Choosing a costume for your cat is easy, but getting your cat to let you put the costume on is usually a much different story. That doesn’t mean that you should give up on the idea of your cat participating in Halloween fun.
The best Halloween costumes are cute, fun, easy to put on—and stay on! We’ve rounded up the 10 best Halloween costumes for cats, complete with reviews. Hopefully, this list can help you choose a costume that even the most reluctant cat can get on board with.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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OMG Lion Mane Costume |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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Puoyis Pet Cat Bat Wings |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Miyakoo Cowboy Cat Costume |
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Check Price |
| Best for Kittens |
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Komii Pet Bread Slice Collar |
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Check Price |
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Namsan Pet Cat Sailor Costume |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Halloween Costumes for Cats
1. OMG Adorables Lion Mane Costume – Best Overall
| Material: | Polyester |
The best overall Halloween cat costume is the OMG Adorables Lion Mane costume. This costume just screams adorableness and is perfect for your ferocious feline, especially if you have a themed costume in mind such as The Wizard of Oz. The costume will look amazing and totally natural on cats with certain coat colors, such as orange tabby cats. However, it will look just as cute on cats of any color or size.
The reason why this costume works for cats of any size is that it is just worn on your cat’s head. You don’t have to worry about trying to find a costume big enough to fit around a chubby cat or one with thick fur. It’s also easy to put on because it just pulls over your cat’s head and velcros, so you don’t have to worry about your cat fighting you too much to wear it. However, it may be too big for a kitten to wear as it is designed for adult cats.
2. Puoyis Pet Cat Bat Wings – Best Value
| Material: | Cloth, felt |
The best cat Halloween costume for the money are the Puoyis Pet Cat Bat Wings. The lightweight felt material is very soft, so it will not add weight to your cat and shouldn’t cause any discomfort to your cat while being worn. This costume is simple, but it’s very cute and works great for finicky cats who won’t let you put other things on them. Your cat is likely to forget that they even have it on.
These bat wings are perfect for a black cat, but it still looks adorable on cats of any color. The velcro straps help keep the costume secure, and the straps are adjustable so that they can fit most cats, even kittens. However, the strap goes around the cat’s stomach so it may be uncomfortable for chunky cats.
3. Miyakoo Cowboy Cat Halloween Costume – Premium Choice
| Material: | Polyester |
The Miyakoo Cowboy Cat Halloween Costume is a little over-the-top compared to the other costumes on this list. But, it is perfect for cats who look grumpy, as they can perfectly embody that tough cowboy persona when they wear this costume. This costume comes with two separate pieces, a hat and the shirt, pants, and vest ensemble, which is designed to be worn on your cat’s front legs to give the cowboy the appearance of standing up.
The cowboy costume comes in four different sizes, ranging from extra small to large. Sizes extra small, small, and medium are recommended for cats, but you’ll likely have to take your cat’s measurements in order to get the most accurate fit. Don’t worry though, it tells you the measurements that each size is ideal for in the description. Getting your cat to let you measure him may be a different story. The downside to this costume is that it is more difficult to put on, so you may have a hard time getting your cat to actually wear it.
4. Komii Pet Bread Slice Collar – Best for Kittens
| Material: | Velvet |
The Komii Pet Bread Slice Collar is simple but adorable for mischievous kittens. It will appear as if they got their head stuck in a piece of bread. It can be hard to find a costume that is small enough to fit a kitten, and this bread slice collar comes in different sizes in order to fit even the smallest kittens (the smallest size will fit a kitten with a head circumference of eight inches!)
This collar can be purchased in sizes large enough for an adult cat as well, making it perfect for your lazy loaf of a cat. Some cats may even enjoy using it as a pillow. However, the head opening for each size doesn’t stretch and it isn’t adjustable, so it is important that you measure your cat’s head and neck circumference before purchasing so you can make sure you get the right size. If you just guess the size you need, it could be too big or too small.
5. Namsan Pet Cat Sailor Costume
| Material: | Cotton |
The Namsan Pet Cat Sailor Costume is made of breathable cotton material to ensure that your cat stays cool and comfortable while wearing it. It comes with two pieces, a hat, and a bandana, which are very detailed and put together nicely. The hat is not hollow, so it will sit on your cat’s head rather than fit snugly. But, it does have ear cutouts and a velcro strap to help the hat fit a little more securely.
