Dog Halloween Costume // Cupcake

This DIY dog Halloween costume is the absolute cutest! Turn your pup into a pupcake with this easy-to-make cupcake costume for dogs.

Why are dog Halloween costumes so cute?! I’ve never made a pet costume before, so I thought it would be fun to tackle this year.

We’ve been hanging out lots with my aunt’s dog lately, whose name is Vanilla. So naturally, we decided to turn her into a cute little canine cupcake. Duh.

Before you dive in, check out our other fun costume tutorials!

• LEGO Costume DIY for Halloween
• Star Wars Costumes for Halloween // Luke, Leia, Han, and Baby R2D2
• Where’s Waldo Costume for a Family Halloween
• Family Peter Pan Costume for Halloween
• Make a Baby Astronaut Costume for Halloween

Dog Halloween Costume Considerations

When I was sketching out the costume, I wanted to make sure we checked off a few things. It needed to be light, because Vanilla is a tiny dog. I also wanted to make it very comfortable, so that she wouldn’t mind wearing it. And finally, I wanted to make sure that it would stay upright and not flip over.

Any time you’re putting clothing or a costume on a pet, make sure that there are no parts that could get tangled in paws, tails, or around the neck. And also check that all pieces are secure so that your pet can’t chew them off and choke on them!

Make a cupcake Halloween costume for a Dog

Materials

• 7″ round paper mache box
• various colors of felt
• polyfill
• natural color scrapbook paper
• 3/4″ elastic
• scissors
• needle
• thread
• glue gun

Make Time: 1 Hour

1. Set aside the lid to your round box and save for another project. Using the lower portion of the box, measure it on your pup and mark the width of its back. Cut away two arched portions so that it will nestle onto your dog’s back.
2. On either side, cut two slits into the box wide enough to insert the elastic.
3. Hot glue a bright color of felt around the edge of the round box (you’ll need two sheets). Use a thin line of hot glue to secure the two pieces of felt together.
4. Stuff some polyfill down into the felt to help the cupcake keep its shape. Using a needle and thread, sew a gathering stitch to gather large sections of the felt together to form the top of the cupcake. (Make it as tall or short as you like.) Tie off the thread and trim all of the excess felt away from the top.
5. Cut your paper into rectangles that are 3.5″ tall. Fold the paper accordion style and secure it around the sides of the box with hot glue. On the sections of the box that have cut out arches, cut an arch in the paper that will correspond. Be sure to leave the paper unglued at the slits you made to insert the elastic.
6. Cut out wavy sections of a complementary color of felt to make the cupcake icing. Working from the bottom of the cupcake toward the top, swirl them around and secure every inch or two with hot glue. The spiral of felt should end at the top center.
7. Cut out tiny bits of felt for sprinkles and glue them on the top.
8. Finally, insert a length of elastic into one of the slits you made earlier. Fold it over onto itself and sew in place. Stretch the elastic across and insert into the opposite hole, leaving a bit of slack so that it’s not too tight on your pup. Sew the other end in place as well. Repeat with the other piece of elastic.

Help Your Pet Wear the Costume Safely

Now get your dog dressed up to go trick-or-treating! (Or, let’s be real, just for some really cute pictures.) As you’re putting on the dog Halloween costume, make sure that the front and back legs are comfortably snuggled outside the elastic bands.

It’s also smart to check the underside of the costume to make sure that it’s not too tight around your pup’s belly.

Have fun! Be sure to send photos if you recreate this one. xoxo

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