Halloween costumes for pets are the cat’s pajamas

Trick or treat isn't just for humans; about $700 million will be spent on costumes for pets

The most popular Halloween costume? If you’re an adult, it’s a witch; if you’re a kid, Spiderman. That’s if you’re a…well, person. But if you’re an animal — specifically, somebody’s pet — the number one spot apparently trends to pumpkin pretenders. Area pets, with the exception of a few loudmouth parrots, were mostly mum on the subject. But according to a number of sources, some $700 million will go toward Halloween garb for American pets this year.

The horses at Northwestern Stables — at the corner of Germantown Pike and Northwestern Ave. within neighing distance of Bruno’s restaurant in neighboring Lafayette Hill — are old hands…uh, hooves at disguise. On Oct. 29, NWS will welcome visitors to its popular Halloween with the Horses benefit, and, as usual, the hijinks will revolve around the equines masquerading as any number of seasonal characters.

Who’s invited to the annual trick-or-treat soiree hosted by the Chestnut Hill non-profit?

“Calling all horse lovers,” NWS spokesmen say. “Our ‘haunted horses’ will be wearing Halloween costumes. Wear yours, too…”

The National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com) reports that American pet lovers are expected to spend some $710 million on costumes for animals. The most popular pet disguises? Pumpkins (9 percent), hot dogs (5 percent), bats (4 percent), bumblebees (3 percent) and witches (3 percent). Rounding out the top 10: lions, spiders, ghosts/ cats, superdog/supercats and devils/dogs.

Need other ideas? For, say, your dog. Numerous options are available via Rubies II (www.rubies.com). The costume giant offers outfits that will turn your favorite pooch into everything from fellow animals (cow, chicken, raccoon, dinosaur, tiger or lobster, anyone?) to Minnie Mouse and Oz-bound Dorothy look-alikes…even nuns and clergymen. Is Rover a bit hefty? No problem. Check out the site’s plus-sizes.

Between people and pets, NRF expects “record spending” for Halloween 2022.

“Participation in Halloween-related activities will resume to pre-pandemic levels, with 69 per cent of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday this year, up from 65 per cent in 2021 and comparable to 68 per cent in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics,” NRF reports. “With the spike in participation, total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $10.6 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.1 billion. “The top ways consumers plan to celebrate include handing out candy (67 percent), decorating their home or yard (51 percent), dressing up in costume (47 percent), carving a pumpkin (44 percent) and throwing or attending a Halloween party (28 percent).”

The top 10 kids’ costumes as predicted by NRF?

Spiderman, princess, witch, ghost, superhero/ Batman, pumpkin, zombie, vampire, pirate and Superman. For adults, witch, vampire, ghost, pirate, cat/Batman, zombie, Spiderman, Dracula, devil and princess.

Google’s “Fright Geist” includes nods to TV and movie characters from “Stranger Things,” “Hocus Pocus” and “Toy Story.” The full list is posted at www.frightgeist. withgoogle.com.

Regardless of demographic — pets, kids or adults — social media is a major influence when it comes to costume choice.

“Social media is playing an increasingly important role in consumer behavior, and Halloween is no different,” says Prosper Insights Executive V.P. of Strategy Phil Rist. “Younger consumers, particularly those under the age of 25, will look to platforms like Instagram and TikTok for costume inspiration this year.”

Additional details about NWS’s Halloween with the Horses as well as general information about the non-profit Northwestern Equestrian Facility is available at www. northwesternstables.com.