Thanksgiving Dog Bandanas and Outfits: 20 Cute Ideas for Photos

By Dog Gear Hub Editorial Team · Updated 3 November 2026

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Not veterinary advice. This article shares general information about dog gear only. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Check fit and supervise your dog with new gear, toys and chews, and ask your vet about health, diet, injuries or behaviour concerns.

A bandana is the easiest way to dress a dog for Thanksgiving. It takes seconds to put on, most dogs barely notice it, and it turns an ordinary photo into a holiday card. If your dog tolerates a little more, a sweater or a simple hat can complete the look.

Below are 20 Thanksgiving dog bandana and outfit ideas, grouped by style, followed by how to measure and fit a bandana, a no-sew DIY version you can make tonight, the safety basics and a few tips for getting a photo where everyone, including the dog, is looking at the camera.

We haven't tried specific products. The ideas below are styles you can find from many sellers; links go to Amazon searches so you can compare current options and check each listing's sizing chart.

Bandana styles: which kind to choose

Before picking a design, decide how the bandana attaches. It makes a bigger difference to comfort than the print.

• Tie-on triangle. A classic triangle of fabric you tie behind the neck. Flexible sizing, but the knot can loosen or be tied too tight.
• Snap or Velcro closure. Fastens with snaps or hook-and-loop. Quick to put on and take off, and easy to adjust.
• Over-the-collar (slide-on). Has a channel along the top edge that your dog's collar slides through. It can't be tied too tight, and it stays centered. This is often the most comfortable option for dogs who wear a flat collar.
• Reversible. Two prints in one, such as fall plaid on one side and a Christmas print on the other, so it lasts through the season.

20 Thanksgiving dog bandana and outfit ideas

Classic fall bandanas

1. Buffalo plaid in orange and black, or red and black. The most "fall" print there is, and it looks good on dogs of every color. Search fall plaid dog bandana.
2. Rust or mustard solid flannel. Simple, warm-toned and photogenic against autumn leaves.
3. Falling leaves print. Maple and oak leaves in orange, red and gold.
4. Pumpkin patch print. Small pumpkins on cream or navy fabric works for Halloween through Thanksgiving.
5. Gingham in burnt orange. A softer alternative to plaid for small dogs.

Thanksgiving slogan bandanas

1. "Thankful" or "Grateful" lettering. Search thankful dog bandana.
2. "Here for the turkey" or a similar food joke for dogs who spend the day watching the kitchen.
3. "Pie inspector" or "official taste tester" for photos next to the dessert table (from a safe distance).
4. Personalized name bandana with your dog's name and a small turkey or leaf. Many sellers offer embroidery.
5. First Thanksgiving bandana for a new puppy or a recently adopted dog.

Turkey looks

1. Turkey feather bandana printed with tail feathers.
2. Turkey hat that sits on the head with a soft elastic chin strap, for dogs that don't mind headwear. Search dog turkey hat.
3. Turkey costume that fastens around the body. Keep it on for just a few minutes of photos.

Outfits beyond the bandana

1. Fall plaid flannel shirt for dogs, a fun match for an owner's flannel.
2. Cable-knit sweater in cream, rust or forest green for cold Thanksgiving walks.
3. Bow tie that slides onto the collar for a dressier dinner look.
4. Matching owner and dog set, such as a bandana and a scarf or shirt in the same print.

DIY and low-key ideas

1. No-sew bandana cut from a fall fabric square (instructions below).
2. Upcycled shirt bandana made from an old flannel shirt.
3. Fabric leaf or felt pumpkin collar charm stitched securely to a collar slide, for dogs who won't wear fabric around the neck.

If you're already thinking about the next holiday, our matching dog and owner Christmas sweaters guide picks up where Thanksgiving leaves off.

How to measure your dog for a bandana

The American Kennel Club recommends measuring neck girth around the base of the neck where the collar sits, with your dog standing, and using the "two-finger rule": you should be able to slide two fingers between the tape (or the finished item) and your dog. It also suggests choosing the larger size if your dog is between sizes, and checking each brand's sizing chart because sizing varies.

• For tie-on bandanas, you need the neck measurement plus enough fabric to tie a knot.
• For over-the-collar bandanas, check the channel width against your dog's collar width, not just the neck size.
• For sweaters and shirts, the AKC says you'll need back length, chest girth and neck girth. Chest girth is usually the most important measurement for clothing.

