Cheap and Easy Cat Costumes for Halloween

Dressing up your cat for Halloween, or anytime really, can be real fun. And it's even better when the cats don't mind if you do! But some of those pet costumes can be hard to come by, or just too expensive for that time. Especially if you thought about dressing up your feline friend at the last minute, and you are not able to go out and get a costume. This guide will help you dress up your cat with items that were just laying around the house anyway. Just a few minutes time per costume, and you have yourself a cat that's ready to trick or treat, or just look great.

COSTUMES:

Beauty Queen
Materials
- Any color ribbon
- Scissors
- Hair clips
- Safety pin

1. Cut a piece of ribbon, 1 inch wide. The length will need to make it all around your cat's belly, from shoulder to mid-belly. This will act as a sash.
2. Place the sash going up the back, around the shoulder, between his front paws, and down the belly. Then fasten the ends with a small safety pin.
3. Add some small hair clips to the back of your cat's head. Secure them so that they are not scratching his head, but won't fall off either.

Super Hero Kitty
Materials
- Scissors
- Old shirt or fabric
- Hole punch
- Ribbon or string

1. Cut a piece of fabric out of any old t-shirt, curtains, or anything. You'll want to cut it in almost a triangular shape. And make it long enough that it will go half way down your cat's back and wide enough to reach half way down his sides. But make sure it's not too long that he will trip over it while walking.
2. Hole punch a hole on either side of the top of the fabric.
3. Then tie a ribbon, yarn, string, or anything similar through the holes. Tied loosely for safety. And not tight enough to choke your cat, or become a hazard if caught on something.

Baby Kitty
Materials
- Pacifier
- String
- Baby or babydoll clothes (prefer with pocket)
- Bonnet (optional)
- Small rattle (optional)

1. Adjust the size of the baby / babydoll clothes to your cat, they should fit snug, but not too tight.
2. Tie a piece of short string to the pacifier, and attach this to suit. This should not hang down to where your cat can trip over it, play with it, or get wrapped around his feet. You could tie this loosely around your cat's neck, taking safety precautions. Making sure it's not too tight or a hazard of any kind.
3. Place the small rattle inside the pocket of the baby clothes. With half of the rattle sticking out, then secure the fabric with a safety pin to ensure the rattle will stay in place.
4. Place bonnet on his head. Again use safety precautions, making sure it's not a hazard.

Chippendale Kitty
Materials
- Bowtie
- Two pieces of white fabric
- Two safety pins
- Black magic marker

1. Cut two pieces of fabric (can be from old white shirt, curtains, sheets, anything). Making them 1 inch in width, and long enough to go around your cat's front paws, "ankle" area.
2. Secure these around your cat's front paws with small safety pins, not too tight. This is his shirt cuffs, (no need for a real shirt).
3. Make two dots, one on either side, with the magic marker. Just draw a filled in circle on the outer edge of the fabric, these will be the buttons on the cuffs.
4. Attach the bowtie to your cat, not too tight. Making sure it's easy to slip off if he gets caught on something.

Diva / Rockstar
Materials
- Sequin or bedazzled toddler shirt
- Hair clip
- Pony tail

1. Pick any toddler or small shirt that would classify as a "rocking" shirt. Or a sparkly shirt to be a diva.
2. If excess shirt is hanging off the cat, just pull it to the back and wrap the pony tail around it. This will keep your cat from tripping over the shirt. And if it's too small... get another shirt.
3. Place the hair clips on the back of your cat's head, securely but not too tight.

SAFETY AND CAUTIONARY NOTE:
- DO NOT put your cat into a position that could harm him in any way. Keep him from hazards of any kind.
- DO NOT use spray pain, glitter, or anything similar onto your cat's coat. Cats are known for keeping themselves clean. If there is anything on their fur, they will lick it off and this could cause them to get sick.
- DO NOT tie anything to your cat that could cut off circulation.
- DO NOT tie anything that could cause your cat to get stuck, or caught. Make sure that if anything is tied to him that it is easy to slip out of if caught on anything.
- WARNING: Try and avoid tying anything around his neck, use a harness if able. Anything else could be considered a choking hazard, which will need you to supervise him.
- WARNING: Using anything other than a SAFETY pin is dangerous for your cat. Example, if you use stick pins these could be ingested, or could poke your cat and get stuck. These are hazards.