Best Selling Halloween Costumes for Pets 2015

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

Have you figured out what you’re going to be for Halloween this year? What about your pets?

Americans will spend close to $6.9 billion on Halloween costumes this year, or $74.34 per person in 2015, according to the National Retail Federation.

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“Those celebrating will spend the most on adult costumes ($1.2 billion), and will spend a total of $950 million on children’s costumes and $350 million on fashionable and fun costumes for their furry friends. It’s estimated that 68 million Americans will dress up this Halloween and another 20 million pet owners will dress up their pet,” the NRF said on their website.

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Patch visited PetSmart with our own four-legged companion, Sadie, a 2-year-old Black Lab mix, to try on costumes and find out which of their costumes are top sellers this year.

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Superheroes, pumpkins and bumblebees are all the rage this year, Store Manager Walter Randall said, but the best selling style yet is what he calls “Pop Riders.”

“You put it on your dog, it can be a princess or cat, or even a horse rider. It makes it look like the little man is on top of your dog riding it like a horse.”

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PetSmart has everything from popular movie characters, including Princess Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen, to superheroes like Batman, Spiderman and Wonder Woman.

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Also lining their shelves are some hilariously humiliating pet costumes. Randall thinks the hot dog and hamburger costumes top the most embarrassing list.

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To help get everyone in the Halloween spirit, PetSmart is holding a Halloween pet party this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be free treats as your pets visits different trick or treat stations.

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PetSmart is also holding a Monster Cute Photo Contest. There are several categories including cutest, scariest and most trending. The grand prize is a $1,000 American Express gift card. Enter online, or just look at the adorable dogs, cats and at least one hamster who are already entered. Judging by the photos, some pets are a tad bit unhappy with wearing costumes.

Happy Halloween!

Photo: Wendy Mitchell