FINDING THE PURR-FECT BALANCE: BEST CAT LITTER FOR VALUE
Follow cat care expert Kristen Levine as she weights the costs of cat litter, and determines World's Best Cat Litter is the smartest, most affordable choice for every household.
The Ultimate Guide to Cat Halloween Costumes: Funny, DIY & Matching Ideas
Deciding on a Halloween costume is a big decision. The even bigger one is deciding how to dress your cat for the occasion — if you’re into that sort of thing.
Table of Contents
Whether or not to dress your cat really comes down to two things – your personal preference and your cat’s comfort.
Some cats feel their best with a shirt on, and some would rather hang out with the neighborhood dog than don that bandana you bought for them. When in doubt, the first and easiest option for a Halloween outfit is to dress your cat au natural.
After all, what’s better than their built-in coat?
How do I know if my cat likes wearing a costume?”
Watch your cat’s body language closely as soon as you put the costume on. Signs of distress or discomfort include freezing up, flopping over on their side, trying to paw the outfit off, crouching low to the ground, or flattening their ears. If they walk normally, keep their tail up, and accept treats, they are comfortable. If they show any signs of stress, remove the costume immediately.
How to measure a cat for a Halloween outfit
Use a flexible fabric measuring tape to take three key measurements while your cat is standing naturally:
Neck Circumference: Measure around the widest part of their neck where a collar sits, keeping two fingers between the tape and their fur for comfort.
Chest/Girth: Measure around the widest part of their chest, right behind their front legs.
Back Length: Measure along their spine from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
Tip: Always prioritize the chest measurement when sizing costumes, and opt for one size up if your cat is between sizes or has thick fur.
If your cat is cool with costumes, we’re here to help you narrow down the options to find just the right one for your fur baby. Should you opt for something spooky, or something trendy and adorable?
Keep in mind: Make sure any costume you choose has room for your cat to move comfortably and doesn’t obstruct their whiskers.
We scoured the internet to compile a list of all the BEST cat costumes we found into different categories, so you can find just what you’re looking for! PLUS, we found human-sized costumes to go with, so you can match!
2026 Popular DIY Cat Halloween Costumes
The following ideas are meant as inspiration for your upcoming Halloween adventures with your cat. Not all costumes featured are readily available in stores, but with a little ingenuity and some imagination, they could become reality.
Dr. “zoom” & iron man
Suit up your feline sidekick in high-tech hero style with viral Marvel looks. From armored tech builds to a play on Dr. Doom, these super-powered costumes make for an epic matching duo.
@hiphopheavensupply MF DOOM CAT MASK #mfdoom #mfdoomtok ♬ original sound – MF DOOM
K-pop Demon hunters & Derpy tiger
Channel the chart-topping energy of K-pop icons with vibrant street-style cat gear. From neon streetwear harnesses to bright purple pop-star wigs, these idol-inspired looks guarantee your kitty steals the spotlight.
Gabby & Cakey
Step into the whimsical world of Gabby’s Dollhouse with this playful duo! Transform your cat into “Cakey” with a cute sweater, and pair it with a matching Gabby costume for yourself—complete with her signature pink hoodie, dark jeans, and magical cat ears.
BEST CAT COSTUMES BY CATEGORY
classic
Rodeo Kitty
This year, rodeo is all the rage and Halloween is the perfect time to get in on the trend. Harness the vibes of the wild west with this adorable cowboy cat costume! Goes great with those cowboy boots and hat you’re planning on wearing…
Catosaurus Rex
A long, long time ago, the Catosaur would have ruled the land just like they currently rule our homes. Not only is this costume adorable, but it would totally match one of those human-sized ones.
Kitty-Up
Let your cat act out their best rodeo bull impression in this harness costume, while an adorable cowboy mouse rides atop the saddle. Meanwhile you can rock this other rodeo look.
Caticorn
Let your cat be their most mythical, magical, EXTRA self in this rainbow unicorn costume. And you can be your most extra self in one too.
SPOOKY Looks:
Cat bat
Grab a pair of these cat wings to give your cat a spooky Halloween upgrade. One look at your cat in this costume is enough to make you shriek…and immediately want to cuddle them! Get down with your bat self in this matching look.
