About one quarter of pet owners say they plan to dress their pets up in a costume for Halloween in recent U.S. surveys, with some pet‑industry polls showing much higher enthusiasm among “pet parents.”

Core percentage answer

Recent consumer surveys from the National Retail Federation (NRF) report that roughly 23% of respondents intend to dress up their pets for Halloween. This figure has appeared consistently in reporting on Halloween spending as pet costumes have grown into a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar niche.

At the same time, a PetSmart survey described “more than 3 in 4 (76%)” pet parents dressing their pets for Halloween and other fall occasions, which reflects a more engaged, pet‑focused sample rather than the general population.

Quick Scoop

  • Around 23% of general‑population U.S. consumers say they plan to dress their pets for Halloween.
  • Pet‑focused surveys of “pet parents” show much higher rates, often above 70%, because they sample more devoted owners.
  • Pet Halloween costumes now represent hundreds of millions of dollars in spending each year, and that number has been trending upward.

So, if you’re looking for a single headline number to use, about one in four pet owners is a solid, broadly cited figure for those intending to dress their pet in a costume for Halloween.

Why the numbers differ

  • General retail surveys (like NRF) : These ask a broad slice of U.S. consumers about their Halloween plans; only a subset even owns pets, so the final percentage planning costumes lands around the low‑20s.
  • Pet‑brand surveys (like PetSmart) : These target active pet “parents” who are more likely to treat pets as family, decorate, and share on social media, which pushes reported costume rates into the 70%+ range.

A useful way to interpret this is: everyday pet ownership yields roughly 1 in 4 owners planning costumes, while among highly engaged pet enthusiasts it can be 3 in 4 or more.

Trend and context

Over the last several Halloweens, spending on pet costumes has climbed from around $700 million to projections near $860 million, showing that pet dress‑up is not just a cute side habit but a growing seasonal industry. Social media posts featuring costumed pets, plus the humanization of pets as full family members, are major drivers of this trend.

Many pet owners now buy multiple outfits per season, coordinate their own costumes with their pets, or even choose costumes specifically for photos and viral posts. That helps explain why intent to dress up pets keeps rising, especially among younger generations.

Mini FAQ

Is there a single “official” percentage?
Not exactly; different surveys use different methods, but 20–25% in broad consumer polls and 70%+ in pet‑enthusiast samples are the most commonly reported ranges.

What’s the best number to quote?
For a general audience in the U.S., say: “About 23% of pet owners plan to dress up their pet for Halloween, according to recent retail surveys.”

SEO meta description

Around 23% of pet owners plan to dress up their pet in a costume for Halloween, with pet‑parent surveys showing even higher enthusiasm, making pet costumes a fast‑growing seasonal trend.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.