The Best Panda Costumes for Dogs

Written by Hannah Ward
Updated: November 16, 2022
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What’s black, white, and cute all over? A panda, of course! If you’re searching for the best costume for your dog, a panda may be at the top of your list. Why not dress your pet up as a gentle giant this Halloween season?

If you’ve already done a quick search online, then you’ve probably realized that there is an overwhelming amount of panda costumes for pups on the market. Choosing the right one can feel a bit overwhelming, especially with access to all of the choices on the internet. Never fear, we’re here to help and have reviewed some of the best dog panda costumes so you can decide which one offers exactly what you’re looking for!

  1. Pandaloon Panda Puppy Dog Pet Costume

    •Full-length panda costume for dogs

    •Step-in, easy wear

    •Various sizes & adjustable

    Check Amazon
  2. Rubie's Walking Panda Pet Costume

    •Panda bear costume for dogs

    •Frontal view

    •Bamboo detailing

    •S-XL sizing (see size chart)

    Check Amazon
  3. Zoo Snoods Panda Dog Costume

    •Panda bear ear warmer for dogs

    •Acrylic yarn - warm, hygienic

    •S-L sizes (check size chart)


    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for the Best Panda Dog Costumes: Ranked for 2022

#1 Best Overall: Pandaloon Panda Puppy Dog Pet Costume

The Pandaloon Panda Puppy Dog Pet Costume takes first place in our books because it transforms your dog into an actual panda, like the ones you watch on the panda cams!

This costume is a step-in, frontal outfit with a panda head hoodie. Padded panda arms are attached to the front of the costume to make it appear that your pup is a panda standing upright in front of you.

This costume is made using a very plush material that is soft on the skin. The feet are reinforced for durability and the hood is adjustable to deliver a good fit for your dog’s face. The costume even comes with a little felt bamboo shoot for added effect. If you are looking for a costume that transforms the front half of your pup into a real panda, this is the one!

This costume comes in five sizes: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to fit most dogs between 11 and 23 inches tall. It is important to measure your dog’s height before purchasing the costume, as it is jumpsuit-style, not a sweater. Finding the right size is crucial when looking for a costume for your pet, as you don’t want them to be uncomfortable wearing it.

Although this costume has lots going for it, some pup parents have reported that the hood doesn’t stay up very well if their pets shake their head or are running around.

Pros and Cons of the Pandaloon Panda Puppy Dog Pet Costume

ProsCons
This costume has a simple step-in design.The hood doesn’t stay up very well.
Padded panda arms are attached to the front of the costume for an authentic appearance.
The feet are reinforced for durability.
The hood is adjustable for a good fit.
It is made from soft material for added comfort.
It is available in several sizes to fit dogs between 11 and 23 inches tall.
Best Panda Costume
Pandaloon Panda Puppy Dog Pet Costume

•Full-length panda costume for dogs

•Step-in, easy wear

•Various sizes & adjustable

Check Amazon

2. Runner-Up: Rubie’s Walking Panda Pet Costume

Rubie’s Walking Panda Pet Costume is our runner-up for the best costume but is not far behind Pandaloon’s.

This costume features an adorable panda design with a similar frontal fit as though there is a miniature panda bear standing right in front of you. Rubie’s walking panda costume is especially adorable with its green bamboo shoot and green, gingham patterns on the ears and neck bow. It even has a cute little hood with attached panda ears.

The perk of this costume is that the costume does not cover your dog’s legs, just simply goes in front of them to look as though they are panda legs. This is ideal if you have a pet that doesn’t like material covering their legs.

This costume is made from polyester, so it should be comfortable for most pets unless your dog has a specific sensitivity to polyester or a skin irritation in general.

Small, medium, large, and extra-large size options are available for this panda costume. The sizing chart from Rubie’s can help you select the correct size based on your dog’s neck, chest, and back measurements.

