Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Lifestyle

10 DIY Halloween Costumes for Cats You Can Create Today (with Pictures)

By Kristin Hitchcock
Share
cat wearing a pirate costume

When Halloween rolls around, you may be considering dressing up your feline. While there are countless commercial costumes available across the web and likely at your local pet store, making a DIY costume can make your cat stand out.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best DIY cat Halloween costumes out there. Some of these require a bit of skill to put together, though many are simple enough for practically anyone to make.

divider 1 paws

Our 10 Favorite DIY Halloween Costumes for Cats

1. "TY" Costume

If you're looking for something quick and affordable, you can't get much better than this costume. Most people are aware of the small TY-brand stuffed animals. This costume turns your pet into one of those stuffed animals by adding a TY tag to their collar.

This is also a great costume if your feline isn't going to be very happy about wearing a costume. You don't have to try and make your feline wear hats or clothes. Instead, you have to clip something to their collar! It's relatively easy.


2. Santa Outfit

While it isn't quite the holiday season yet, it is always right around the corner. If you can snag a Santa-themed onesie, then you can turn it into a cat costume. This is a straightforward costume that doesn't require much work on your part. Instead, all you have to do is cut the outfit up so that it can fit onto your cat. There isn't any sewing involved, and you don't have to do much measuring either.

The only possible hiccup is that you'll have to put it on your feline when you get done. For some cats, this is easier said than done. Of course, it depends on your cat's personality and mood. Some cats will not wear this, while others won't mind too much.


3. Candy Cane Outfit

You can make this outfit once, and your feline can wear it for Halloween and Christmas. It does require some sewing, and you'll either need to eyeball or measure your feline. There is a hat involved as well, so this may not be the most practical outfit for every cat out there.

Before giving this outfit a go, consider whether or not your feline would wear it. Some cats may be used to outfits and won't mind wearing this one. Others are going to fight and then refuse to move once they have it on. There is no need to create an outfit if your cat isn't going to wear it, to begin with.


4. Joker Hat

Most of our cats are pretty entertaining. A joker's hat may be an appropriate option for your feline. These hats are quite simple to make if you know how to sew. Even if you don't, the sewing is so simple that you should be able to figure it out.

Of course, this costume does involve a hat, which can be the bane of some cats’ existence. If your feline refuses to wear a hat, this probably isn't the outfit for you. However, if your cat doesn't mind, then this can be another quick and simple option.


5. Ladybug

This costume requires minimal DIY. All you need to find is a pair of ladybug wings that are designed for children. Then, you can adjust the wings to fit your cat. Typically, you'll need a section of string that goes around your cat's neck or attaches to the collar. Then, you'll need one that goes around your cat's chest. You can use the straps that come with the wings for this purpose, though they should be cut and adjusted to match your cat's dimensions.

Even if your cat doesn't like to wear clothes, they may be excellent with this outfit. It is relatively small and doesn't weigh much or restrict your cat's movements significantly.


6. Little Witch Hat

You can make your cat a witch hat quite easily. The best thing about this costume is that you can change the costume's details and color to suit the look you're going for. This DIYer chose a pastel pink color with some flowers for a cuter look, but you could also make a traditional black witch hat as well.

This costume does require a bit more work than the other options, but it is worth it if you're looking for an adorable witch's hat for your feline.


7. Avocato

This is probably one of the funnier options. If you like puns, then you'll love making an avocato costume for your cat. This costume only requires a little bit of work and absolutely no special skills. It is one of the more comfortable costumes to make on this list. It does look a bit ridiculous, but that is part of its charm.

For those that don't take their cat costumes very seriously, this is a reliable option. It is probably one of our favorites.


8. Bee Outfit

This outfit takes a few things from many different places and puts them together to make a pet costume. For instance, the wings are purchased from Amazon and then sewed on a cat-suitable shirt. The antennae are handmade using pipe cleaners and pom-poms. There is a lot of DIY work, but much of it is very simple.

You do need to know how to sew a little bit. But this is easy to learn as you go if you're willing to put in a bit more time. This isn't necessarily a low-cost option, as you will be buying a few things to put this number together.


9. Bat Kitty

This is one of the more straightforward options, as it just involves bat wings. The DIY work is easy, and it is relatively inexpensive. It is probably one of the cheaper options we've mentioned thus far. You don't need any special skills, though it may take a bit of time to get the fit exactly right.

The directions on this outfit aren't very straightforward, so you'll need to base your cat's outfit off of the picture. It's a pretty simple concept, though, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.


10. Viking

There are plenty of Viking hats you can purchase commercially. However, you can also make your own if you have the time and patience. You will need some excellent sewing skills, so we don't recommend this to those who don't know how to sew beforehand. You'll also need the right materials, which can be difficult and expensive to find.

If you've DIYed for a while, this is a great costume to make your own. You can change the color scheme and materials as you see fit with little effort.

See also:

divider 1 paws

Featured Image Credit: Benevolente82, Shutterstock

The Catster Newsletter

Expert cat care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Kristin Hitchcock
Authored by

Kristin Hitchcock

Leave a Reply

You're very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let's have a positive and constructive conversation.

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

When it comes to achieving high indoor air quality in a home with pets, the challenges are many. And getting the “best” purifier on the market may not actually…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·
Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

If there is one thing I regret about my automatic litter box, it’s that I didn’t get one sooner. For years, I dismissed this marvel of engineering as an overpr…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

If you have a cat (or cats!) in your life, then you know the value of play; there’s no better way to spend time with a loved one, both human and furry. I’m a l…

Mike Mearls
By Mike Mearls ·
The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

If there's one thing all cat owners can agree on, it's that cats can be, well, a little weird. But that's why we love them! As a cat parent, your acceptance of…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·

The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

Cats have a reputation for being independent, and in many ways they are. But anyone who has tried to work at a laptop with a cat on the keyboard, or woken up w…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk, a dedicated job board built specifically for the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom.…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

The Catster Magazine relaunch is officially underway with a fresh new look and an all-new digital experience. We're thrilled to reintroduce our Digital Magazin…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

* Use code CATSTER25 for 25% at oneisall.com. Valid through December 31, 2026 Earlier this year, I made some awesome upgrades to my dedicated cat room, includi…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

Cats spend an astonishing amount of time grooming. It is part hygiene routine, part comfort ritual, and part instinct that traces back generations. But all tha…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

Cats have a talent for turning the ordinary into something slightly bizarre. One minute, there’s a peaceful evening on the couch, and the next, a cat is chewin…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

Cats have a reputation for being aloof, which makes it all the more puzzling when they reach out and deliberately place a paw on your face. It's oddly intimate…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Certain things seem to go hand-in-hand with sharing your life with a cat, with hairballs, vomiting, and hair on EVERYTHING often seen as unavoidable side effec…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert cat care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on feline behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Catster site on a phone