Witches
Let your cat make the most of the witching hours with a pointy hat adorned with spider legs, and an LED collar that’ll make for the perfect spooky glow. And you’re in luck, they make spider witch costumes for humans too.
Count Catula
This costume brings a whole new meaning to the cat collar. This dapper, reversible cape and bowtie can turn your cat into the most irresistible creature of the night. Great news — there’s also a spooky version for yourself.
Little Devil
Learn to embrace your cat’s mischievous side with this devilish look. Then, get this flaming red one to match!
Spider Cat
Spider cat, spider cat, does whatever a spider cat does. Can he climb up a wall? Yes, probably because he still has claws. And you can be a real spider-man or woman with this larger-than-life version.
FICTIONAL CHARACTERS:
Little Mermaid
Does your cat dream of swimming down with the fish? Get them this outfit fit for an underwater princess. The long red wig takes this look to another sea level. Up on the land, you can walk on two legs in this coordinated costume.
Little Red Riding hood
My what beautiful costumes these are. All the better to trick or treat in! With these fantasy looks, you can be the Big Bad Wolf to your cat’s Little Red Riding Hood.
FOOD FOCUSED:
Breakfast is served
We’re not exactly sure why you’d want to make your cat wear a felt frying pan for Halloween, but more power to you. We’ll be even more impressed if you wear this fork costume to match.
Turkey Cat
Gobble, gobble. Get in the Thanksgiving mood a little early with this knit Turkey hat for your cat. You can even do a “before and after” look with this inflatable, roast turkey outfit.
Taco Cat
We can’t even taco ‘bout how cute this costume is. (You’ll have to use your imagination.) It’s only right that you dress as hot sauce to match.
Avocado Toast
Help them look like a snack for Halloween with this deliciously adorable costume. It may be the best thing since sliced bread. Make it millennial with an Avocado costume for yourself.
Pizza Pie
We love cats. We love pizza. We might sound cheesy but these costumes are a little slice of heaven.
MASQUERADING AS OTHER ANIMALS:
Stegosaurus
Much like the other prehistoric dino costumes, these getups throw it way back to the land before time. You might go extinct from the cuteness.
Fuzzy Bunny
This plush pink jacket with giant fluffy ears is the perfect costume for a cat that needs a little extra comfort. It’s like a Halloween costume and a warm hug all in one. Don’t worry, we found a fluffy, pink one for you too.
Sharkbait
Just imagine your cat stalking through the house in this shark costume with the soundtrack to JAWS in the background. Talk about spooky. No fancy costume is necessary for this pairing, just throw on your favorite swimsuit (and a jacket for warmth) and you’re all set to take the bait.
Wizard of oz – Lion & Witch
Your cat can be the fiercest feline around with a lion’s mane costume for Halloween. You already know they’re king of the house. Dress as a witch and have a friend tag along as a wardrobe for a fun literary themed group look.
Peacock
As if your cat needed another way to grab attention, now they can glitter and shine and shake their tail feathers in this peacock costume. Take it up a notch with a fantastic costume to match.
DIY DISGUISES:
French Chef
Not interested in buying a costume? Create this chef look yourself with household items. Then make a rat costume for yourself. Voila! It’s Catatouille.
Witch Kitty
Get in the Halloween spirit with this colorful DIY tutu and witch hat for your cat! Then, check out these witch makeup, hair, and costume tutorials for yourself.
If you’re still not sure which costume is right for your cat, try considering their natural demeanor. Their unique purr-sonality should give you a clue which Halloween getup is just right for them. Remember to always put your cat’s comfort first, and when in doubt let them skip the outfit and go au natural.
Want to learn about black cat myths? You’re in for a treat. Need some tips on how to snap a great pic of your cat? We’ve got some good cat photo tips and tricks up our sleeves.
Crazy About Cats?
Sign up for our monthly email to get the inside scoop on deals, cat care tips, contests, and more!
Find Your Best Litter
RELATED POSTS
THE CURIOUS TALE OF CATS AND BOXES
The curious tales of cats and boxes — including five reasons for this cardboard love affair backed by science.
DEALING WITH THE TWO MOST COMMON DISEASES IN OLDER CATS
Cats are living longer than ever—an average of 15-18 years for indoor cats. This is great news for pet parents,…