People love their pets, and they love putting pets in embarrassing costumes. Halloween 2016 is going to be like the pet-costume Olympics: We’re not sure why we do it, but wow is it ever a joy to witness.
According to a September study by the National Retail Federation, 16 percent of people plan to force their pets into a Halloween costume that they’ll immediately shake off. Of those pet owners, nearly 87 percent already know exactly what their pet will be this year.
These are the most popular costumes for their furry friends:
1. Pumpkin
A classic for human babies and furbabies, pumpkins are the top pick for pet costumes. Bonus points if you find a way to dress your dog up as a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
2. Hot Dog
Get it? Dogs? Hot dogs? Okay, if you’ve got a hot dog costume waiting for your pet, please consider being more original this year. Try a chili cheese dog, or a vegan hot dog, or a corn dog. Save your dog the embarrassment of being a foodstuff AND an uninspired one at that.
3. Bumble Bee
Did you know bees are dying globally at an alarming rate?
4. Tie: Lion and Star Wars Character
Lions are popular for cats, surely, but also pretty darn funny on a dog. Dogs aren’t lions! That’s crazy. As for your Jedi doggos: This year, we’d better see some Rey and Finn pets out there. Yoda is so 1980.
5. Devil
This one’s for the pet that’s not a good boy. Just kidding, they’re all good boys.
6. Batman Character
The number one pick for millennials this year is also the number six choice of pets. Dress ‘em up in Harley Quinn and Joker outfits and laugh about how abusive relationships are glorified in media, it’s cute!  Â
7. Witch
Cats and witches are bffs, but are dogs and witches as tight? Probably not. Dogs wag their tails too much, causing cauldron hazards. More research is needed.
8. Superman
Who needs Lassie when your dog or cat is from Krypton?
9. Action/Superhero
A catch-all for your less popular but more creative pet costumes. If you’re wanting to show off your nerd cred, dress ‘em as X-23 from Wolverine.
10. Cat
Cats as cats? So meta. Dogs as cats? Irony. Cats as street style? Just accurate.
Bonus: Jaded celebrity
Who’s that girl? She could only dodge the paparazzi for so long before this snapshot was taken, exclusive to The Fresh Toast.
