It may not be October yet, but meow is the purr-fect time to get started training your kitty to wear Halloween costumes so it's fun for them and you, too!
While dressing your kitty up as a round li’l pumpkin or a sweet little bumblebee is admittedly adorable, it’s important to make sure that your cat isn’t stressed by the experience. After all, we want the howl-iday to be fun for everyone, pets included!
So if you’re going to dress your kitty up this Halloween, here are some tips to keep your kitty happy – even if they’re dressed up like a cowboy!
Shop the cute cat costumes featured in this article in our Halloween Shop!
1. The Purrfect Fit
Make sure anything you put on your cat is properly sized to fit – this includes collars and harnesses, too, not just clothes or costumes! A safe rule of thumb is that you should be able to easily slide a finger under the collar or costume. This is to make sure the costumes aren't too tight anddon't impede your cat’s ability to jump, move, and breathe.
2. Start Early
Be sure to introduce your cat to the costume in advance. Leave it out on the floor or near your cat’s favorite napping spot so they can get used to the sight and smell. Try sprinkling it with their favorite treats or some catnip/silver vine to get them interested. And if they lay on it, hey – that’s a bonus! They’ll get their scent on it and it won’t feel like a strange, foreign object to them.
3. Go Slow
After your cat’s used to the sight and smell of the costume, try laying it across your cat’s back for a few minutes to get them used to the feel of it. Don’t try to stick their paws through the armholes or cover their heads at first. And be sure to give your kitty plenty of treats, pets, or playtime in between so your cat associates the costume with a positive experience.
Once your cat is used to the feel of the costume on their back, it can help to slowly walk your cat through the steps of putting on the costume, all the while rewarding them with praise, treats, and breaks for playtime.
4. Observe Their Body Language
Pay close attention to your cat’s body language when dressing them in the costume to make sure they’re not stressed or frightened. While your little kitty pumpkin might look cute as can be, a lashing tail, lowered head and flattened ears can be a sign of distress; and the usual signs of hissing and swatting are all good indicators that your cat is just not feeling the costume. It’s important to understand your cat's needs and never push them to wear a costume if they are experiencing stress or discomfort.
5. Playtime!
When the costume is finally on, bring on the photos – and treats! If your cat seems to be unsure of what to do, try teasing them with a feather toy to lure your cat to stand up and follow. This will show your kitty that, no, they aren’t paralyzed by the cute bumblebee sweater and that yes, they can easily stand and walk around!
6. Photo Time!
Always keep an eye on your kitty when they’re dressed up in their Halloween best. And when it comes time tosnap some photos to capture the sheer adorableness of your kitty in a costume, just keep in mind your cat's comfort and mood, again paying attention to their body language.
Photo: @jomfootrakul, Instagram
With these tips in mind, we hope you and your kitty (whatever their costume may be) have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Planning to dress your kitty up this Halloween? Check out our Halloween Costume Ideasfor both you AND your cat!
Be sure to introduce your cat to the costume in advance. Leave it out on the floor or near your cat's favorite napping spot so they can get used to the sight and smell. Try sprinkling it with their favorite treats or some catnip/silver vine to get them interested. And if they lay on it, hey – that's a bonus!
They rely on their sharp senses to monitor their immediate surroundings and warn them of the presence of prey or danger. Halloween costumes for pets often cover the ears, touch the whiskers or hinder peripheral vision. When their senses are limited in this way, cats can feel threatened and anxious.
Pair an all-black outfit with a black tutu and gloves, then add accessories like a tail (made by attaching a feathery black boa to pipe cleaners or wire) and a pair of cat ears.
Costumes can limit the movement of your feline, their ability to go to the toilet and, in some cases, their breathing. Having pictures of them in hilarious costumes may seem fun for you both, but this should not be at the expense of your cat's safety and well-being.
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.
To turn yourself into an adorable cat for Halloween, cover your face with a blend of dark and light foundations to create the cat-face shape. Darken brows and create a bold cat eye with black eyeliner. Then color tip of nose black and add line from the nose to upper lip. Color top lip black.
Contrary to hiding, some cats may become more playful during Halloween. They might zoom around the house, chase after imaginary targets, or even engage in mischievous behavior. This sudden burst of energy can be attributed to the excitement in the atmosphere, the decorations, and the overall change in routine.
If you see your cat in this pose, they are trying to tell you (or someone else) that it is time to back off. It's a cat's way of saying they feel frightened or threatened, so it's best to back away and leave them alone to settle down.
According to the NRF, a pumpkin is the most popular pet costume in the U.S., with an estimated 11 percent of pet owners dressing their pets in these costumes. Hot dogs are second in terms of popularity at 7 percent, followed by bats at 4 percent and bumblebees and spiders tied at 3 percent.
While Halloween poses no special risk to community cats, including black cats, it is always best practice to monitor every cat you care for and keep an eye out for all of them.
Leave it in places popular with your cat so they can begin to get used to it and even trust it as something harmless. Slowly, work up to dressing up your cat. Along the way, positive reinforcement, treats, and a calm, soothing voice will win major points.
Cats thrive on routine and don't appreciate changes or new things. They can become stressed from a change in the household, a change in their food, or having clothing or a costume put on them.
You can play and provide treats as well, so that they enjoy being around it!
Start With Simple Pieces of Clothing. When starting your cat with sweaters, you don't want to overwhelm them with a huge sweater that covers their body immediately. ...
Some cats, a very few, will tolerate “wearing clothes”. Generally however they resist this as they will feel constrained and not be able to fend off any threats to their safety that they come across. They will also not be able to move freely.
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