Warning: Halloween is just a little less than a month away, and he who hesitates winds up with a Dachshund-as-hot-dog costume.

In your search for the perfect accoutrements for Halloween, here are some options to get you started. And remember: The scariest thing of all is waiting until the last minute.

Any animal looks cute in a costume, but toy dogs are just delectable. Puppelove.com (866-472-6738) offers an impossibly cute selection. Our favorites, all starting at $28: a French maid outfit; Barktoria's Secret, all frippery and pink satin; "Barkenstein," which has protruding bones instead of bolts; and a taco costume that will be irresistible to any Chihuahua owner with a sense of humor.

While Satan parodies are a staple this time of year, the cutest-little-devil award has to go to the horned-and-caped ensemble by Zelda, that dress-up-obsessed bulldog who also has her own line of greeting cards and calendars. It's already on back-order at buycostumes.com (800-459-2969), but we found it in stock for $12 at costumes4less.com (888-726-7886).

Very few costumes walk the line between holiday and every day, but we found one. The fluffy Panda Coat from Dogo Design has a warm inner lining, Velcro closure - and will make your Lhasa a dead ringer for Ling-Ling. You can have the coat special-ordered for $33 at Fetch Doggie Boutique and Bakery (302 E. Main St., Port Jefferson, 631-331-0965; fetchdoggies.com) also has some unusual costumes in stock, including a chef ($17.50) and a bullfighter ($18).

If your dog objects to a costume, perhaps you can just accessorize. BOO! scarves, available in small and large sizes, are just $10 at Los Angeles-based iseespot.com (877-586-8719, ext. 208).

You can attempt to coerce your kitty into trying on a costume. Or you can just settle for one of the "cat hats" at spoiledrottenkitties.com (877-413-8747), from the pink Biker Babe visor ($19.95) to the monarchal Lil Majesty crown ($6.95).

Rhinestone skulls were all the rage last year, and the Italian leather collars at bowhausnyc.com (212-673-2705) are accessorized with skulls made of Austrian crystal rhinestones. Prices start at $140 for extra small, up to $170 for large.

Shoulder-perchers can get into the act, too. Flightquarters.com (888-412-7667), which markets bird diapers, sells "flight suits" starting at $20.99 with one of five Halloween-themed appliques. Also on tap are AvianAttire costumes for large birds and small, from tailed tuxedos to an Uncle Sam get-up (both starting at $36.99).

If your bird prefers to be cagey, then go the toy route. At auniqueidea.com (586-465- 7933), you can pick up a jack-o'-lantern-inspired thick pine wood chew toy for $10.75.

Mammals aren't the only ones who have to suffer the indignity of dressing up on All Hallow's Eve. Hermit crab shells painted with everything from jack-o'-lanterns to skulls and crossbones are available at thecrabisland.com (978-297-4728).