If you'd like help with coats as the weather turns, our winter dog coat buying guide explains sizing in more detail.

How to make a no-sew Thanksgiving bandana

You need a square of fabric that doesn't fray much (flannel, fleece or tightly woven cotton), sharp scissors and a measuring tape. Fabric glue or iron-on hem tape is optional for neater edges.

1. Work out the size. A triangle bandana is a square folded corner to corner, so the long folded edge (the diagonal of the square) has to reach around your dog's neck with enough left over to tie. Add roughly 8 to 12 inches to your dog's neck measurement for the knot. To find the side length of the square, divide that total by 1.4.

*Example:* a neck of 14 inches plus 10 inches for tying is 24 inches. 24 ÷ 1.4 ≈ 17, so cut a 17-inch square.

2. Cut the square. Use the fabric's straight grain so the bandana hangs evenly.

3. Finish the edges (optional). Fold each edge under about half an inch and secure it with fabric glue or iron-on hem tape, following the product's instructions. Fleece doesn't need finishing.

4. Fold it into a triangle with the print facing out.

5. Tie it on with a square knot at the back of the neck and check the two-finger rule. Trim any long tails.

Over-the-collar version (simple sewing): cut a triangle with a straight top edge a few inches longer than half your dog's neck. Fold the top edge over by a little more than your collar's width and stitch along the bottom of the fold to create a channel. Slide the collar through.

Safety tips for dog bandanas and outfits

Dressing up should be fun for your dog as well as for you. Several of these tips follow the ASPCA's advice on pet costumes.

• Supervise while your dog is dressed up. The ASPCA advises never leaving a costumed pet unattended. Take bandanas and outfits off when you're not watching, so nothing can snag on a crate, furniture or another dog's teeth.
• Check the fit. Use the two-finger rule for anything around the neck. The ASPCA says an outfit shouldn't restrict movement or hearing, or get in the way of breathing or barking, and that ill-fitting outfits can catch on things and cause injury.
• Avoid small, chewable add-ons such as bells, pom-poms, buttons and sequins if your dog chews. The ASPCA warns that small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces can be a choking hazard.
• Keep it short for costumes. Put hats and full costumes on for a quick photo, then take them off.
• Watch for stress. The ASPCA suggests removing an outfit if your pet seems distressed. If your dog freezes, tucks its tail, keeps trying to remove the item or won't move, take it off. Not every dog enjoys clothes.
• Watch for heat. A sweater indoors in a warm, crowded house may make a dog uncomfortable. Remove it once you're back inside.
• Check the skin. If you see redness, rubbing or hair loss where an outfit sits, stop using it and ask your vet, especially if your dog has sensitive skin or allergies.
• Keep ID visible. A bandana shouldn't cover your dog's tags. With guests coming and going, ID matters more than usual.
• Wash new fabric first, and choose washable fabrics so food spills come out easily.

If your dog wears a harness on walks, put the bandana on over the collar rather than trying to fit it under harness straps, where it can bunch and rub. Our guide on how to choose a dog harness covers fit points to check.

Treats are the easiest way to get a good photo, but keep them dog-safe: our list of Thanksgiving foods dogs can and can't eat explains what's fine in small plain portions, and our guide to whether dogs can eat turkey covers skin and bones.

Tips for a great Thanksgiving dog photo

• Shoot before the meal. Dogs are calmer, and nothing on the table is tempting yet.
• Use natural light near a window or outside in late afternoon.
• Get down to their eye level. Photos taken from above make dogs look small and distant.
• Hold a treat or toy just above the camera to get them looking at the lens. Use tiny pieces of a treat they already eat.
• Add simple props: a small pumpkin, a pile of leaves or a plaid blanket.
• Use burst mode and take lots of shots. One will work.
• Keep it short and reward often. Five minutes is plenty.

Keep holiday food out of reach during the photo session. The AKC notes that many Thanksgiving foods are only safe for dogs plain and in small portions, and some, such as turkey bones and stuffing, should be avoided. If you're planning a treat, check with your vet first.

A quick brush before the photo helps too; our guide to dog grooming tools at home has the basics.

Read next: Matching Dog and Owner Christmas Sweaters: Fit and Comfort Tips →