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| © AleksandarNakic / Getty Images The estimate is nearly double what pet owners spent on Halloween costumes in 2010. |
More than 29 million Americans plan to create or buy more than just
one Halloween costume this year. In addition to choosing an outfit for
themselves, they also plan to dress their furry friends in spooky and thrilling frocks. According to the National Retail Federation,
pet owners will shell out $490 million on Halloween costumes for their
dogs, cats, and other fur babies this year. The rise in holiday-related
spending is in line with budgets for other Halloween festivities;
Americans are expected to spend over $9 billion on costumes for kids
and adults, decorations, candy, and other festivities in 2019.
The most popular Halloween pet costumes are also hilariously ironic. Most people choose to create one more Jack-o'-Lantern in the house by dressing up their pets as a pumpkin.
But a punny "hot dog" look is the second most popular costume overall,
closely followed by bumblebee, superheroes, and cat costumes (which
we're sure puppies just love!).
Most cat owners would agree it's tough to even get your kitty close enough to snuggle with, let alone dress up in a costume—which is why it makes sense that most of the National Retail Federation's data is based on canines. According to a separate survey conducted by pet services provider Rover.com, half of dog owners around the nation will either shop for or create unique costumes for their pups this year. They're expected to spend $20 on average; and per Rover's survey, classic options like witches and ghosts are among the most popular options, as well as a few stars from popular TV series.
Halloween
costume costs aren't the only rising budgets for pet owners in the
United States. Americans spent more than $72 billion for veterinary
care, medications, supplies, and food in 2018, according to the American Pets Products Association. "Today more than ever, pet owners view their pets as irreplaceable members of their families and lives,"
Bob Vetere, the association's CEO and president, said in a press
release. "It's clear that giving pets the best lives possible is still a
top priority for pet owners, and they're willing to spend more on the
quality products and services they consume if it means more quality time
with their beloved companions."
