:quality(75))
:format(webp):quality(75))
Halloween is a fun time for all the family, and while dogs can sometimes enjoy dressing up (within reason), cats typically aren’t into it.
But why don’t cats like dressing up at Halloween, and is it worth giving them some kind of costume to complement your party or day out? What are the signs that a cat doesn’t enjoy it, and should you even put your cat in a costume?
Here, we discuss why cats don’t like dressing up, and state why you probably shouldn’t dress yours up this Halloween.
:quality(75))
Cats and Halloween - should you dress them up?
:quality(75))
No, you shouldn’t. Well, you shouldn’t for the vast majority of cats. The rare few may not mind getting dressed up, but for most kitties, costumes present restricted movement and limit how well they can regulate their body temperature; in short, most cats just find costumes plain annoying.
There are a few reasons why most cats can’t stand dressing up, and they include:
Discomfort - Most cats find costumes physically uncomfortable.
Health risks - Costumes can prevent a cat from grooming themselves, which is a major part of a cat’s temperature regulation and stress relief.
Restricted movement - Cats enjoy feeling free and moving around, so restricted movement can stress them out.
Stress and anxiety - Costumes present a change in routine and something new, which can cause anxiety and stress. Combined with the factors we mentioned above, it’s an all-around bad time for cats.
Signs your cat isn’t enjoying their costume
:quality(75))
Behavioural changes
Excessive attempts at grooming
Hissing
Lack of interest in playing or interacting with you
Refusing to eat
Body language
Dilated pupils
Flattened, back-facing ears
Hunched posture
Physical discomfort
Clawing or biting
Excessive vocalisation
Freezing
Trying to escape
Should you even put your cat in a costume?
Generally, you shouldn't. Costumes present clear health risks, like:
Ingestion
Costumes can have small decorations, which do present a choking hazard for some cats.
Injury risk
Costumes present a small, but still present, injury risk, like getting tangled up.
Overheating
As mentioned, cats have very specific actions to lower their body temperature, and a costume can prevent that, increasing the risk of dehydration and overheating.
Stress-related illness
Since costumes raise stress in most cats, it can lead them to experience stress-related illness, particularly if they have a history of anxiety or behavioural conditions.
But it does depend on the cat, too. Some pet parents do say their cat doesn’t mind costumes, but this is rare, and for most cats, it’s better to avoid them.
What to do with your cat instead
:quality(75))
Thankfully, there are fun Halloween alternatives for cats that don’t involve costumes. Some include:
Celebrating black cats
If your cat is black, then they’re already naturally made for Halloween! You should never dye your cat if they aren’t black, though. It’s dangerous.
Just letting them engage in the celebrations
You don’t need to feel any pressure in dressing up your cat. Just focus on creating a fun, festive and safe Halloween environment, and let them engage at their own pace.
Small, DIY accessories
Costumes probably aren’t a good idea, but small accessories, like a simple DIY collar decoration or a themed collar, can work just as well. Just make sure they're not a choking hazard.
Themed blankets and toys
Try giving your cat a new, Halloween-themed toy or adding a festive blanket to their bed. That can be more than enough to get them in the spooky spirit.
How cat insurance can help
Halloween should be a fun, memorable time for you and your cat. As pet parents, however, we should avoid putting our pets under too much stress.
Thankfully, cat insurance is there to help. Our Complete Care plan has up to £20,000 vet fee cover, and all of our plans include 24/7 video vet access, meaning you can focus on enjoying spooky time with your feline in peace.
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))