It’s spooky season and I am so excited. I love Halloween and everything about it, especially all the black cat decor I can purchase on my recreational trips to Target. Yes, going to Target is a recreational activity. I will not be taking questions.
With the upcoming holiday, you may have found some really cute cat costumes that you want to get your cat for the holiday. Even if you’re reading this at a different time of year, you may be thinking of trying cat clothes like an adorable sweater for your cat. Are costumes for cats a good idea or should you think twice? And if it’s not a great idea, is there something else you can do instead?
Get ready because I’m about to be a huge fun killer, but I promise I’ll offer some even more creative solutions after.
What Is The Problem With Cat Costumes?
Let’s start with the biggest issue with cat costumes: they don’t benefit your cat. With some exceptions (like hairless cats in cold climates or a surgical suit after a medical procedure), there isn’t a reason to put a cat in clothing that benefits them. You are asking your cat to do something that is really uncomfortable and distressing that doesn’t provide them with any benefit.
More accurately, you’re forcing your cat to do something. Your cat doesn’t have a choice in the matter.
Sure, it may seem harmless to shove something on them and snap a quick photo, but you’re causing your cat a lot of stress doing that. Plus, some costumes could be dangerous. If your cat swallows string from a costume, it could result in an emergency surgery. If your cat is uncomfortable in their costume and tries to get it off, they may get caught in part of it which could lead to injury or strangulation.
You Could Make It Better
Could you help your cat get comfortable with a costume by desensitizing them to the costume gradually. This is a sometimes complex process that requires time and patience. If you’re open to putting in the effort to desensitize them to a costume, then it might be okay. I will fully admit that I desensitized Zoloft to wearing a pair of bat wings for Halloween one year, though I had the secondary goal of getting him used to wearing a harness. It did benefit him as he could go outside with me.
Still, though, it’s not necessarily something your cat will love. Why put all that effort into something when you can get your cat some fun Halloween toys that they’ll love and will make for some cute photos instead? Poutine loves his monster toys and I regularly find him happily tugging at their legs. No extra work required on your end.
Are There Other Ways To Get Spooky With Your Cat?
As someone who takes Halloween extremely seriously, I don’t want to smush your spooky by ruining all the fun of the season. Thankfully, there are cat friendly alternatives to cat costumes that can be just as fun for all involved.
Use Something They Will Wear
Zoloft was completely okay with bowties and collars so I’d often have him wear a spooky collar or a Halloween bandana to celebrate the season. I didn’t need to do any work to get him used to it as it never bothered him, but obviously this isn’t a great choice if your cat doesn’t like collars. Just make sure you choose a safe collar if you go this route.
Photoshop Is Your Friend
If you want to put your cat into a costume, consider photoshopping it onto them. You can also use a filter in an app to add a spooky touch. This allows you to get creative and keep your cat safe and comfortable.
Make A Spooky Craft
While holiday trees are associated with Christmas, I am not ashamed that I have a Halloween tree that I put up every year. You can make a paw print ornament for a Halloween tree (that could be reused for the winter holidays) or use an orange and black clean touch ink pad to get spooky paw prints of your cat. Either way, it will be something fun to share and will create a lasting memento of your sweet cat after they are gone.
Incorporate Them Into Your Costume
This is probably my favorite idea so I saved it for last. Rather than putting a cat costume on your cat, make them part of your costume as is. There are so many creative ways to do this, but a few ideas to get you started:
- Go as Team Rocket from the Pokemon series and have your cat be Meowth
- Warrant Officer Ripley and her cat from Alien
- Jon Arbuckle and Garfield
- Pooh and Tigger
- Pinocchio and Figaro
- One of the Simpsons and Snowball II
- Tom and Jerry
There are so many cat and human pairs out there that you can find a cat costume that doesn’t involve dressing up your cat.
Cat Costumes Have Better Alternatives
I hope by now you’ll reconsider using a cat costume for spooky day. Cats can be little balls of stress as is and there isn’t any need to increase their stress. You can still make the day spooky for you while not spooking your cat.
If you’re looking for a fun Halloween activity your cat will enjoy, consider setting up some kitty trick or treating (or helping your cat learn about doing tricks for treats). Get a series of small sauce dishes (like this set of colorful cat dishes that I use for playing pattern games with my cats) or a hunting mouse feeder. Fill it with kibble or treats and set it up so your cat has to “trick or treat” to find their treats. It’s a spooky but enjoyable activity for all involved!
