Most of us have dressed our canine friend up for a special occasion at least once. Dog costumes come in all sizes and shapes these days and are made for every size dog that exists.
Most dog owners have occasion at some point to select a costume for their dog that is based on the theme of the party that they are hosting or possibly they are buying a Halloween costume for the family dog to wear when trick or treaters come to the door.
Many people also buy sweaters and jackets for their canine friends for use in cold weather or to help breeds with slick hair coats to stay warm. If you have always wanted to get your dog a sweater or need to upgrade their current sweater collection, check out our list of the 8 Cutest Dog Sweaters.
Your dog will thank you for the extra layer or clothing when its cold out and you will have fun with the designs and color choices. For pets that live in places with very cold winters, a sweater or jacket can make it possible for them to exercise in comfort.
One of the latest pet costume crazes are lion manes for dogs. If you have a pet and an Instagram, you have likely already seen this cute new costume trend in action. Lion manes are showing up everywhere and on every breed of dog.
This is one the most fun and most whimsical costume ideas of all and is a very easy costume to pop onto your dog for a party, a photo opportunity or just for fun.
While some breeds are more suited for the lion mane look, many companies produce manes that are adjusted for various colors of dog as well as the needs of different dog breeds based on size.
If you have wondered if this fun costume idea is a good fit for you and your canine buddy, we have compiled a list of our favorites and will discuss the pros and cons of this costume style.
Everything You Need to Know about Lion Mane for Dogs:
1. Choosing a product:
Essentially, a lion mane for a dog is a wig that you are fitting over your pet’s head and neck. When you are selecting a lion mane for your dog, make sure that the company states that it can be easily cleaned.
You do not want to buy a one-use lion mane that cannot be cleaned up if your canine friend accidentally gets it dirty.
You will also want to make sure that the hair of the mane is made from a quality product so that it will not cause itchiness or irritation to your dog’s skin. Most manes are made of polyester fibers that are the same as the ones used to make Halloween wigs for people.
2. Knowing Your Dog
Always remember that not every pet enjoys having clothes or wigs put on it. If your pet does not adjust to the costume relatively quickly, or seems panicky and upset about wearing it, please be kind to your canine friend and remove the costume.
Just because humans think something it cute does not always mean that your dog will be happy wearing the item that is considered cute.
If your dog seems to be willing to at least learn to wear the lion mane, employ a reward system to get them over their initial concern. Put the mane on all the way or only part of the way if that is all that your dog will allow.
Take the mane off and reward with a treat. Praise your pet verbally and offer scratches and pets as an additional reward. Slowly work up to wearing the mane for longer durations of time using the same system.
Your pet should grow more and more comfortable with the lion mane using this system and be willing to wear it.
3. Cute Alternatives to Lion Manes
An additional note you should consider when buying a lion mane for your dog is that it will partially cover their ears and will cover their neck. Some animals will not be happy with having this much fabric slipped over their head or they might not like the weight of the mane on their neck.
If this is the case, there are other options for you and your canine friend to enjoy together. If you want to try something that is not as large as a lion mane on your dog, check out our list of cute hats for your dog to wear to the party.
Another cute and fun costume idea for a dog that will not wear anything over its ears and neck are bandanas. Dog bandanas are made for every occasion, to support sports teams or to promote sayings. You can even have a custom bandana made for your pet!
Is it for Halloween or a Party?
If you are taking your dog trick or treating with you, remember that they cannot eat chocolate under any circumstances and that they should never eat any kind of candy.
Keep plastic bags away from your dog so they do not ingest them. Make sure that they are not frightened of people coming up to interact with them as well. You might find that your dog is friendly when it feels safe at home but is a risk for aggressive behavior when it is interacting with lots of children in costume away from home.
If your dog is going to be mingling with guests at a house party, make sure that they do not consume alcohol or any foods that are unsafe for dogs during the party.
Some party guests do not know that dogs cannot drink alcohol or eat all types of people food. If you are concerned about this risk, you can relocate your dog to a part of the house away from the party after they have met the guests at the door, or you can simply make sure that there are no foods or drinks available at the party that can harm your pet.
Additionally, your dog may not indicate that he is stressed by noise of commotion, but many dogs find it much more pleasant to go to a quiet room and sleep while the party is going on.
Now that we have talked about some of the things to consider when you are planning to include your canine friend in your Halloween or costume party plans, we can move on to a review of the products that are going to best suit your needs.
If you know for sure that your dog will wear a lion mane without complaint or you are eager to buy one to try it out, here is our list of the best lion manes for your dog.
