Cute or Careless? Why It’s Never a Good Idea to Dress Up Your Cat

With Halloween, Christmas, and New Year just around the corner, it can be tempting to impart a little ‘holiday cheer’ on your kitty by trying to dress them up. After all, the internet abounds with funny videos and pictures of felines wearing cute outfits. However, as harmless as it seems, forcing your cat to dress up in a bat costume or Christmas sweater is unlikely to make them feel happy and festive. Cat in a Flat explains why it’s not always a good idea to dress up your cat and provides some fun alternatives you can try instead! 

Is it okay to dress up my cat?

Is it okay to dress up my cat? Unless there’s a specific benefit for your fur friend (e.g. you’re trying to keep your hairless kitty warm in a cold climate), making them dress up in costumes or clothes is generally not recommended. Not only does it restrict Mr Whiskers’ ability to move, but it can be stressful for your kitty too. When you dress up your cat, you are removing their sense of control and making them to do something they don’t want to. Unlike giving your feline medication or taking them to the vet, forcing your cat to wear clothes has no benefit and can be upsetting for them, too. 

Why dressing up your cat is a bad idea

There are a few reasons why it’s usually not a good idea to dress up your cat: 

• Restricted movement. Felines are incredibly agile animals. Their flexible spines and powerful muscles give them the ability to jump, climb, and run. This also allows them to be able to twist their bodies to land on their feet. When you dress up your cat, you restrict their ability to move naturally. This can impact their sense of safety and even create more hazards for Mr Whiskers. 
• Heightened anxiety. Our fur friends love routine and like to be in control of their environments. Clothes or a costume can make your kitty feel like they’ve lost control of their body. This can heighten anxiety and stress for your feline. 
• Restricted grooming. Grooming is essential for your kitty’s mental and physical health. Clothing restricts Mr Whiskers’ ability to groom and can also cause your feline to overheat. Imagine wearing clothes on top of a fur coat. No wonder dressing up can be unpleasant for cats! 
• Safety risks. A costume that doesn’t fit well or has loose parts hanging off it can get caught on furniture. Getting trapped may cause your kitty to panic and possibly injure themselves trying to get free. Your furry friend may also accidentally ingest parts of a costume. Like with dangerous toys, it’s best to avoid clothes and costumes that could cause obstruction or choking. 

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Are there alternatives to dressing up your cat?

Are there alternatives to dressing up your cat? If you want your furry friend to be ‘on theme’ for Halloween or Christmas, there are a few alternatives you can try. Festive collars, themed toys, and a creative approach to dressing up (yourself) can keep the holidays fun and stress-free for you and your feline. 

Find something else they’ll wear

Instead of trying to dress up your cat in clothes or costumes, why not use less restrictive accessories instead? Many kitties are comfortable with collars, bows, or bandanas. There are so many cute options out there for your furry friend! If your cat spends time outdoors, their collar can serve as both a fashion statement and a safety mechanism. Just add an ID tag with your info to Mr Whiskers’ themed collar. This way, you’re easy to contact should they get lost. If you haven’t already, get your kitty microchipped too. Collars can fall off, but a microchip is a more secure way to ensure your furry friend makes their way back to you if they’re lost or injured.

Buy holiday-themed toys

If you have a cat who doesn’t like to dress up at all, not even with collars, bows, or bandanas, don’t force it. Instead, get in the holiday spirit with some fun themed feline toys and treats! Playing with your cat every day is important, and you can add a festive twist with special toys around the holidays. Buy your furry friend some cute Halloween-themed toys. Or replace hazardous Christmas decorations with a fun gingerbread scratcher house for Mr Whiskers!

Get creative with your costume

Instead of trying to dress up your cat, why not incorporate them into your costume? If you like dressing up on Halloween, find creative ways to do so around your furry friend. For example, if you have a ginger cat, you can dress up as Jon Arbuckle and your furry friend can be Garfield. Or throw on a mouse costume and play Jerry to your kitty’s Tom! There are some really fun ways to still dress up for the holidays without making your fur friend wear a costume or clothes too. 

Christmas and New Year are peak times for pet sitters, and they get booked out fast. If you are traveling this holiday season, don’t wait until the last minute to make plans for your kitty. Skip sending your furry friend to a cattery or kennel—these can be very stressful environments for felines—and instead book a cat sitter for  at-home care. Give yourself plenty of time to find the right sitter for you and Mr Whiskers; this means beginning your search several weeks before you leave. Schedule time to meet potential cat sitters first to see if your fur friend gets along with them. And make sure you read up on what pet sitters can and can’t do, so you know what to expect!