However, owners have found that the hood doesn’t stay up very well when the dog is on the move. Additionally, they found that the sizes run small compared to the size guide.

Pros and Cons of Rubie’s Walking Panda Pet Costume

ProsCons
This costume is made from soft polyester material.The sizes run small.
The material hangs in front of the front legs rather than covering them. This is ideal for pets that don’t like material covering their legs.The hood doesn’t stay up when the dog is on the move.
It has an integrated hood with attached panda ears.
There are four size options available to fit most dogs.
Runner-Up
Rubie's Walking Panda Pet Costume

•Panda bear costume for dogs

•Frontal view

•Bamboo detailing

•S-XL sizing (see size chart)

Check Amazon

3. Best Ear Warmer: Zoo Snoods Panda Dog Costume

Our favorite alternative to a full-blown costume for your dog is the Zoo Snoods Panda Dog Costume.

This handmade ear and neck warmer goes around your pup’s neck and head to keep them warm. It is white, like a panda’s head, with black and white bear ears.

A “snood” is traditionally a headpiece made of knit fabric that encircles a woman’s head. This idea has been tweaked to fit over doggy ears to keep them protected and warm. This snood provides not only these benefits, but the option of use as a costume as well!

This costume is made of acrylic yarn, stated to be non-irritating, easy to use, and hygienic. The head warmer keeps your dog’s ears cold but also keeps dirt, bugs, water, and other debris out of them in adverse weather or climates.

You can purchase this ear and neck warmer in small, medium, and large sizes. To find the right fit for your pup, measure the widest part of his head in front of the ears. The small should fit dogs with a head measurement between eight and 13 inches, the medium should fit dogs with a measurement between 12 and 18 inches, and the large should fit canines with a measurement between 18 and 26 inches. However, some users found that the sizes can run a little small. Additionally, some reported that it doesn’t stay in place very well and can slide backwards on active pups.

Pros and Cons of the Zoo Snoods Panda Dog Costume

ProsCons
This is a great alternative to a full costume.The sizes run small.
This snood covers dogs ears and keeps them warm and free from dirt and bugs.It can slide backwards on active dogs.
It is handmade from acrylic yarn which is non-irritating and hygienic.
There are three sizes available to fit dogs with a head circumference of eight to 26 inches.
Best Ear Warmer
Zoo Snoods Panda Dog Costume

•Panda bear ear warmer for dogs

•Acrylic yarn - warm, hygienic

•S-L sizes (check size chart)


Check Amazon

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

As animal lovers and dog owners, our team strives to find the best for your pets (and our own!). When researching products for your pets, such as costumes, we keep our own in mind so that the choices are genuine. This helps us narrow down our searches not only by appearance of products, but by practicality, comfort, inclusiveness, and originality.

However, in making your decision, there is one important key factor that we cannot account for but that you can — personality! You know your dog better than anyone else. Since your dog can’t choose their own costume, it is up to you to take into account what they like and what they dislike.

For example, if your dog gets anxious when wearing clothes, don’t choose an option that covers their full body and legs. Opt for a bandana or a headband instead. If your dog is an avid chewer, it might be best to also choose a simple costume versus one with all of the fancy parts.

While the overall aesthetic and idea of a costume might seem perfect, the most important thing to consider is if your pet will be comfortable and happy, whether it’s going to a costume contest or bringing your dog alone as your sidekick to a Halloween party.

What to Look For when Choosing a Panda Costume

We put this short buying guide together to help you select the best panda costume for your pooch. There are a number of panda costumes available, but every costume is different. Not all costumes include all kinds of dogs, but we have narrowed the options down to different ones that can fit a variety of pups. Comparing the options that are available will help you in making the best selection.

Fit

Choose a costume that is the correct size for your pup. Since sizes can vary drastically between manufacturers, you can’t simply purchase a size large just because your dog wore a large costume last year. You’ll need to take measurements of your dog’s neck and chest circumference, length, and weight and compare this information against the sizing guides offered by each costume maker.

