Dog Owners Poised to Spend Nearly $1 Billion on Halloween Costumes
Pumpkins Lead the Pack in Popularity, National Retail Federation Survey Finds.
Dog parents are projected to spend close to $1 billion on Halloween costumes for their pets this year, according to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF's 2026 survey, which polled 7,889 consumers nationwide between September 1 and 9, revealed that pumpkin-themed costumes are the most popular choice for canine companions, capturing 11.6% of the vote. Hot dog costumes followed at 5.9%, with ghost costumes ranking third at 2.8%.
Other favored pet costumes include those of superheroes, witches, lions, spiders, dragons, clowns, devils, and sharks. In New York City, local costume shops report a high demand for unique and character-based outfits. At Abracadabra, a West 21st Street store, Krypto the Superdog is the top seller, with other popular requests including Mini Mouse, Superman, the Penguin, Snow White, and Scooby Doo.
Halloween Adventure Store on 4th Avenue is experiencing strong sales of dinosaur costumes for dogs, with "Pupasaurus Rex" being a particular hit. Sales associates also noted significant interest in Power Rangers and Chucky costumes.
While dog owners are enthusiastically embracing Halloween dress-up, the trend appears less prevalent among cat owners. Store employees noted that while some customers inquired about using small dog costumes for cats, cat owners generally seem less inclined to dress their pets.
The Paws on Parade event in Bryant Park on September 19 showcased a wide array of creative costumes for the approximately 150 participating dogs. Among the attendees were dogs dressed as princesses, rescue workers, flamenco dancers, and even a sushi platter.
Retailers like Pet Market NYC are stocking a diverse range of costumes, catering to various themes from pop culture figures like Elvis and Beetlejuice to mythical creatures such as unicorns and dinosaurs.