While it may be tempting to put a costume or outfit on your pet, are you sure he’ll actually enjoy it? Putting clothes on dogs (and especially cats) can result in discomfort, stress and even injury. Experts weigh in on what you need to know before dressing up your pet.
The Consensus on Cat and Dog Halloween Costumes
“There's a difference between clothing a pet to create comfort and clothing a pet for fashion purposes. We have an obligation to make sure our beloved pets are comfortable, safe and not put under unnecessary stress,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, a cat behavior expert based in Nashville. This sentiment applies especially to cats.
“I’ve never seen a cat wearing a costume or clothing that looked happy per his facial and body language,” says Dr. Nancy Dunkle, founder of Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital in Medford, New Jersey. She says cat Halloween costumes and clothing prohibits self-grooming. “Costumes are also very dangerous for cats to wear as the elastic or binding that holds the costume on can cut off circulation and result in damage to, or possible loss, of a limb or tail.”
There’s one exception to dressing your cat up for a holiday, says Dunkle. If you’ve trained your cat to tolerate a collar and you want to “dress him up” for the holidays, a breakaway collar (designed to let a cat easily escape) with a seasonal theme is appropriate. Dogs aren’t overly fond of dressing up, either.
“While we think it’s adorable to dress up our dogs, for the most part dogs don’t agree with this,” says Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon. “It is important that animals are introduced slowly to wearing clothes and that the experience is a positive one for them. It is tempting to just put a costume on your pet and call it a day, but in most instances, this results in the animal being uncomfortable and scared.”
What About a Dog Sweater or Jacket?
Animals are individuals and have different needs, says Dr. Hyunmin Kim, veterinary staff manager for Community Medicine at ASPCA. For example, pets with short hair or those that are very thin or geriatric may require a sweater or coat in the winter for additional warmth.
In wintry weather, may be more important to consider taking care of your dog’s feet. “Boots may be needed to protect paw pads from ice and ice-melting salt. Both can cause pain and damage paw pads,” says Johnson-Bennett.
For the most part, only hairless cats need to be wrapped up in warm bedding or loose knit clothing (specially made for Sphynx cats), when they go out in freezing weather, says Dunkle. Of course, there are exceptions.
“If you are transporting an elderly or sick cat in cold weather, it’s a very good idea to loosely wrap the cat in warm towels or bedding or put warm bedding in the cat carrier before you take the cat outside,” she says. “Older and sick cats tend to have trouble keeping warm and the loose wrap doesn’t hinder the fur’s insulation properties.”
Is My Pet Comfortable in Clothing?
If your cat or dog continues doing all the things they’d normally do without clothes while wearing clothes, they’re probably tolerant of what they are wearing.
“They should still be able to run, play, roll around, jump and do all normal activities with ease,” says Dr. Zenithson Ng, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Conversely, signs such as scratching, biting, or rubbing at the clothes may indicate they need to come off. “In addition, some animals may not know what to do and simply freeze when clothes are put on, which likely indicates they’re not having a good time,” Ng says. To determine if your pet is comfortable in their clothing, learn to read their behavior.
What to Look for in Pet Clothes
Experts stress the importance of supervising your pet while he’s wearing clothing, especially if it’s a new experience for him.
“When putting clothing on pets, it’s vital to make sure they do not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow,” says Kim. “Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.” She also recommends checking for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that may present a choking hazard.
A dog jacket should have an area for a leash attachment or an opening for a collar or harness rings, Kim adds. It should also be easy to put on and take off without startling or hurting your pet.
Be mindful of the materials, as some synthetics can be flammable. “As long as the material is soft and washable, a specific type of material may not impact whether or not the animal wears,” says Ng. “However, while rare, some animals may have skin sensitivity or skin reactions to certain materials or allergens associated with clothing.”
When in doubt, ask your veterinarian if clothing is appropriate for your pet. Pet costumes and clothing can be fun for people, but it’s essential to put the animal’s best interests first.
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