10 Dog & Cat Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone! It’s pumpkin carving time, and we’re going big this year. Since we’re all about pets here at Trupanion, we decided to put their faces on pumpkins!

If you’re like us, you’re looking for a more unique design than what everyone else is doing on the block anyway. Here are a whole bunch of free dog and cat pumpkin carving stencil sheets just for you. Scroll on down to take a look, or take a quick minute to go over how to use them (and how to keep your pet safe in the process!)

How to use your pumpkin carving stencil

1. Open the top of the pumpkin and clean it out, scraping the flesh thinnest in the region where you’ll carve the design. Use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the pattern to fit the pumpkin.
2. Attach the art guide to the pumpkin with tape.
3. Use a pin to make pin pricks along the stencil lines, piercing the paper.
4. Use thin crafts or wood-cutting knives to carve the pattern. Cut completely through solid lines. Simply peel away skin with dotted lines to enhance features. You may want to etch before you carve to avoid breaking the pumpkin.

Worried about getting pumpkin guts all over your phone while you try to follow these instructions? No problem! Each downloadable pumpkin carving sheet below also comes with instructions printed right on them.

Keep pets safe during pumpkin carving

Having a real-life dog or cat around? Keep them far out of reach of your pumpkin carving station! Instead, try carving pumpkins outside while pets are kept in the house. Or, confine them to a room or area they cannot escape, along with their favorite toy, a cozy spot to curl up in, and access to fresh drinking water.

While you’re at it, now’s a great time to learn more about practicing fall safety with pets.

10 free dog & cat pumpkin carving stencils

Scroll through 10 different, downloadable designs for custom jack-o-lanterns featuring dogs, cats, and pet themes in general. These pumpkin carving sheets are perfect for pet lovers everywhere this Halloween!

1. Dog and cat carving sheet

Why choose between a dog or a cat when you can have both on your pumpkin? This simple design features both a canine and a feline figure side-by-side, just the way it should be.

Take a look here.

2. Cool cat outline

Looking for a simple yet mysterious ode to felines? This cat figure will do. Create just a dotted outline or carve out the whole kitty for an extra spooky glow.

Check it out here.

3. Paw print of approval

Everyone in the neighborhood will know exactly where you stand when it comes to pets! Give your pumpkin the paw print of approval with this fun design.

Get the paw print.

4. Good boy dog outline

He’s a good boy, and he knows it. With him on your jack-o-lantern, this Halloween is sure to be full of treats.

Download this dog outline.

5. Mr. Whiskers (a.k.a. a cat face)

We’re calling him Mr. Whiskers, but you can call him whatever you like once you’ve chiseled his gorgeous face into your pumpkin! This outline of a feline expression comes with whiskers, stripes, and a wonderfully stoic attitude.

See the face of Mr. Whiskers for yourself.

6. Lassie who? (a dog face!)

If you feel yourself wanting to throw a ball, check yourself and make sure it’s to an actual dog and not this pumpkin. Complete with a grinning expression and curious eyebrows, this pup face is that of a good girl ready to play this Halloween.

Get this cute doggo for your pumpkin.

7. Happy purr-oween

Wait until you see this face on your pumpkin. Who wouldn’t want to cuddle that? Download this pretty kitty onto your pumpkin and into your heart.

Get the cat face here.

8. Spooktacular Frenchie

Finally, a French bulldog face just waiting to greet trick or treaters! This jack-o-lantern is all Frenchie and no fright.

See this fun pup.

9. The ultimate dog face

Tongue out and eyebrows up, this canine might make you want to switch over to dog face jack-o-lanterns for goods. Why would anyone go with triangle eyes when they could have this floppy-eared beauty instead?

Call this dog home.

10. The face of Trupanion

We’re proud to say that this cutie is none other than the face we know and love here at Trupanion! If you’re currently protecting your dog or cat with us, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar. If not, then there’s no better time than the present to learn how pet health insurance can help ensure you and your pal share more Halloweens for years to come.

Check it out.

Share your pet jack-o-lantern with the world

Did your pumpkin turn out great? We want to know! Share it with us on Facebook, or tag @Trupanion in your post! Let’s make this season as pet-centric as pawsible (yep, we love pets so much we’re not afraid to get punny about it).

Happy Halloween, and happy pumpkin carving!