Besides the candy, one of the best parts about Halloween for many dog owners is dressing their dogs in costumes. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, about 29 million people worldwide dress their pets for Halloween. Whether costumes are bought in stores or home-made, they make some people smile.

Although dressing up a dog in a Halloween costume is supposed to be fun, sometimes planning the perfect costume can be stressful. If you are struggling to find a costume for your dog, here is some advice to ease the stress.

When choosing your dog’s costume, make sure to remember that your dog’s safety should be your top priority. Even if you already know your dog’s size, to make sure the costume will not be too tight, measure your dog. Sizes for different costume brands may vary. Once you have your dog’s measurements, check the fabrics to ensure it will not make your dog itchy. After you have taken these necessary precautions, you are ready to move on to the fun stuff.

If you are planning on buying your dog’s costume, there are many stores to supply your needs. Stores such as Target and Walmart have a wide range of costumes starting at $6 for all dogs. If you think your dog would enjoy being a pretzel dog, skeleton, princess, or many other different ideas, Target and Walmart are stores you should consider checking out.

Not all costumes need to be bought. If going to Target or Walmart is not an option, there are hundreds of creative dog costumes that can be made at home within a couple of hours or less. A very popular idea is dressing your dog up as a cowboy. All you need is a mini hat, which can be made out of paper or fabric, and a bandana to put the costume together. You can find most of these items at home.

Some costumes can even be made in only a couple of minutes! If you do not have time to stop at the store or spend hours on making a costume, a cute and money-friendly way to dress up your dog is by transforming him or her into a Ty Beanie Baby. You can print out the Ty Beanie Baby tag or even make one yourself with paper and a marker. This is a great idea to keep in mind, especially if your dog is not a fan of wearing clothing.

Dressing up your dog is a great way to include him or her in Halloween traditions. Just always remember that not all dogs enjoy costumes, so make sure your dog is comfortable in the costume. Whether you decide to dress your dog or not, have a safe and happy Howl-o-ween.