How to Dress Your Pet as Viral Hippo Moo Deng for Halloween And More Easy Pop Culture Costumes

Halloween is nearing, and it's time to start cementing costume ideas for the end of October.

It's hard enough to think of a look for yourself, but what is your pet supposed to wear? PEOPLE has a few ideas that are low-effort for pets and pet parents. From Taylor Swift to Moo Deng the viral pygmy hippo, these pop culture costume ideas are of the moment and require minimal materials.

Follow these suggestions, and you won't have to struggle with a 10-piece pet ensemble on Oct. 31, and trick-or-treaters won't struggle to get what your pet's costume is trying to reference.

Read on for eight easy pop culture Halloween costume ideas for your pet.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Moo Deng the Baby Pygmy Hippo

A Moo Deng costume is an outfit that is carried by attitude. Thankfully, most pets already come preloaded with the bouncy, sassy, and scream-filled personality that has made the viral baby pygmy hippo famous. Don't overthink the Moo Deng costume, change your pet's name tag to read Moo Deng for Halloween Day and you're all set. if your pet is staying home to greet trick-or-treaters, consider giving them a kiddie pool to frolicking in, like baby hippos love to do.

Pesto the Baby Penguin

Another zoo baby celebrity who's so big right now is the giant King Penguin chick Pesto. For a pet to dress as the record-breaking baby bird, it helps if they already have a fluffy brown coat like Pesto's. Then, you only need to get a King Penguin stuffed animal smaller than your pet and place it beside your cat or dog. Instantly, they transform into Pesto, who is slightly larger than his penguin mother.

Demi Moore's Dog Pilaf

For this costume, pet parents will need to do the heavy lifting since this outfit relies on the pet parent to literally carry their furry friend. Part of the beauty of the bond between Demi Moore and her pup Pilaf is that the actress takes the tiny pooch everywhere. To dress your dog or cat up as Pilaf, all you need to do is commit to hauling them around in a carrier or with your hands all Halloween.

A Paris Olympics Champion

Because an Emily in Paris costume would require too much tailoring, PEOPLE suggests helping your pet embrace their Parisian spirit this Halloween with a Paris Olympian costume. Get your cat or dog their own medal to wear around their necks and a toy baguette to gnaw on, and they will be costume party ready.

A Chef on The Bear

Pet parents are one little apron away from transforming their cats or dogs into a chef fit for The Bear. Complete the look by yelling, "Heard, Chef!" anytime your pet cries to be fed.

A Swiftie

Maybe you have Eras Tour merchandise to share with your pet; if not, you can transform your pet into a Swiftie by giving them a personalized friendship bracelet collar for Halloween.

Travie Kelce

Jerseys are always an easy cop-out costume for humans; let them jerseys be the same for your pet, too. Dress your furry friend as Travis Kelce by putting them in a Kansas City Cheifs jersey. Bonus points if your pet already has a mustache to complete the look.

The Last Gasps of Brat Summer

People spent the Summer of 2024 discussing "What is Brat?" Show that your pet is part of the conversation by giving them a Halloween bandana in the same shade of neon green that has become linked with Charli xcx's Brat album.