Best Lion Manes for Your Dog
TOMSENN Dog Lion Mane:
This is the right lion mane for a large or medium-sized dog. It is one of the best-fitting and most realistic manes on the market.
It is easily cleaned and is made from quality polyester hair fibers that look and feel like the real thing.
The attached lion ears look great and the fit around your dog’s head is very good. The mane is made for dogs with neck sizes 60 cm to 80 cm.
If you are planning a Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz costume or you are wanting to deck your dog out in one of the best lion manes for your dog that is available, this is the one to buy.
LuLu Home Dog Costume: Adjustable and Realistic Lion Mane
This is a great lion mane for many sizes of dog.
If you can’t find a lion mane for your dog that is the right size or the fit is just not working out despite your dog being within the listed sizes for the lion manes you have tried, this lion mane is for you!
This lion mane for dogs adjusts with an elastic band around the face area that makes for a more secure fit.
This lion mane for dogs is the perfect choice if you have a breed with a narrower head shape such as a German Shepherd.
This is one of the smoothest and softest manes on the market and will not annoy your dog by becoming hot or itchy. The kit also includes a matching tuft of hair for your dog’s tail to complete the look!
This is a great value for the price and it will make sure that your dog looks like the King of the Jungle!
LCFUN Lion Mane Costume for Puppy:
This cute little mane is the perfect fit for the puppy that needs to come trick or treating with your family! It attaches with Velcro closures and is made from artificial fur that is soft and realistic.
This mane will not annoy your puppy by becoming hot or itchy during wear.
Fits neck circumferences from 7-10 inches.
If you are planning to take your puppy along at Halloween but are worried that it will get tired walking so much, be sure to check out our list of the top 8 dog strollers.
No need to carry your puppy all night!
An additional benefit to adding a dog stroller to your plans is that your puppy will be much less likely to eat things that might be bad for it such as candy that has been dropped on the ground by children trick or treating.
Vivifying Lion Mane Costume:
If your dog is not golden in color or if you are wanting to dress them up with Scar from the Lion King in mind, you will want to grab this lion mane for your dog.
It comes in black with tan ears and is adjustable for a better fit.
The mane adjusts via elastic drawstrings and can fit neck girths from 13.7 into 27.5 in.
This is a lion mane that can be washed to clean it and it is made from soft faux fur that will not annoy your dog.
Fits medium to large dogs really well and is a great way to stand out from the crowd.
Strangefly 2 Pcs Lion Mane Set:
Do you have a small dog and a big dog to dress up like lions?
This great set will suit the needs of both sizes of dog!
The small lion mane for dogs fits neck circumferences from 7 to 10 inches. The large lion made fits dogs with neck circumferences of 23.6 inches to 31.5 inches.
The insides of the manes are made from breathable cotton which makes these the perfect choice for pets living in hot climates.
If you have a set of dogs who need to dress up as lions for Halloween or for a family photoshoot, this is the perfect choice for your needs!
Onmygogo Lion Mane Wig for Dogs:
This is the perfect lion mane for dogs who need a mane that is more brown in color to match their coat.
This great lion mane is the right color for black and tan coat patterns or a chocolate lab.
This is a mane for a medium or large dog and is made specifically for breeds like German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Labrador, Boxer, Hound breeds or Golder Retrievers.
It is a very lightweight mane and is made from top quality plush that will not irritate your pet’s skin. Washes well and can be worn again and again.
SUNREEK Dog Lion Mane:
This is a great lion mane for dogs who need a mane in a less traditional color.
If you have a black dog, a grey dog or a white dog, you can buy this lion mane and it will match their natural coat color perfectly.
It also comes in tan and orange colors if you have a Golden Retriever or a lab that needs a lion mane for a special occasion.
Fits neck sizes 60cm to 80 cm and is made of a quality fur and polyester blend for maximum comfort.
The mane is adjustable with a drawstring cord so it will not slip or slide.
The only downside to this lion mane for dogs is that it does not come with sewn-on lion ears.
If you have a dog who will not look right in a tan lion mane, this is the right choice for you!
Conclusion
Lion manes for dogs are one of the most fun and fanciful costumes that you can choose for your pet.
They are easy to get on and off and they are not likely to annoy your dog like a costume that covers their whole body.
If you make sure to buy a lion mane that will not get hot or itchy, your dog will happily wear the lion mane you have picked out.
Always remember to consider the materials that the mane is made with if you live in a hot climate or are planning to have your pet wear their lion mane during the summer.
Make sure to introduce the lion mane with patience to make sure that your pet is comfortable and happy wearing it.
Buy one of the quality lion manes for your dog on our list and enjoy your purchase again and again for parties, Halloween costume or just as a fun excuse to take some pictures of your pet!
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