TL;DR
U.S. spending on pet Halloween costumes is projected to reach $920 million in 2026, up from $860 million in 2025, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Pet retailers and brands are responding with seasonal products, events and promotions, while surveys show many consumers plan to include pets in Halloween celebrations.
U.S. spending on pet Halloween costumes is projected to climb to $920 million in 2026, up from $860 million in 2025, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Halloween consumer survey. Retailers and pet brands are rolling out seasonal products and events as the survey points to a market for owners who want to include pets in Halloween celebrations. Consumer spending plans differ across the surveys cited.
The NRF estimate is based on a survey of 7,889 consumers conducted from Sept. 1 to 9, according to the federation’s survey summary. The NRF also projected $2 billion in spending on adult Halloween costumes and $1.5 billion on children’s costumes. Among activities respondents planned, handing out candy ranked first at 61%, followed by dressing in costume at 50%. Decorating homes or yards, carving pumpkins and watching scary movies were each cited by 42%.
In the NRF survey, pumpkins were the most popular pet costume, selected by 11.6% of respondents, followed by hot dogs at 5.9% and ghosts at 2.8%. Separately, dog daycare and boarding franchise Camp Bow Wow said its Google Trends analysis found hot dogs were the most-searched dog costume in the United States this year. Camp Bow Wow’s top 10 also included chicken, shark, spider, princess, ghost, dinosaur, pumpkin, dragon and lion.
Retailers and brands have announced events and seasonal merchandise. PetSmart’s event listings scheduled Tricks for Treats for Oct. 17 and 25 and a Meet the Spooky Pets event for Oct. 18, featuring animals including snakes and spiders. Rural King announced a free Pet-O-Ween costume contest for pets and livestock on Oct. 24 at participating stores. Seasonal launches include PetSmart Canada’s 2026 Thrills & Chills collection, Pets at Home’s UK range, and offerings from Aldi, Joyride Dogs, Paleo Ridge and Purina’s Beggin’ brand.
Seasonal Sales Reach Pet Owners
The NRF’s projected $920 million in pet costume spending points to a substantial seasonal retail opportunity. The announced range of products—from costumes and toys to treats and accessories—shows how businesses are seeking purchases beyond a single outfit. Retailers including PetSmart and Rural King have also announced in-store activities that can connect seasonal promotions with pet-owner communities.
For shoppers, the product launches offer Halloween-themed options for different animals and budgets. However, the NRF figure is a projection, not a record of final sales. It concerns pet costumes specifically and should not be read as total spending on all Halloween products for pets.
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How Surveys Measure Pet Interest
The NRF survey measures planned Halloween activities and projected costume spending. Other surveys cited measure different groups and questions. Meijer said its poll of 1,003 people in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, conducted Aug. 24 to 26, found that 33% of Midwestern respondents planned to dress up their pets. That regional result is not a national estimate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said its poll of 2,028 U.S. adults, conducted Aug. 21 to 26, found 86% planned to celebrate Halloween, compared with 78% in 2025. PwC projected average spending of $263 per celebrating consumer, down from $289 the previous year. Those totals cover Halloween spending generally, not pet purchases alone. PwC also reported that 25% planned to make costumes for themselves or pets, while 30% intended to buy ready-made costumes.
PwC’s survey also examined sources of shopping inspiration. Friends and family influenced plans for 45% of adults; social media influenced plans for 43% of Gen Z and 30% of millennials. PwC reported that some consumers use AI for costume ideas and other planning, and that some Gen Z AI users allow tools to automate or schedule purchases.
Sales Results Still Ahead
The NRF’s $920 million figure is a projection; the source material does not include final 2026 sales data or explain how actual purchases may compare with survey intentions. The NRF survey summary does not detail how its pet-costume spending estimate was calculated. Camp Bow Wow’s Google Trends rankings indicate online search interest, not purchases, while Meijer’s finding applies to six Midwestern states rather than the country as a whole.
PetSmart’s and Rural King’s announced event dates and the reported product launches describe seasonal plans. The source material does not provide attendance or sales results, or evidence of how much the promotions affect spending. It also remains unclear whether the projected rise in pet costume spending reflects more buyers, higher prices, or both.
Retail Events Run Through October
PetSmart’s event listings schedule promotions for Oct. 17, 18 and 25, and Rural King announced its Pet-O-Ween contest for Oct. 24 at participating stores. Retailers and brands have also announced seasonal ranges for shoppers ahead of Halloween, but the source material does not report campaign results.
Final sales figures would show whether the NRF’s projected costume spending translates into purchases after the holiday. Until then, the available indicators are survey-based spending forecasts, reported consumer plans and announced seasonal offerings.
Key Questions
How much are Americans projected to spend on pet Halloween costumes in 2026?
The National Retail Federation projects $920 million in U.S. pet costume spending for 2026, compared with $860 million in 2025, according to its Halloween consumer survey.
Which pet costumes are most popular?
In the NRF survey, pumpkins ranked first, followed by hot dogs and ghosts. Camp Bow Wow’s Google Trends analysis found hot dogs were the most-searched dog costume this year; search interest does not establish sales.
Are retailers holding Halloween events for pets?
Yes. PetSmart’s event listings include several October in-store events, and Rural King announced a free Pet-O-Ween costume contest at participating stores on Oct. 24.
Do the spending figures show how much pet Halloween products actually sold?
No. The $920 million figure is an NRF projection based on a survey. The source material does not include final 2026 sales data.
Source: rss
