Okay, I’m not gonna lie. I’m a sucker for cats wearing little people clothes. Who isn’t? Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t completely lose it when you see a kitty in a dapper little bowtie, or wearing a fancy pink tutu? Animals in clothing may be the purest, most delightful sight to behold in all the world. But even though it is a true pleasure to see them sporting human duds, is it really something we should be doing to our furry friends?
WHEN RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
To start off, let’s assume we’re talking about your average tabby cat with no medical problems and a full coat of fur. Does Snowball need a sweater? No. Does he seem to like wearing a sweater? Also no. Should you force him to wear it? I mean, probably not. Is it considered animal abuse to make your cat wear clothes? Nah, it’s probably just slightly annoying and, at worst, uncomfortable for your cat to be waddling around in that sharp little vest that you bought for him from the baby section of Target. But, this is your wedding! And he’s your ring-bearer!
First of all, adorable. Second of all, if you simply must make him suffer through an hour-long photoshoot with him in a vest, then I’m sure he’d appreciate it if you just take the dang picture and be done with it. Probably best not to push it past that though, and let him live the rest of his life au naturale. If he goes absolutely nuts when you finally manage to stick him in the thing, then it’s definitely not a good idea to force him to smile for the camera. Just let him be his perfect self, sans clothing.
Additionally, it’s never a good idea to keep your cat in clothing for very long, especially warm clothing such as sweaters. Even in chilly weather, it’s dangerous to put a sweater on Mr. Mittens and keep it on him for a long period of time. This is because cats are kept warm by their own furry coats, and an extra layer on top of that may cause them to overheat.
Another thing to take into consideration is how active your cat is. If he’s always on the move, putting clothes on him might restrict his movement, resulting in bumps on the noggin and, at worst, a broken bone. But, if you have a particularly docile cat who is older and doesn’t move around as much, it’s okay to put him in a sweater just for kicks, but keeping it on him might interfere with his ability to regulate his body temperature. So basically, it’s cute for a few pictures, but don’t overdo it - especially if the weather is toasty to begin with.
THE CONE OF SHAME
Now, let’s consider another possibility. Perhaps you have a cat who’s just been fixed, or needed surgery. Now she’s home, but she’s got a big ol’ set of stitches, and an incision (or wound) that needs to heal. The classic route is going “cone of shame”; wrapping her little head up in a big plastic cone so that she looks like the lamp from Pixar. Though medically necessary, some cats find it particularly humiliating and cumbersome to be walking around looking like a satellite dish - and to be fair, it does impede their movement and ability to feed themselves. An alternative to the cone of shame might be, you guessed it! KITTY CLOTHING. You can either get a small dog sweater for them from the pet shop, or, fun fact, many cats fit in baby clothes sizes 0-3 months. You’re welcome.
HAIRLESS FASHIONISTAS
Lastly, another time when it is acceptable, and in some cases downright necessary to put clothes on your cat, is when you’re dealing with hairless breeds. Sphynx cats, for example, have a soft “peach fuzz” coat of fur, but that fur is hardly good at keeping them warm during the winter months. Therefore, just like humans, hairless cats need to wear sweaters when the temperatures drop. In addition to keeping your hairless kitty safe, comfortable, and warm, it offers the opportunity to make them look absolutely fabulous. So, in this instance, go crazy! I mean, not too crazy. But you can go a little crazy. Stock your kitty’s wardrobe up with all the latest winter fashions. She’ll be set for another season of frigid temperatures - in style.
Most importantly, always be considerate of how your cat feels. Like I said, if they’re not having anything of it, it’s best not to force them to wear anything they don’t need to. And trust me, you will know if they’re not having anything of it. If they’re more laidback and you are responsible about it, it might be cute to give it a go. In cases when it is necessary, well - that answers the question for you. Above all, your cat’s health should be your primary concern. And if you do have the opportunity to dress them to the nines, take pictures!
Written by Diomira Keane
FAQs
Wearing clothes doesn't come naturally to pets and it can cause them stress, especially cats. Stressed cats might groom themselves a lot, be aggressive towards you or make more noise than usual. Dogs might show they're stressed by licking their lips, yawning or panting.
Should you put a coat on a cat? ›
Thick sweaters or coats are generally not a good idea though, especially for cats with thick, long coats. In fact, adding an extra layer to your cat's already warm fur may cause your pet to overheat.