Another feature that can contribute to a good fit is adjustability. When possible, choose costumes that feature Velcro straps and other similar design components that will help you get more of a custom fit for your pup.

Materials and Comfort

Don’t overlook materials as you’re searching for the best costume for your pooch. Canines can overheat much more easily than we can, so be sure to choose costumes that are breathable. If you live in a warmer climate, you should also avoid purchasing any costumes that are overly bulky or thick, since these will make it more likely that your dog will overheat.

Personality

As mentioned before, taking your dog’s unique personality into account when dressing them up for Halloween is of utmost importance. We have come up with options to help you narrow your search, but it is up to you to understand your dog’s likes and dislikes and also to know their behavior. Taking this into mind when choosing will help you and your pet have a Happy Halloween!

Safety

Whenever you’re buying anything for your dog, you should always be thinking about their safety. Overall, costumes should be safe for pups as long as owners are supervising their dogs when they are dressed up. Still, you should try not to purchase any costumes that have small components that could get lodged in a dog’s throat if they were to chew on them.

Related to safety is your canine’s mental health. If your dog doesn’t enjoy getting dressed up and wearing clothes, you may want to opt for a thinner costume or simply no costume at all. Making your pup anxious just to get a few pictures and comments from others isn’t worth the toll it can take on his or her mental health and overall happiness.

Bulkiness

Since pandas are such large animals, many dog panda costumes are bulkier than other costume types. This helps make a canine look like a more realistic panda. However, if your dog isn’t used to wearing a costume, they may not be comfortable in something that is too bulky. Also, depending on where you plan on taking your dog while they are dressed up, a bulkier costume may not be the best choice. Keep this in mind when you are shopping, and decide whether it would be best to choose a less bulky costume.

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About the Author

Hannah is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on reptiles, marine life, mammals, and geography. Hannah has been writing and researching animals for four years alongside running her family farm. A resident of the UK, Hannah loves riding horses and creating short stories.

The Best Panda Costumes for Dogs FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What size panda costume do I need for my dog?

The right size costume for your pup will vary based on his weight and size. Each costume maker has its own sizing system, so it is always advisable to consult with the sizing guide they offer. You should take measurements of your dog’s neck girth, chest girth, and length before you begin to look for a panda costume for him or her. You can compare these measurements against the range on the chart to choose the best fitting costume for your pup.

Is a panda a good costume for my dog?

Yes, pandas are very cute animals. Your dog will look like a cute teddy bear. If pandas are one of your favorite animals, there is no reason your pooch shouldn’t dress up as a panda for Halloween or another special event.

How can you tell if your dog is afraid of wearing costumes?

Dogs who are afraid of costumes may bark, run away, or shake when the costume is brought near them. If a dog doesn’t like wearing a costume, his or her behavior may be off when dressed up. If your dog doesn’t exhibit any of these behaviors, comes to you happily when you try to dress them up, and seems to act normally when wearing the costume, then they are probably not bothered by it.

Is it safe to dress a dog up in a costume?

Costumes can pose a few potential threats to a dog’s safety if proper caution is not exercised. Any smaller pieces on a costume that could be broken off or chewed off by a dog could potentially get stuck in a dog’s throat and cause them to choke. If these pieces are swallowed by the dog, they could lead to stomach issues.

Costumes, especially bulkier ones, may make it more likely for a dog to get stuck on furniture, bushes, or other items inside or outside of a house. This could threaten a dog’s safety and could result in injury.

However, if you are careful to choose a costume made using high-quality materials and always watch over your dog when he or she is dressed up, you can avoid many of these potential dangers.

One other possible threat that costumes pose is causing a dog to overheat. Dogs are not used to wearing heavy clothes like us, and costumes that are too thick could make them get too warm, especially in warmer outdoor temperatures. If you live in an area with a warmer climate, opt for lightweight and breathable costumes for your pup to keep him or her cooler.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.