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Halloween is my favorite time of year. For me, it’s more about decorating than dressing up. My cats wholeheartedly agree. I’ll occasionally balance a little witch hat on one of their heads (with no ribbons on the neck or tape to make the hat stay on) or attach a Halloween-themed bow tie to their collars for a cute photo op, but after a disastrous experiment with a caterpillar costume on my cat, Jack, we all decided that costumes are a definite no-no.
We love our cats and want them to be part of all of our holiday festivities, but cats see things differently. What’s fun for us can be confusing and scary for them. Even if your cat seems to enjoy wearing a costume, at best they’re probably just tolerating it.
4 Problems With Dressing up Your Cat for Halloween
Sometimes we forget that cats are not just little people. For a cat, being in a costume can be everything from simply annoying to absolutely terrifying. Here are four reasons you shouldn’t make your cat wear a costume.
1. Restriction of Body Movement
Imagine being trapped in clothing you can’t squeeze your way out of. If that makes you uncomfortable, it’s no different for your cat. Certain costumes don’t allow your cat to move around freely or see, hear, or smell the world around them.
Whiskers can get squashed, and a cat could even get injured trying to wriggle out of the costume. It also limits a cat’s ability to communicate, making it hard for you to tell whether they’re anxious or scared.
2. Skin Discomfort
Some cats are extremely sensitive about anything touching their coat. Costumes that bind or press against certain areas of the body can cause anything from to discomfort and itching to actual pain. Some costumes could even cause an allergic reaction that requires a trip to the veterinarian.
3. Choking Hazards
Costumes with features like little ornaments, buttons, and fasteners (just to name a few) can be a choking hazard—especially if the cat is determined to get out of the costume they don’t want to wear. If your cat manages to swallow any of these little pieces, it could lead to a dangerous (and expensive) intestinal blockage.
4. Stress
Forcing a cat to do something they don’t want to do—especially if it’s mainly for your own entertainment—causes unnecessary stress. Not being able to move around freely or being made to wear something that compromises their senses and natural movements can cause anxiety and fear.
That stress is bad enough, but it could also hurt the relationship you have with your cat. Cats create associations between every negative experience and the person that put them in that experience. Forcing your cat to wear a costume against their will risks can damage the trust between you and your cat.
When To Clothe Your Cat
Certain hairless or thin-coated breeds, like the Sphynx or Devon Rex, might need a little help keeping warm, especially if they live in a cold climate. Make sure the clothing you put on your cat fits just right—something too tight can restrict your cat’s natural movements, while something too loose could be a tripping hazard. Always keep an eye on your cat when they’re wearing clothing to make sure they don’t accidentally overheat.
A cat who has just had surgery could also benefit from a lightweight sweater or shirt. The clothing will protect any shaved spots from exposure and can also help them leave their stitches alone. I once had two foster kittens who had a really rough time after their spay surgeries and absolutely would not tolerate wearing a cone, so I made them little onesies from a pair of socks. They looked silly, but it did the trick.
The Bottom Line
Unless there is a medical or behavioral reason for your cat to wear clothing, it’s best to just skip it. Your cat’s coat is there for a reason, so dressing them up doesn’t benefit them one bit.
Halloween night is for giving out candy and watching scary movies—not taking your cat to the emergency vet because of a costume mishap. And the stress your cat could be feeling really isn’t worth it. So leave the costumes to all the little ghosts and goblins at your door, and let your cat enjoy Halloween au naturel.
FAQs
Restriction of Body Movement
Why shouldn't you dress up your cat? ›
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 dress up your pet for Halloween? ›
But no matter how well-meaning the intention, it's important to remember that dressing up our pets rarely benefits them. You might think your cat or dog looks cute in their Halloween costume, but your pet is probably uncomfortable and possibly even stressed.
Why shouldn't you let black cats out Halloween? ›
There are myths about black cats being bad luck and connected to witchcraft. This is nothing more than archaic folklore. Black cats are sometimes used as Halloween props and then discarded. To be safe, keep your black cats indoors, especially around Halloween.
Do cats like Halloween costumes? ›
Cats are agile and flexible and can climb fences, jump high, land on their feet or disappear under a couch in a flash. These are all ways for them to feel safe when they detect a threat. Since Halloween costumes prevent them from moving easily, they create unnecessary stress. They're uncomfortable!
Is dressing up your cat animal abuse? ›
Avoid dressing cats up – most cats will not tolerate nor enjoy wearing any costume. Even pets who appear calm when wearing a costume should be supervised closely at all times and should only wear their outfits for short periods.
Why shouldn't you look a cat in the eyes? ›
1. Direct eye contact. Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening.
What percentage of pet owners dress their pets up for Halloween? ›
It's a trend that many pet owners embrace: According to national survey results released last year by PetSmart, 76 percent of adult American pet owners said they planned to put their pets in costumes, with 30 percent saying they intended to have their pets dress up more than once for the holiday.
Should I keep my cat in on Halloween? ›
Be mindful of trick or treaters
Trick or treaters dressed in costumes can be frightening for some cats, so it's best to keep your cat away from the front door during Halloween. Keeping them in a safe room away from the door can prevent them from bolting outside if they get scared.
What is the advice for pets on Halloween? ›
Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and lots of strangers (in creepy costumes, too) can often be scary and stressful for pets. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate, comfortable room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours.
But the reality is, black cats don't actually face increased danger because of Halloween. It's just an urban legend. "That's pure myth," Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies, told USA TODAY.
Is it bad luck if a black cat crosses your path on Halloween? ›
Among superstitions, one of the oldest and most enduring is that crossing paths with a black cat will bring on bad luck. The dark-colored felines have also been folded into modern Halloween symbols, giving them the (unearned) reputation of being spooky.
Why don't shelters adopt black cats in October? ›
For this reason, there is a pervasive misconception that black cats are in danger during the Halloween season because they are more likely become victims of abuse or ritualistic sacrifice during this time of year. Many animal rescues choose not to make their black cats available for adoption in October for this reason.
Is it okay to dress up your cat? ›
Whatever you dress your cat in, make sure it has a snug fit. The garment should neither be too tight nor too small, as serious hazards can result from either possibility. Your cat must be able to breath, see, communicate, eat, move, jump, and go to the bathroom without being hindered by whatever they're dressed in.
What should I dress my cat up for Halloween? ›
Wizard of oz – Lion & Witch
Your cat can be the fiercest feline around with a lion's mane costume for Halloween. You already know they're king of the house. Dress as a witch and have a friend tag along as a wardrobe for a fun literary themed group look.
What color of cat is usually not allowed to be purchased during Halloween? ›
There's an old fear that black cats are usually adopted by people with bad intentions, especially around Halloween.
Why shouldn't cats wear clothes? ›
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.
Do cats like being dressed up? ›
Some pets are okay with wearing clothes, while others may not be as comfortable. For example, dogs who are outgoing and enjoy being around people may be more likely to tolerate wearing clothes than shy or anxious dogs. Cats who are independent and non-social may be more likely to dislike pet clothing.
Why do cats flop over when you put clothes on them? ›
They feel confined
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.
Do cats like being covered up? ›
If your cat likes to sleep under the covers, they are probably enjoying the warmth as well as the familiarity and comfort of your scent. Cats can also be quite sensitive to noise, and the covers offer an escape from stressful noises. In addition, some cats like the security of being wrapped or swaddled in a blanket.
