The Best Nightmare Before Christmas Dog Costumes: Reviewed by Us for You

Written by Hannah Ward
Updated: November 15, 2022
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Is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of your favorite movies? Do you want to pay homage to the movie by dressing your dog up as one of the characters? If so, Zero, the ghost dog is a great choice, but there are also dog costumes available for many of the other, popular characters from the movie.

If you’re out to find the best Nightmare Before Christmas dog costumes, you’ve come to the right place. Read through our reviews of the top costumes currently on the market, and we think you’ll find the perfect selection for your dog. Whether you’re planning on taking him trick-or-treating, to a doggie costume contest, or as your trusted companion to a fun costume party, your pup is sure to be among the best dressed with these picks!

  1. Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pet Costume

    •2 piece Zero costume for dogs

    •Easy wear

    •S-XL sizing

    Check Amazon
  2. Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Costume

    •Jack Skellington costume for dogs

    •2-piece costume

    •S-M or M-L sizes

    •Officially licensed costume

    Check Amazon
  3. Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Pet Costume

    •Sally costume for dogs

    •Full-body costume

    •S-XL sizing

    Check Amazon
  4. KZHAREEN Halloween Dog Bandana

    •Spooky bandana dog costume

    •100% cotton

    •M-XL sizing

    Check Amazon
  5. Buckle-Down Dog Collar Nightmare Before Christmas

    •Nightmare Before Christmas dog collar

    •Secure attachment

    •Ring for tags

    •Various sizes for S-L

    Check Amazon

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

#1 Best Overall: Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pet Costume

Our selection as the best overall is the officially licensed Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pet Costume.

We think this costume deserves the top spot because it looks just like Zero the ghost dog from the movie. This costume includes a ghost cape that goes over a dog’s neck and a separate Zero headpiece.

The design of this costume will make it quick and easy to get your pup ready for a costume party or trick-or-treating. Simply place the cape over the head to go around the neck and put the headpiece on; then they’ll be ready to go.

This costume is available in a range of sizes from small through to extra-large to fit most dogs. However, customers reported that the sizes run small so sizing up is advised. Additionally, some said that the headpiece did not stay on very well as it lacks anything to fasten it with.

Pros and Cons of Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pet Costume

ProsCons
This costume features a cape with a separate headpiece.The sizes run small.
It has a simple slide-on design so pups can be ready to go in minutes.The headpiece lacks anything to fasten it with so it doesn’t stay on very well.
Best Overall
Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pet Costume

•2 piece Zero costume for dogs

•Easy wear

•S-XL sizing

Check Amazon

2. Best Jack Skellington Costume: Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Costume

As a favorite character, it’s only right that we choose a Jack Skellington costume for dogs, and our selection in this category is Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Costume.

What’s great about this costume is that if you have more than one dog you can dress them as different characters from the movie and they’ll all look awesome!

This costume is designed to look just like Jack with a large bow tie, and a skull headpiece which are easy to attach by slipping them over the dog’s head. With its simple design, this costume is ideal for pets that don’t like to wear a full costume.

You can purchase this Jack costume in small, medium, large, and X-large sizes which are suitable for dogs weighing between six and 45 pounds.

Although we love this simple design, some customers have reported that the headpiece can fall off easily.

Pros and Cons of Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Costume

ProsCons
This costume features a large bow tie and a separate headpiece.The headpiece doesn’t stay in place.
This costume is ideal for pets that don’t like to wear a full costume.
It is available in four sizes to fit dogs weighing between six and 45 pounds.
Best Jack Skellington Costume
Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Costume

•Jack Skellington costume for dogs

•2-piece costume

•S-M or M-L sizes

•Officially licensed costume

Check Amazon

3. Best Sally Dog Costume: Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Pet Costume

If you have a female dog and are looking for a Sally costume then check out Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Pet Costume.

The costume will transform your dog and have them looking just like Sally in no time. From her colorful tattered clothing to her long, red hair and the stitching on her throat, everyone who sees your pup dressed up will instantly recognize who she is supposed to be. It is super easy to put on and fastens underneath the belly with a simple Velcro closure.

This costume is available in several sizes from small through to extra large, meaning that it fits most dogs. However, pup parents have once again reported that the sizes run small and that sizing up is needed.

Pros and Cons of Rubie’s Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Pet Costume

ProsCons
This costume has all of the important Sally features — including tattered clothing and red hair.The sizes run small.
It has a simple step-in design and fastens underneath the belly using Velcro.
There are a range of sizes available.
Best Sally Costume
Rubie's Disney: Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Pet Costume

•Sally costume for dogs

•Full-body costume

•S-XL sizing

Check Amazon

4. Best Bandana: KZHAREEN Halloween Dog Bandana

We think the KZHAREEN Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Dog Bandana makes the perfect costume for dogs, especially those opposed to restrictive clothing.

Bandanas are easy to tie around your dog’s neck and, because they are already used to their collar for the most part, they don’t even notice it! This bandana is non-restrictive and allows free movement of your dog. The Halloween bandana features multiple characters from A Nightmare Before Christmas movie all over it, making it spooky!

The material is 100% cotton, making it breathable, comfortable, and washable! You will be able to use this bandana time and time again. As for sizing, the bandana fits 32″, so perfect for medium to extra-large dogs — although this does mean that it might be unsuitable for smaller pets. Possibly the best part is that this costume is under $10!

Although there are undoubtedly a lot of plus-points to this costume, some customers have found that the material is not chew-proof.