The bandana features an adjustable Velcro strap, so it is easy to put on your cat and can be worn by cats of all sizes. However, the hat only comes in one size and is not adjustable. That means that even if the bandana fits your cat, the hat may not fit just right. It may fall off your cat’s head if you have a cat that does more than just lay around on the couch all day. But overall, this sailor costume is both affordable and adorable.
6. IFLYOOY Halloween Vampire Costume
| Material: | Satin |
The IFLYOOY Halloween Vampire Costume is perfect if you want your cat to look spooky for Halloween. It comes with a cape and a headpiece with red horns attached to it. The cape is made from a soft satin material while the headpiece features a plush lining and feathers. The satin and plush materials make this costume very soft and comfortable for your cat to wear, and the red and black color will surely make your cat stand out no matter what color he is.
Both the cape and the headpiece are adjustable, however, the headpiece is more adjustable than the cape is. It is designed for adult cats, but the sizes of both the cape and the headpiece are standard. If your cat has a small head, the headpiece may be too big even with adjusting it as tightly as it will go. Likewise, if your cat is chunky or has a lot of thick fur, the cape may be too small to fit comfortably around your cat’s neck. You may want to take measurements of your cat before purchasing to ensure that this costume will fit, but your cat could still wear one piece even if the other doesn’t fit well.
7. 5-Piece Costume Headwear for Cats
| Material: | Plush |
If you have multiple cats, then you can save money on costumes by buying the 5-Piece Costume Headwear for Cats. The set comes with three fruit-themed hats- an apple, banana, and pineapple- as well as a sunflower hat and bunny ears. Even if you only have one cat, you have costume ideas for the next five years with this set.
Each of these hats is adjustable, and some of the hats have ear cutouts if necessary. These two features aid in comfort so that the style of a particular hat doesn’t squish your cat’s ears while it is being worn and the strap won’t be too tight around your cat’s neck. But, some of the hats may end up being smaller than others, simply as a result of the overall design. And if you have any finicky cats that don’t like to be touched, it may be difficult to put the hat on their head. But overall, this is a very humorous costume idea for your kitties.
8. Bolbove Pumpkin Costume for Cats
| Material: | Polyester |
Some people just don’t like scary costumes, even for their pets. Pumpkins have long been the traditional symbol for Halloween, so the Bolbove Pumpkin Costume for Cats is classic and totally suitable for the occasion. Plus, the smiling pumpkin face can surely make even the grumpiest of cats look happier. The costume comes with two pieces, and while the cape features the pumpkin face, the hat is the pumpkin stem.
The polyester fabric used to make this costume has a plush feel to it, so your cat is sure to find it comfortable the same way he does your plush blankets. Both pieces of the costume are secured with Velcro, making it easy to just place it on your cat and fasten it. The pieces are adjustable as well, and the hat has cutouts for your cat’s ears, if necessary. However, as with other two-piece costumes, the hat can be too big for cats with small heads and the cape can be too small for chubby or extra-fluffy cats.
9. Nacoco Unicorn Hat Cat Costume
| Material: | Fleece |
The Nacoco Unicorn Hat Cat Costume is perfect for a fabulous cat. The colorful mane combined with the gold horn is sure to make your cat the life of any Halloween gathering. The costume is made of soft fleece fabric to ensure that it isn’t itchy around your cat’s head and neck area. The mane itself is made from plush fabric, and the entire costume is durable and machine-washable.
This unicorn hat can be worn securely around your cat’s neck due to the adjustable velcro strap. But, it only comes in one size, which is designed for cats with a neck circumference of 8.6 to 11.8 inches. It may be too big if your cat is smaller than that. Plus, the hat itself resembles a hood. Unless you have a cat with a large or fluffy head, the hood itself may fall off of your cat’s head easily.
10. Yafeite Halloween Spider Costume
| Material: | Felt cloth |
The Yafeite Halloween Spider Costume is definitely unique and creative and can be a great fit for any cat who doesn’t like for its head to be covered or feel restricted. The costume is made from a soft felt fabric, and the spider legs can be adjusted into different shapes. The costume can be secured in two places, around your cat’s neck and stomach, without feeling too tight and it can be adjusted to make sure you get the perfect fit. However, it is still a good idea to measure your cat first to make sure that the costume will fit.
The only issue with this costume is that the legs may get in the way. Although the legs can be adjusted into different shapes, your cat may still knock things over or may find it difficult to lay down while wearing the costume. Plus, some cats may freak out if they see the legs and don’t know what they are. Although this may be humorous to you, it won’t be so much to your cat.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Halloween Costume
Now that we’ve looked at several of the best Halloween costumes for cats, how do you know which one is the best choice for you and your cat? After all, you want to make sure that the costume at least fits your cat, even if you can’t control how long he’ll wear it. But, you know your cat better than we do, and with our Buyer’s Guide, you can choose a costume that fits your cat’s personality and that he is more likely to wear.