Do cats like being put in clothes? ›
Most cats greatly dislike wearing clothing, so it's best not to put your pet in them. Even if your favorite feline does not put up a fuss about getting dressed up, costumes and clothing still aren't the best idea for them.
Why do cats flop when they wear clothes? ›
When you put clothes on them for the first time they feel like their movement is restricted. Since it is a new sensation kitty will either freeze up or fall over because they feel like they cannot walk or move.
Should you put clothes on pets? ›
Sweaters, coats, and sweatshirts are ideal for pets that have a little trouble keeping warm. Before you buy or order one of these items of clothing, be sure to measure your pet's neck and chest. Clothing should fit snugly, but not be so tight that it affects your pet's comfort.
Do cats feel uncomfortable in clothes? ›
“Too loose, and they can just get right out of it. Too snug, they'll really want to get out of it, so you kind of want it to be more on the fitted side,” Nagelschneider says. Many cats dislike wearing any type of clothing, so the key is to go slowly and not force a cat to wear a sweater if he really resists.
Does my indoor cat need a sweater? ›
“A sweater is really only needed when they are going into a cold environment,” Dr. Lorraine A. Corriveau, DVM, a small animal primary care clinician at Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, says of hairless cats—like Sphynx—in particular.
What is a healthy coat for a cat? ›
A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not coarse or brittle, and healthy skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky, or bumpy.
Why do cats like sitting on coats? ›
Your Cat Wants Comfort
They aren't doing it on purpose or to spread their thin fur throughout your home. Actually, when a cat lies on your clothes, it is a sign that they love and trust you. Your clothes, you see, have your scent in them, which is calming and familiar.
Why do cats not move when you put clothes on them? ›
They feel confined
Think, for a moment, about how a cat moves. They are flexible, agile, and almost liquid. It's a gracefulness that looks a bit wild in even the tamest housecat. So if you put anything unfamiliar on your cat's body, it's going to feel unnatural and it's going to inhibit their range of motion.
not all cats react the same to wearing. clothes or costumes. if they don't like it, they will 100 let you know by resisting. and walking backwards in an attempt to get it off, or freezing in place like a statue.
Why do cats fall over when they have a harness on? ›
Many cats will fall over or freeze when they feel the harness because it triggers a survival response that they would employ if grabbed by a predator. You need to help them move through this instinctual behavior with a highly attractive motivation toy or treat — and lots of praise.
Why does my cat freeze when I put clothes on him? ›
Why do cats freeze when you put clothes on them? If you notice that your cat does freeze up when in costume, this is usually a sign that they are uncomfortable and restricted in clothing. Wearing clothes is not natural for cats, so it may take some time for them to get used to the material.
Is it okay to put a shirt on my cat? ›
Some clothes and costumes can be restrictive and prevent cats from grooming or running or even make toileting difficult. This loss of natural behaviours and expressions can cause stress, anxiety. There is also a potential danger if clothes or costumes become entangled or tighten.
Why do cats sit on your chest backwards? ›
Your cat may sit backward on your chest for many of the same reasons we've already talked about. For example, the human chest can feel comfortable, warm, and loving. Your view won't be as nice as a forward-facing cat. But when your kitty sits with their rear near your face, it tells you that they trust you completely.
How long can cats wear clothes? ›
Keep it short. If your cat isn't used to cat clothes, don't keep the sweater on for long. First time, put it on for 5 minutes, while giving affection and treats, like I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Next day you can prolong it by 5 minutes and keep the sweater on for 10 minutes total.
Can cat diseases be transmitted on clothing? ›
Transmission occurs by direct contact with infected cats or their urine, feces, blood, nasal secretions or vomit. It can also be transmitted by indirect contact, such as food and water bowls, clothing, shoes, hands, bedding, litter boxes, cages and by fleas from an infected cat.
Do cats like to sleep on your clothes? ›
Cats are adorable pets and like to feel both comfortable and secure. Have you ever seen a cat sleeping nicely on top of your clothes? They aren't doing it on purpose or to make a mess. Actually, most cats will lay on top of their owner's clothes because it brings them comfort.
Can you train a cat to wear clothes? ›
Slowly Introduce the Clothing
Before actually putting on the sweater, introduce the clothing to your cat first. Try leaving it in your cat's space and allow them to sniff and play with it on their own. Letting them explore the object helps them familiarize themselves, making them more comfortable.