Pros and Cons of the KZHAREEN Halloween Dog Bandana

ProsCons
This bandana is perfect for pets that don’t like wearing a full costume.The material is not chew-proof.
It is made from 100% cotton which makes is lightweight and breathable.It is not suitable for smaller pets.
Best Bandana Costume
KZHAREEN Halloween Dog Bandana

•Spooky bandana dog costume

•100% cotton

•M-XL sizing

Check Amazon

5. Best Collar Costume: Buckle-Down Nightmare Before Christmas Dog Collar

If you’re looking for a simple but effective costume for your dog, then the Buckle-Down Nightmare Before Christmas Dog Collar is our top choice.

Some pups just cannot stand the idea of a full-body or even partial costume — and that’s ok! We have the solution. This fun, Nightmare Before Christmas themed collar packs the perfect amount of Halloween spirit without making your dog uncomfortable. There is also a ring to clip their tags to when you’re out and about! The clasp is a seat belt lock which makes it extra secure. The clasp also has Jack Skellington, a popular character, on it.

The collar comes in small to large sizes that are adjustable with an option of 1″ or 1.5″ thickness. The polyester is semi-flexible and breathable. Whether you’re just a spook-lover or looking to show off your pup’s Halloween spirit, this collar is a great choice for the season!

Unfortunately, some users have mentioned that the design is quite small and difficult to make out.

Pros and Cons of the Buckle-Down Nightmare Before Christmas Dog Collar

ProsCons
This collar has a secure seat-belt lock clasp.The images are small and difficult to make out.
It has an additional ring for ID tags.
It is made from breathable polyester material.
This collar comes in a range of sizes as well as two thickness options.
Best Collar Costume
Buckle-Down Dog Collar Nightmare Before Christmas

•Nightmare Before Christmas dog collar

•Secure attachment

•Ring for tags

•Various sizes for S-L

Check Amazon

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

These days, dogs really have become human’s best friend — they go everywhere with us! We take them into stores, on planes, to the beach, and over to our friends’ houses. Halloween is no different, and is maybe an even more exciting time to own a dog, as you can dress them up with yourself for the occasion. With all of the options for pet costumes on the internet, it can be difficult to choose which one best suits your pet.

For our research purposes, we focus on practicality, comfort, appearance, affordability, and uniqueness. We make sure to find what we think are the best products out there by looking at specs and highlights, but also at reviews of those who have previously purchased and utilized the items. Our team takes into consideration different breeds, sizes, skin sensitivity, fur length, etc. in order to come up with a variety of viable options for you and your pet.

What to Look For When Choosing a Costume for a Dog

Keep the features detailed below in mind as you select the right Nightmare Before Christmas costume for your dog. Doing so will help ensure that you’re happy with the costume you select and so is your pup!

Character

Zero is a popular character from The Nightmare Before Christmas, but he is not the only character from the movie. If you’re looking to dress multiple pups up as characters from the movie, there are a few different costume options available. Some of the more popular characters include Jack, Sally, the Mayor of Halloween Town, Santa Claus, Doctor Finkelstein, Oogie Boogie, and Lock Shock.

Personality

Every dog is unique in their own ways, something we cannot stress enough. Not all costumes are made equal, unfortunately, meaning you will have to do a little extra digging for the perfect costume. Keeping your dog’s individuality in mind while you look is very important because it will ensure your pet’s wellbeing and happiness with your choice. If your dog isn’t happy to wear a full costume then consider something simpler — such as a headpiece or a bandana.

Materials and Durability

Look for costumes made using high-quality materials that will hold up well to wear and tear. You want to choose a costume that will last for many years to come, not one that will fall apart after being worn for a few hours or even a few minutes.

Soft and breathable materials should also be selected. Doing so will help ensure that the costume will feel comfortable for your dog to wear and will keep them from overheating.

Safety

Safety is an important consideration for anything that has to do with your dog. When deciding between different Zero dog costumes, look for options that don’t have smaller pieces that a dog could chew off. Dogs could choke on these smaller pieces, or they could swallow them and experience stomach issues.

Even when you exercise care in choosing a costume that appears to be safe for your pup, you will still want to watch your dog when they are dressed up. This can help avoid preventable tragedies.

Fit

Finally, don’t forget to look for a costume that is available in the right size for your dog. You should use a measuring tape to take measurements of your dog’s chest girth, neck girth, and back length before you start shopping. Also have their most current weight available. This data will be needed to compare with the measurement ranges in the sizing guides from each manufacturer.

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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 Nightmare Before Christmas Dog Costumes: Reviewed by Us for You FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Should I dress my dog up as a character from Nightmare Before Christmas?

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a great movie to get you into the Halloween spirit, so it only makes sense that choosing to dress your dog up as Zero the ghost dog, or one of the other characters in the movie would make a great Halloween costume.

How much do dog costumes cost?

The cost of a dog costume varies between manufacturers, the size and design of the costume, the quality of the materials used, and other factors. However, most dog costumes seem to cost between $10 and $25.

Where can you buy a dog costume?

The best place to buy a dog costume is through a trustworthy online retailer. This will allow you to shop from a larger selection of sizes and styles than you’d be able to find in a store.

Do dogs like getting dressed up?

Some dogs do seem to like getting dressed up in a costume. You can often tell that dogs enjoy costumes, or at least aren’t upset by them when they are willing to let you get them dressed in the costume and seem to act normal when wearing it.

The same is not true for all dogs, however. Some pups are afraid of costumes and may exhibit signs of stress or nervousness if you try to get them to dress up. If you think your dog is getting anxious because of wearing a costume, do them a favor and don’t force them to get dressed up.

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