Halloween Content Ideas for Your Pup's Instagram

Sweet Life of Calvin Halloween Costume Ideas for Dogs and Instagram Content wearing a scary clown costume with a scary carnival backdrop — 📸 @mary_haber_pets

Hey there, dog parents! By now, your Instagram feed is probably haunted by Halloween-inspired posts—costumes, spooky parties, and eerie backdrops galore! But I know how overwhelming it can be—thinking of what your pup should wear, planning how to decorate, and capturing it all for your feed. Trust me, I’ve been there! With years of experience from countless Howl-O-Ween parties and, of course, having an obsessed dog mom, I’m here to share my top Halloween content ideas to spook and delight your Instagram followers this season. So take notes and follow my lead!

Halloween Dog Costumes Ideas

Let’s be real—a pup in a costume is an instant double-tap magnet. You know it, I know it. There’s something about a pup in costume that makes everyone stop scrolling and say, “Awwww, so cute!”

Now, before you get all stressed thinking you need to create the most extravagant costume ever, let me tell you—simple can be just as effective! Whether it’s a store-bought Dracula cape or a DIY superhero suit, it doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, I recommend investing in classic costumes like a Dracula cape or superhero outfit that can be reused every year. These timeless pieces always stay in style and are super versatile. Want more inspo? Check out this article.

📸 @petshotstudios

If your pup is more on the “I’m not moving in this thing” side of the costume spectrum, don’t worry. Some pups just aren’t about that costume life, but you can always opt for a Halloween-themed bandana or harness. My favorite? Bat wings! Not only do they give off the spooky vibe, but they’re also comfy enough for your pup to wear while strutting around the park or chilling at home.

Content Tips:

Tell a story with your post! Sure, your pup will look adorable in any costume, but it’s the caption or storytelling in your reel that will really hook your audience. Get creative with it!
For the ultimate “awww” factor, coordinate costumes with your pup—or go all out with matching costumes for a group of pup friends! Imagine the likes pouring in.

Drool-worthy Halloween Treats for Dogs

What’s Halloween without the treats, right? And if you follow me on Instagram @sweetlifeofcalvin, you know I’m ALL about the treats—so much so that I might even get a little treat-wasted every now and then.

If your pup has a sensitive tummy, finding Halloween-themed treats might be tricky, but there are plenty of options for pups with stronger stomachs, like me. Local pet stores and barkeries usually offer some spooky cookies this time of year—so make sure to check them out. In LA, we have no shortage of drool-worthy seasonal goodies from small businesses that are perfect for spoiling your pup.

Feeling like getting crafty? Try making your own Halloween treats at home!

Here’s a fun recipe from Honest Kitchen that I love. Get 20% off your first purchase when you use code: TREATSSWEETLIFEOFCALVIN.

Content Tips:

Get those spooky vibes going by putting your pup in a Halloween bandana or costume and staging a treat-tasting session. A carousel of photos with your pup’s different expressions or a reel of them chowing down is guaranteed to charm your followers.
Taste Test with Dogula
Make a barkuterie board with Halloween-themed treats! Show your followers the ultimate treat haul for the season. If your pup loves taste tests, you could turn it into a fun video where they try each treat and rate it.
If you’re making homemade treats, share the process! Create a step-by-step recipe video and follow up with a taste test for your pup. Your followers will appreciate the behind-the-scenes look—and who doesn’t love seeing a pup enjoy treats?

Halloween Inspired Home Decor

Okay, costumes and treats are fun, but let’s not forget about decorating for Halloween! While we don’t go all out with home decor, adding small spooky elements here and there really sets the mood for photos and videos. Sometimes, it’s just a tiny pumpkin next to me or a witch’s book propped up on my crate, but these little touches go a long way in creating those Halloween vibes.

Ideas for Halloween Decor:

Haunted Pup House: Turn a corner of your home, your pup’s bed or crate into a mini haunted house. A few cobwebs, skeletons, and bats which you can find at any dollar store or local arts and crafts store will do the trick!
Pumpkin Patch at Home: Can’t make it to a real pumpkin patch? No problem! Pile some pumpkins and fall leaves in your living room or backyard and voilà—instant autumn vibes. Pro tip: Fake pumpkins work just as well and you can use them year after year.
Spooky Yard: If you’ve got a yard, go all out with tombstones, ghosts, and skeletons. If not, find a lawn or doorstep on your next walk with a spooky setup and snap some pics with your pup! Just make sure your pup doesn’t mark the Halloween decorations. Or worse, attack the fake crows like what I did.

Content Tips:

Set up a mini home photoshoot! While nighttime shots seem fun and super spooky, make sure your pup is well-lit so they stay the focal point of the photo. You can always add spooky lighting in the background later.
Coordinate your pup’s costume with the decor. If you’ve got skeleton decorations, why not dress your dog in a skeleton onesie to match the theme? Your feed will look cohesive and super festive.

Dog-Friendly Halloween Events in Your Area

For pups who love the spotlight (like me), dog-friendly Halloween events are a must! Whether it’s a Howl-O-Ween party or a pup parade, Halloween is the perfect time to show off your costumes and get all the attention.

Sweet Life of Calvin Los Angeles Petfluencer and Content creator posing for a halloween photoshoot dressed as an alien with his out of this world cuteness — Joyride Harness at Pawsitive Mgmt's Pup-O-Ween

In LA, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to pet-friendly events. From parties at local pet stores to pumpkin patch meetups, there’s always something going on. I know it can be hard to keep track of all the events, so here’s how to stay updated:

Follow local pet-friendly event pages and accounts for your area—they often post the latest happenings. My friends at @losangeles.pups have a complete list of pup-friendly events and breed meetups in SoCal and Pawsitive Mgmt hosts my favorite events in LA. A few months ago, they hosted Pawlympics at the historic LA Coliseum.
If you’ve RSVPed for an event before, follow those businesses on Eventbrite to get notifications about future events.
Join local Facebook groups or chat groups that focus on dog-friendly activities—members often share event details you might not find elsewhere. For my SoCal friends, check out SoCal Dog Events on Facebook.

📍 Healthy Spot Spooktacular Event

Content Tips:

Create a vlog-style video of your Halloween day out with your pup! Capture everything, from their reaction to spooky decor to interactions with other dogs. The more candid, the better!
If your page is more fashion-focused, consider a “What Pups Wore at Halloween” post, showcasing all the creative costumes you see at the event. Your followers will love it, and it’ll inspire them for next year’s Howl-O-Ween!