Shih Tzu Halloween Costumes

& Halloween Fun and Safety Tips

Shih Tzu Halloween main image
Shih Tzu Halloween main image

Overview

In the U.S., Halloween always falls on October 31st. This super-fun holiday is also celebrated in other countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, Ireland, Canada and Australia and it's become very popular in Japan.

In America, the tradition of dressing up and asking for candy dates back to 1911 when it was referred to as 'guising'. It's always fun to celebrate holidays with your Shih Tzu, and this one is especially nice since many dogs enjoy the extra attention that they receive. 

Halloween typically means both costumes and candy; while you'll want to bypass giving candy to your Shih Tzu (aside from perhaps 1 or 2 of the few safe ones, as discussed ahead), you can definitely include him or her in the costume part!

This article covers: Tips for heading out on Halloween, a Halloween costume slideshow, tips for staying in, candies a Shih Tzu can and can't eat (plus great alternatives) and costume tips.

Please note: AllShihTzu is reader-supported. Some links below are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on products through these, at no extra cost to you.

Taking Your Shih Tzu Out on Halloween Night: Safety Tips

It's a good idea to plan ahead to make sure that the day/night is both fun and safe.

1) If you are heading out at dusk or later, bring a flashlight. 

2) Apply reflective tape to either their collar/harness or if they are in costume, to the fabric on either side of them. 
3) As always, we do recommend a harness as opposed to a collar, since this is the safest way to walk this brachycephaly breed dog, as to not impede breathing and to help to avoid potential neck injury. If your Shih Tzu will be wearing a costume while on leash, you can cut a small hole for the harness clip.
4) If you plan on doing a lot of walking and/or expect to be alongside crowds of children, you may want to consider having your Shih Tzu in a carry bag, sling or even a canine stroller. This is particularly relevant for puppies or dogs that would tend to feel overwhelmed in these situations. One sling we like is the Dog Sling Carrier by Wakytu that holds dogs up to 15 lbs., this has an adjustable strap, an inner safety buckle (that attaches to a dog's harness vest) and is made of a breathable material.

5) Since chocolate is toxic to canines, keep a close eye on your Shih Tzu. Simply trying to be friendly, a child who was not aware of this danger could quickly slip a candy to your dog. 

6) With their heightened senses, dogs can get just as spooked as humans (if not more) at scarecrows popping out, loud moaning noises, and/or crazy flashing lights. So, if you see a house that appears to be really going all out, you may want to skip that one. 

Note: Tips for staying in on Halloween night with your Shih Tzu are below the slideshow.

Halloween  Slideshow:

Tips for Staying in with Your Shih Tzu on Halloween

If you've decided to man the door on Halloween, here are some helpful tips:

1) You'll have to decide if your Shih Tzu would be happier staying with you to greet the trick or treaters or be away from the hustle and bustle of this task. And there is no right or wrong answer; some dogs get happy and excited at seeing and being able to say hello to all the children... but for others, it is just a bit too overwhelming.
2) If your Shih Tzu would prefer to be away from the commotion on Halloween, but you want to hand out candy, well before the doorbell rings for the first time, have them in their area (gated off area or canine playpen, or in another room) along with a human for company if possible. If they will be alone, offer a new toy if you can, for distraction purposes. See also: The Best Toys for Shih Tzu Dogs. 
3) If your Shih Tzu is bothered by the doorbell, you may find it best to be prepared well before Halloween trick or treating begins by having your door open (if you have both a screen and storm door) and standing at the ready or by setting up things outside on your front landing.

4) If your Shih Tzu will be your helper for doling out treats, you may find that a carry sling is helpful so that they can be at a level high enough to see all the action while you can keep your hands free to give out candy (see previous #4 safety tip). 

5) Don't feel guilty about calling it a night by shutting off your front light if your Shih Tzu reaches his tolerance level. 

Types of Halloween Candy a Shih Tzu Can and Cannot Eat

Toxic candies: Absolutely anything with chocolate is toxic to canines. Chocolate is toxic to dogs due to the theobromine in it. And toy breeds like the Shih Tzu do not need a lot. For example, both a KitKat bar (48.7 mg of theobromine) or a Mounds bar (53 mg) are considered dangerous levels for dogs. Additionally, anything made with the sugar substitute of Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Last but not least, any chocolate covered raisin candies are super poisonous, since both raisins and chocolate are dangerous for dogs to ingest.

Not technically toxic, but not a good idea: A dog would need to eat a huge amount of white chocolate to be poisoned since it is not made with any cocoa solids, but this can cause an upset stomach. Any large amounts of sugar can also cause issues, such as a 'sugar rush' which would cause a temporary phase of hyperactivity. Eating a lot of sugar can also cause a bad case of diarrhea.

Candies a Shih Tzu can eat: There are very few. However, if you want to give your Shih Tzu a candy on Halloween, you can give a jelly bean or two. In fact, this is one prevention method for motion sickness when traveling. 

Delicious candy alternatives: While it's good to know which candies a Shih Tzu can and can't eat, it's best to offer a snack that's formulated for canines. So, if you want to give your sweetie a treat on Halloween, consider a pumpkin goodie to help celebrate Halloween.

One option is Pumpkin Biscuit Treats by Crafted by Humans Loved by Dogs. These are made-in-the-USA, 100% all-natural, grain-free, human-grade treats with limited ingredients (perfect for Shih Tzu dogs with sensitive tummies) 

And if your Shih Tzu likes bold flavors, consider Bocce Bakery Pumpkin and Spice Treats Dog Treats. These are soft, chewy cookies made with pumpkin, peanut butter and cinnamon. They're also 100% all-natural, with limited ingredients. 

Shih Tzu Costume Tips

It's really fun to dress a dog up on Halloween, if they enjoy wearing clothes. But, you'll want to follow a couple tips:

1) Consider tolerance: Many dogs love to be dressed up because it leads to all sorts of attention, like smiles, extra pats, picture taking, etc. And a Shih Tzu may soak this all in, enjoying every moment. However, some dogs do not like to wear clothing or a costume. So, if your Shih Tzu never wore a costume before, test this out before you head out on Halloween or be ready to remove it quickly if they appear uncomfortable. 

2) Proper fit is important: If the costume hangs too loose a dog can trip over it and if it is too tight it can impede natural movement. Test this out before walking your Shih Tzu while in costume. 

3) Certain fabrics can cause some static to the coat, so before you slip it on, lightly spritz the coat with a quality leave-in spray. As always, a leave-in is recommended to protect from hot summer sun, dry winter air, contact friction, and to help prevent split ends. A spritz will also help keep a Shih Tzu smelling nice and clean. One of our favorites is The Stuff Conditioner & Detangler Coat Spray.

Cute Halloween Costumes for a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu dogs in bumblebee, frog and royal cape costumes
Shih Tzu dogs in bumblebee, frog and royal cape costumes

There's so many adorable options, but here are our top 3 picks for maximum cuteness:

#1: A Cute Bee Costume that's very fancy. It starts at size medium (that is actually like a small; for dogs about 7 lbs.) and it has Velcro for easy on and off and to customize the fit. 

#2: An absolutely Adorable Frog Costume. We love this one because it's a soft hoodie sweatshirt that looks like a friendly frog (there's also a carrot, apple and banana), so this is a great choice for a very comfortable option. This starts at size extra-small, making it ideal for both puppies and adults.

#3: A regal Royal Cloak Costume Cape, worthy of this regal breed. This cape is very majestic and since it drapes over a dog's shoulders, it's super-easy to put on and off. It starts at size extra-small and goes up from there.

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