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Halloween is one of the most festive times of the year for pet owners, with costumes, treats, and themed photoshoots adding to the fun. But while dressing up our pets can be delightful, it can also come with hidden costs and risks. A recent national survey of 1,000 pet parents, paired with Google Trends search data, revealed the most popular pet Halloween costumes of 2025 and shed light on how many families have faced unexpected health scares or financial surprises during the holiday.
Dressing pets up for Halloween continues to be a growing trend across the U.S. Every year, Google search data reveals which outfits capture the most attention.
Searches for "dog costume for Halloween" were up 154% in the past month, while "cat costume for Halloween" rose by 64%. This surge highlights just how excited pet parents are to celebrate the holiday with their furry companions.
For dogs, costumes inspired by pop culture topped the list. The Grinch claimed the number one spot, followed closely by Ewok and ghost costumes. Other popular choices included dragon, lion, and Scooby-Doo looks, showing just how creative pet parents can be.
Cat owners, on the other hand, most often favored pumpkin costumes. Lion and Mario getups rounded out the top three most popular choices. Classic Halloween themes like bat, witch, and vampire also ranked among the top picks for this year's cat costumes.
The joy of seeing a pet dressed up often comes with a price tag. Survey results revealed just how much people are willing to spend.
More than half of pet parents (53%) purchased costumes for their pets. Of those, 1 in 5 spent over $50 for a single Halloween outfit. On average, owners spent about $30 on costumes and accessories. Generationally, millennials led the way, with 57% buying Halloween attire for their pets, followed by Gen Z at 55% and baby boomers/Gen X at 46%. Nearly 1 in 3 overall (32%) admitted they spent more on their pet's outfit than their own.
But not every purchase turned out to be worth it. About 1 in 5 pet owners (22%) regretted buying a costume, while nearly half (46%) said they had purchased last-minute outfits that didn't fit or weren't worn. More than 1 in 4 admitted they bought a costume just for an Instagram or social media post (27%), a trend especially common among Gen Z (31%) and millennials (29%).
Not all costumes survived the night: 43% of pet owners reported their pets had destroyed or damaged their outfits, adding another layer of frustration and wasted expense. Breed also played a role in how much people spent and how often pets got dressed up for Halloween.
While Halloween is all about fun, the survey uncovered serious risks that pet parents have faced during the celebrations. Drawing attention to these issues can help others to be more prepared for this spooky season.
One-quarter of pet owners said their pet accidentally ate chocolate or candy during the holiday.1 As a result, 1 in 20 needed emergency veterinary care afterward.2 Those vet visits averaged $150, with nearly half of pet parents (49%) reporting that the bill exceeded $200.
Overall, 31% of dog owners and 22% of cat owners admitted their pets had gotten into Halloween candy at some point.3 Certain dog breeds proved more likely to sneak sweets. Labrador Retrievers topped the list, followed by German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, and Golden Retrievers.
Many families reported taking extra precautions to prevent accidents and ensure pet safety on Halloween.4 More than half (54%) kept pets away from the front door during trick-or-treating to avoid escapes or stress, while 46% said they kept candy securely locked away
Another 32% avoided costumes or accessories that might pose choking hazards, and 29% purchased pet-safe treats. Roughly one-third also chose to keep their pets indoors during trick-or-treat hours, offering another layer of protection.
Halloween can be a joyful time to celebrate with your pets, but it's important to stay mindful of their safety and comfort. From costume choices to surprising vet bills, this season can quickly shift from fun to stressful if precautions aren't taken.
Pet parents can enjoy the festivities by choosing outfits that fit well and don't restrict movement. They should also keep human treats and seasonal decorations out of reach, and secure pets elsewhere when the front door is open. With a little planning, Halloween can be fun for both you and your furry companion.
This survey, conducted by Fractl on behalf of MetLife on September 10, 2025, gathered responses from 1,000 cat and dog owners to identify America's favorite pet Halloween costumes and uncover the hidden health risks and financial surprises that come with the holiday. Respondents had an average age of 40; 55% identified as female, 43% as male, and 2% as nonbinary. Generationally, 36% were baby boomers or Gen X, 47% were millennials, and 18% were Gen Z.
In addition to the survey, we analyzed Google search volume data from September 2024 to September 2025 to find the most searched pet costumes across the U.S. Our research reviewed over 1,980 pet costume-related search terms across all 50 states. To ensure accuracy, we included only keywords with consistent search activity throughout the year.
MetLife Pet Insurance provides comprehensive insurance solutions for pets, offering pet owners financial security and peace of mind when it comes to veterinary care. Depending on your level of coverage and the plans you choose, we can cover everything from routine checkups to emergency services. Help your pets get the care they need and worry less about the costs.
Feel free to share the insights from this article for noncommercial purposes only. Please include a link back to MetLife Pet Insurance with proper attribution if you do.
