Top 10 pet Halloween costumes in 2011

If your veterinary clients seem to be going overboard this Halloween, they aren’t alone. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $2.5 billion on Halloween costumes this year: $1 billion on children’s costumes, $1.2 billion on adult costumes, and a whopping $310 million on pet costumes. Plus an additional $72.31 per person on Halloween candy and décor bringing total spending to $6.86 billion—the most in the survey’s nine-year history.

The most popular pet costume—like last year—is a pumpkin (11 percent), with devil (8 percent) and hot dog (6 percent) following closely behind. Some pet owners also plan to dress up their dog like a cat (4 percent) or their cat like a dog (2 percent). Here’s the entire list of top 10 pet Halloween costumes:

1. Pumpkin

2. Devil

3. Hot dog

4. Bee

5. Cat

6. Witch

7. Bowties, fancy collars, bandanas

8. Pirate

9. Dog

10. Ghost

Click here to see pictures of dogs and cats all dressed up for Halloween.