Measuring Your Cat
One of the most important things you’ll need to do is measure your cat. This will give you an idea of what costumes will reasonably fit him so that you can buy one that fits the first time. The last thing you want to have to do is be in a time-crunch right before Halloween because you had to send the costume back.
When buying a costume for your cat, you’ll want to make sure that you measure the circumference of the neck and chest area. Most costumes are designed to be worn on your cat’s head and neck area and some may even have straps or fabric that cover the stomach area. You’ll need to make sure the costume you want to buy will fit your cat in these two areas, especially if your cat is larger than average or extra fluffy.
The best thing to use when measuring your cat is a measuring tape such as one that someone would use for sewing. Not only will it be easier to wrap around your cat, but it won’t scare your cat to use it around them. Measuring tapes that are found in toolboxes can work in a pinch, but they may scare your cat due to the sounds they make and the fact that they are made of metal.
When it comes to actually measuring your cat, you’ll want to wrap the measuring tape around his chest and back, just behind his front legs. Be sure to make a note of the measurement. Then, gently wrap the measuring tape around your cat’s neck and record the measurement again.
For costumes with a hat or headpiece, you may also wish to measure the circumference of your cat’s head. To do this, carefully wrap the measuring tape around your cat’s head. This is the best way to get the most accurate measurement. Be aware that your cat may not like this, so you may have to bribe him with treats.
Comfort vs. Style
Once you know your cat’s measurements, you’ll also want to look at the overall style of the costume as well as how comfortable the costume will be for your cat. Remember that cats’ personalities can differ, so even though the description of the product says that all cats will love it, it doesn’t mean they actually will.
For example, you may love a costume that comes with a cape and hat, but your cat may not. If your cat doesn’t like anything restrictive on or near his head, then you may not want to choose a costume that has a hat. Even if your cat will wear the cape, you may be wasting money if you buy a costume with a piece of clothing that your cat won’t wear.
It’s also important to remember that some costumes are more similar to clothing. You actually have to put them on your cat (for example, put his legs into the costume). Other costumes can just strap on with velcro, so they are a lot easier to put on. If you know your cat doesn’t like being held, it may be better to get a costume that you can put on without having to pick him up. This will help keep your cat comfortable and keep you from getting scratched.
Resistance From Your Cat
It’s important for you to be aware that your cat may resist the idea of a costume altogether, especially if you’ve never tried to dress him before. It may be easier to dress up a kitten for Halloween because they are still learning and don’t know anything different. Kittens are more likely to warm up to the idea than adult cats are.
Many adult cats, especially older ones, are very likely to resist wearing a costume. Remember that you shouldn’t force your cat to do anything he doesn’t want to do. This could lead to both you and your cat getting hurt if he does try to resist.
If your cat is hesitant about the idea of wearing a costume, what you can do is take it a step at a time. For example, there are plenty of festive collars that have elastic in them. They are bigger and more decorative than a traditional collar. They have elastic in them so that you can slip them over your cat’s head. He can be festive without being uncomfortable.
Periodically throughout the year, you can try putting other small pieces of a costume on your cat. If a particular costume has a cape and a hat, try putting the cape on your cat throughout the year to get him used to the idea. You can also give your cat a treat before you put the cape on so that he learns to associate something positive with the cape.
Once your cat gets used to the cape, add other pieces of the costume in, such as a hat. Again, it helps to give your cat treats before you put the hat on his head. Let your cat get used to wearing the entire costume. That way when Halloween comes, you’ll have no issues getting him to wear it.
Finally, it’s worth repeating that some cats will never warm up to the idea of wearing a costume. If you still want your cat to be festive, give him some Halloween toys or a regular collar with a Halloween print on it. There are ways to include your cat in Halloween festivities without making him feel uncomfortable.
Conclusion
If you’re lucky enough that your cat allows you to dress them up for Halloween, then we hope you found these reviews of the best costumes helpful. The best overall Halloween costume for cats is the OMG Adorables Lion Mane costume because it’s adorable, affordable, and easy to put on. For the best costume for the money, try the Puoyis Pet Cat Bat Wings. Not only are they cute and simple, but cats of all ages can wear them. No matter which costume you choose, we hope your cat enjoys it just as much as you do.
Featured Image Credit: danilobiancalana, Shutterstock
