacos?! If you’re craving another flavor, we also like this Hotdog and this Slice of Pizza, which slides on like a t-shirt.
Price at time of publish: $15
Best For Cats That Love Cardboard
Frisco Halloween Mansion Cardboard Cat House, 2-Story
Think outside the box and let your cat get inside a box
Highly probability that your cat will like it
It’s technically not a costume
It’s not a costume in the traditional sense, but there are no rules on Halloween! Well, there are some for humans, but not for cats! If your cat has a strong desire to place themselves inside every cardboard box that comes their way, then Haunted Mansion Caretaker is the perfect costume. Good luck getting them out! They’ll feel right at home and you’ll get lots of adorable photos. This Jack-O-Lantern is also a great choice!
Price at time of publish: $26
Best Bandana
Frisco Glow in the Dark Mystical Print Dog & Cat Bandana
Budget friendly
Easy to put on
It's not enchanted
A great entryway into the meowgical world of cat costumes is with a bandana. Our top pick is the Glow-in-the-Dark Mystical Bandana which we like to think of as an enchanted cloak for cats. We recommend tying a loose knot first and then slipping it on your cat, but you can also try wrapping it around your cat’s neck and gently joining the ends. Once it’s on, hit the lights! The glow-in-the-dark print (with cats on it!) will instantly bring an otherworldly vibe into your space. We also like the Ghouls Night Out bandana and the Halloween Boo bandana which can be personalized with your cat’s name.
Price at time of publish: $8
Best For Cats That Enjoy Cinematic Classics
Disney Hocus Pocus Ride-On Sanderson Sisters Dog & Cat Costume
Doesn't cover ears or tail
Easy to get on and off
Wide range of available sizes
Hook and loop fasteners could potentially stick to fur
If you and your cat enjoy watching movies together, then why not see how they take to a costume inspired by one of the films you both fancy? Our favorite frock spotlights the renowned Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s Hocus Pocus. Like Thackery Binx, your cat will probably resent the trio of witches, but the ride-on style of this costume makes it easy to get on and off the most finicky of felines. We also like this Beetlejuice costume complete with a wig and this cozy Chewbacca vest.
Price at time of publish: $21
Best For Cats That Love Sports
Frisco Front Walking Cheerleader Dog & Cat Costume
It's spirited
Doesn’t cover the hind legs or tail
Wide range of available sizes
Covers ears
You’ll likely take a few time-outs before you can successfully dress your cat in their costume, but nothing compares to the feeling of victory. With the front walking Cheerleader costume, your cat will feel the spirit of the season and shout “meow” to get everyone amped up. It’s a festive, neutral look so your cat can root for the home team and the underdog all at once! We also like this Rufferee option, which is easier to slip on, and implies that your cat is both a referee and a dog. If your cat would prefer to show their allegiance to a team, we like these Customizable Jerseys that let you add your cat’s name or their favorite player.
Price at time of publish: $17
Best For Fancy Cats
Bootique Marie Antoinette Cat Costume
Posh and proper
Includes dress and wig
Wig cover ears
Velcro might stick to fur
Marie Antoinette adored cats and was known to have her Turkish Angora cats in attendance at her lavish parties. If your cat has a regal air about them, they’ll enjoy a majestic Halloween costume fit for a cat loving queen. Our top pick for fancy felines is this Marie Antoinette set featuring a posh white wig and a dress adorned with bows and ruffles. It might not be for every posh cat, so we also recommend this red carpet ready Tuxedo Collar, this Coco Chanel-inspired Cat Cardigan and this influencer status Strawberry Dress.
Price at time of publish: $18
The Slice of Bread Cat Costume is our top recommendation because it’s easy to put on, affordable, doesn’t require a lot of measuring, and won’t leave behind any crumbs! If you are looking for something even easier, the Haunted Mansion Caretaker is sure to be a hit among felines and their human companions hoping to snap a few festive photos. The cardboard box-as-costumes is also the most enticing option for cats when taking into consideration their primal desire to fit into a confined space.
What To Consider When Selecting A Cat Costume
Measure Your Meow
Cats come in a variety of adorable shapes and sizes. You should measure your cat around the fullest part of their chest and their neck to help you decide which size costume will be the most comfortable. And always consult the size chart for the specific costume you are considering. Sizes vary between brands, so your cat could be a size small for one manufacturer and a large for another.
Be Prepared to Bribe
You should definitely listen to and respect your cat’s (claws!!!) request to be left in their natural state, but you can always try again later with treats to bribe your feline friend into the outfit you’ve selected.
It’s All For Fun
Cats don’t seem to share the same enthusiasm for the spooky season as we mortals do, but that shouldn’t discourage you from bringing your cat into the fun! And maybe in 1,000 years cats will evolve to love Halloween costumes.
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Where can I buy Halloween costumes for cats?
Costumes for cats can be purchased at pet supply stores (e.g. Petco, Chewy), in-store and online retailers (e.g. Target, Amazon), and from independent creators (e.g. Etsy, Amazon Handmade). Most pet costumes are designed to be worn by dogs and cats.
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How do you put a costume on a cat?
Introduce your cat to the costume by leaving it out in their space. Let them get familiar with the feel and scent of the outfit. When you are ready to try it on them, we recommended having treats on-hand to redirect your cat's attention. If the costume goes over the head, like a t-shirt, put your cat's head through first and then carefully place their front legs into the sleeves. Stay calm, be patient, and make sure the costume isn't too tight.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a very cat-like pomeranian, Gidget, which she lovingly refers to as a meoweranian. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Anna embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.