Reasons to Dress Your Large Dog in a Costume

Halloween is a time for people to dress up and have some fun, and the same goes for dogs! Dog costumes range from small to XXL, there’s no reason your dogs shouldn’t be able to trick-or-treat with spooky friends.

A common misconception is that it’s more troublesome to dress bigger dogs, which we’re happy to say isn’t true. Large dog costumes can be just as affordable, easy to wear, and cute as their smaller counterparts. Though small dogs are more commonly shown in Halloween costumes, we think it’s time to give TLC to large dogs. We want to shed the truth on why it’s beneficial to deck them out with their own costume.

Besides just being fun for the whole family, there are several other reasons to dress your large dogs in costumes. We’ve listed our top reasons below to show just how beneficial dressing up a spider or pumpkin can be.

Creates Enrichment Opportunities

Holidays can be a great way to give your dog a break from the ho-hum monotony of everyday life. Although you want to create enrichment, it can be a challenge to come up with new activities for your dog.

Yearly events like Christmas and Halloween provide opportunities for your dog to engage in exciting and new experiences. Below are just a few of the holiday elements that make them so valuable for a dog’s continued enrichment:

• New People – whether it’s meeting family members or acquaintances, dogs will get lots of treats and playtime from new people
• New Experiences – dogs can take part in beloved traditions, from opening a gift to trick-or-treating to pulling on a wishbone
• New Sensory Information – sights, smells, and sounds are three senses that will be engaged as dogs explore their new surroundings.
• Adding a costume into this fun new mix adds even more enrichment opportunities. After the costume arrives, you and Fido can open the package, trying the outfit on, and even upcycling it!

Soothes Anxiety and Nervousness

If your dog is easily overwhelmed or nervous in general, costumes can be a great way to calm them down. Dogs automatically respond to light and gentle pressure on their torso by calming down and releasing calming hormones like oxytocin and/or endorphins, which is why pressure vests and tight clothing work so well. The right costumes can have the same effect, provided they’re form fitting and wrap around the entirely of the dog’s stomach, chest, and back. Think shirts and full costumes here, rather than vests and accessories. A tutu may look cute, but it won’t have the desired effect.

Costumes also have the added bonus of limiting the areas of contact on your dog’s body, thus also limiting opportunities for the dog to be overstimulated. Outfits like this Wonder Woman costume, Buzz Lightyear outfit, and Piñata getup all cover a significant portion of your dog’s body.

Protects Against the Elements

Larger dogs need to be protected from the elements just as much as smaller dogs, especially if you have a breed with short hair or minimal fat protection. Costumes and outfits are fun to wear and share on social media, but they can also serve practical purposes.

• Keeps your dog warm in cold weather.
• Shields your dog during rain and storms.
• Guards against sun damage and burns.
• Cools your dog down during summer.
• Protects against insects and underbrush.

More specific items like dog boots and life vests only serve to protect one part of your dog. For example, dog boots prevents snow or heat damage to paw pads. If you’re active with your large dog and take them outside in a variety of weather conditions, clothing and protective gear may be beneficial.

Provides Valuable Socialization

We briefly covered this point when talking about how cute puppies in Halloween costumes are actually enriching as well as adorable, but we’ll go more in-depth here. During the holidays, your dog has the chance to meet quite a few new friends, or reunite with old friends that they haven’t seen in some time.

Holidays like Halloween provide more opportunity for this, as kids and families are more abundant in every neighborhood and crowds tend to change every year. Easter is another time that your dog may be able to make new friends.

Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and even non-holidays like weddings each provide venues for socialization but may also have the benefit of being filled with more familiar faces. Having known family members and friends of your inner circle will reassure your dog and give him or her the confidence to meet new people without fear.

Promotes Inclusivity

Dog costumes are wonderfully versatile and varied, meaning that all dogs can happily and safely wear them. Regardless of size or health, there are costumes available to fit every canine need. Some of the dogs that may benefit from such extensive options include:

• Senior dogs with medical conditions like hip dysplasia
• Dogs that are blind, deaf, or otherwise sensory impaired
• Dogs that are missing a limb or in a wheelchair
• Large dogs, extra-large dogs, and/or overweight dogs

Whether you’re simply getting your dog a tiara or decking them out in a full Disney princess (or prince) outfit, costumes provide a much-needed sense of inclusivity and normalcy.

They give your furry best friend the opportunity to join in the family fun and have the same experiences as other dogs.
This is also beneficial for children or other family members who may be suffering from medical conditions or who meet some of the other criteria listed above, such as being older or having sensory issues. Matching costumes for dogs and their owners are not only endearing to look at, but can also provide a sense of normalcy for the person involved.

In fact, some of the best Halloween ideas around are based on coordinating dog and human costumes. Batman and Robin, Micky and Minnie, Cruella and one of her 101 Dalmatians— none of these duos would be as interesting on their own. You can even add a third party to your fun with cat and dog couples costumes.

Offers Accessible and Affordable Options

If you search ‘dog Halloween costumes near me’ and don’t get any results, don’t worry because you’re still in luck! Online retailers have more costumes in stock than ever before and features a variety of sizes and options. Need an X-large dog costume? No problem. Want an outfit that won’t touch your dog’s stomach? Done and done. How about a simple cape to enhance your dog’s natural flair? Easy.

No matter where you live or what needs your dog may have, there is a wide selection of costumes available. Shipping is included and may even be free for online costumes, and delivery dates have never been quicker.

Affordable costumes also mean that money is no longer a barrier to your dog participating in holidays and looking their best for family photos. Large and extra-large dog costumes are as affordable as small dog costumes. They also hold up just as well and are a cost-effective solutions for years of holiday fun and dress.

Serves as an Extra Security Measure

Certain activities like cycling or swimming can be fun and enriching for both two-legged and four-legged family members, but sometimes extra precautions are necessary. Costumes and outfits serve as an extra security measure to ensure your dog is as safe as possible. Flotation devices like swim vests are an example of this for owners who take their dogs to beaches. This can also be useful for hunting dogs who retrieve ducks or other waterfowl. Reflective clothing is another beneficial and popular choice for people who want to keep their dogs safe, especially at night. Evening bicycle rides or jogs keeps your dog exercised and happy, but reflective strips and collars keep them safe, too.

Stocks Year-Round Fun

Though dog costumes lend themselves to Halloween and other holidays, several retailers offer outfits that are appropriate for year-round use and fun. Winter fashion will keep your dog stylish and warm during snow days, sports clothes will help them rep your favorite teams, and birthday accessories are the perfect way to start their special day. The fun doesn’t have to end when the haunted houses pack up or the Christmas tree comes down.
Instead, you can fill every day with a new stylish surprise. Large dogs often get treated to new collars, bandanas, and bows, but are less frequently given whole outfits or costumes to enjoy.

Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case for your canine companion. With all of these options, your dog can be an individual trendsetter or match your outfit of the day. Either way, they can enjoy costumes and accessories year-round, just like you!

Are Costumes Right For Your Large Dog?

We’ve listed reasons why you should dress your dog in a costume, but ultimately the authority on your dog is you! You’re the only one who can accurately and safely judge whether your dog will enjoy wearing a costume and reap the benefits we’ve discussed above.

Do you think any of the reasons above are applicable to your dog and may benefit him or her? Now is the right time to look at all the available costumes and see if any fit your dog’s personality.

Whether just one or all of the reasons relate to your dog, you can choose from a wide selection of costumes, outfits, and accessories to celebrate the holidays or party because it’s finally the weekend. Your dog could be a superhero, transform into another animal, or even be a piece of pizza!