Why Put Cute Clothes on Your Cat?
Cats have become internet celebrities as their owners dress them in adorable costumes and share photos or videos online. Mini top hats, fluffy dresses, even full Spiderman or dinosaur outfits – if you can put it on a human baby, someone’s probably tried it on a cat!
While people have always dressed up pets on occasion, the trend of putting cats in cute clothes has exploded in popularity over the last decade. But beyond earning “awws” on the internet, could dressing your furry feline actually be beneficial for certain reasons? In this article, we’ll explore some of the main pros and cons of putting clothes on cats.
Cats Make Cute Models
Cats can make for adorable models to show off cute outfits and accessories. Their curious nature and range of movements lets their personality shine as they explore while wearing clothes. It’s fun to see kitties with sweaters, onesies, dresses, shirts, and jackets meant for humans. Accessories like hats, sunglasses, ties, and bow ties add to the cuteness when cats playfully bat at the items. Dressing up cats gives owners enjoyment in seeing their beloved pets in fanciful costumes. With the right clothes that allow free movement, kitties can strut their stuff in style while charming their families. The modeling opportunities are endless for creative cat parents to make funny photos and videos of fashionable felines.
Protects Against Dirt and Weather
One of the main benefits of dressing your cat is to keep their fur clean and protected, both indoors and outside. At home, cat clothes can prevent shedding on furniture and carpets. Outdoors, clothes shield your cat’s coat from dirt, mud, burrs, and foxtails if they enjoy the backyard or go for walks.
Depending on the climate and season where you live, certain outfits can also provide warmth or cooling for your cat. Sweaters and jackets are ideal for cold weather, helping cats regulate their body temperature. In summer, you can find UV-protective shirts, lightweight tees, and other breathable clothes to prevent overheating. Just be sure to choose fabrics suited to the temperature so your cat stays comfortable. Proper insulation in the winter or ventilation in the summer will keep your dressed up kitty cozy!
Helps with Grooming
One of the best reasons to dress your cat is that it can help with grooming. Cat clothes can actually prevent excessive shedding by containing loose hair. Rather than having hair shed all over your home, it will be trapped in the outfit.
Certain clothes like pajamas and onesies also stop cats from being able to scratch themselves excessively or over-groom. Cats may scratch or lick themselves raw, which can damage their skin and fur. Small outfits act as a protective barrier that keeps them from being able to reach those areas. This prevents bald spots, wounds, and skin irritation from developing.
So if your cat is a prolific shedder or suffers from over-grooming, try putting them in a cute outfit. It serves a practical purpose by managing and containing hair and discouraging scratching. Just make sure to limit how long they wear it and monitor for any skin irritation. With the right clothes your cat can look adorable while you get control of their grooming behaviors.
Aids Medical Conditions
Dressing pets can be very beneficial for medical conditions that require protection and limited mobility. Clothes can help cover wounds, rashes, hot spots, and incisions that need to be kept clean and protected. This prevents the cat from scratching, licking or biting the affected area so it can properly heal.
Some outfits are designed to limit mobility for pets recovering from injuries or surgery. For example, pet recovery suits have openings for potty breaks but otherwise keep the body contained. This restricts movement of the limbs or torso while healing, without the use of bulky bandages or cones. Similarly, inflatable donut collars prevent licking or biting stitches while still allowing the cat to eat and drink comfortably.
For anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, or stress, a snug fitted shirt or Thundershirt can apply gentle pressure that helps calm cats. The sensation helps reduce nervous behavior like hiding or destructive scratching. Proper fitting is important, as it should not constrict or make breathing difficult. Monitoring the cat’s response is key.
Talk to your veterinarian for personalized advice on using clothes to aid medical conditions or recovery. With proper precautions, clothing can be a useful tool to help pets heal.
Provides Security
Cats can feel insecure or anxious in unfamiliar environments or situations. Clothing items that smell like their owner can provide a sense of comfort and security for these cats. The familiar scent acts like a security blanket, helping the cat feel less stressed.
Even for cats that aren’t especially anxious, the smell of their owner infused in the clothing helps them feel safe and reassured. It’s a reminder that their trusted human is close by. Some cat owners will sleep with a t-shirt or scarf for a night before letting their cat curl up with it during the day.
For cats recovering from injuries or medical procedures, the scents and fabrics from home can also lower stress levels in the veterinary clinic. Cats find hospital smells and environments alien, so something that smells familiar is very soothing.
Fun for the Owner
Dressing up cats can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience for cat owners. It provides a creative outlet to express affection for your feline friend. Selecting cute outfits and seeing your cat come to life in them brings great joy.
Cat clothes let owners play dress-up with their pet. Mixing and matching different outfits allows you to show off your cat’s personality. It’s exciting to find the perfect ensemble that complements your cat. You can even coordinate outfits together for some quality bonding time.
Watching your dressed-up cat strut their stuff gives owners a real sense of pride. Your cat becomes a mini model to showcase the latest cat fashions. Dressing up your cat allows you to share their charm with others. Posting photos of your sharply dressed cat online or showing them off to friends brings big smiles.
The best part is that most cats don’t seem to mind. In fact, many cats enjoy the extra attention they get from wearing clothes. As long as the outfits are comfortable, dressing up kitties can be a mutually enjoyable activity for both owner and cat. It satisfies the human urge for creativity while pampering our feline companions.
Potential Downsides
Some potential downsides exist when dressing cats in clothes. It’s important to be aware of these, even though most cats tolerate clothes just fine.
The main risk is overheating. Cats already have fur coats keeping them warm. Adding clothes on top can cause them to get too hot, especially in warmer weather. Make sure any cat clothes you buy are made of breathable, lightweight fabrics. Avoid clothes made from thick, non-breathable materials like wool. Monitor your cat when dressed to ensure they don’t seem distressed or try to remove the clothes.
Cats are also very flexible and like having freedom of movement. Clothes that are overly restrictive or tight can irritate some cats. Look for loose, flexible clothing that doesn’t hinder your cat’s ability to walk, run, jump, and play comfortably. Proper sizing is important.
While most cats won’t mind wearing clothes for short periods, they don’t enjoy wearing them for prolonged periods of time. Limit clothing to special occasions or brief play sessions rather than all day. And never force a cat to wear clothes if they seem clearly unhappy about it. Their comfort comes first.
Tips for Dressing Cats
When putting clothes on your cat, always be gentle and move slowly so as not to startle or distress them. Carefully guide each limb through the outfit and watch for any signs of agitation like dilated pupils, pinned back ears, or tense body language. Stop immediately if the cat resists and give them a break before trying again later.
It’s important to choose loose, breathable fabrics with some stretch or give to them. Avoid any restrictive outfits that could impede movement or get tangled. The clothes should not constrict or bind the cat at all. Natural fibers like cotton are ideal as they are soft and airy. Make sure the garments allow for full range of motion and don’t cover the tail or impair walking, running or using the litterbox. Any buttons, clasps or ties should be positioned safely out of reach to prevent chewing and swallowing.
The outfits should be lightweight and comfortable for the cat to wear for extended periods. Looser fits allow the cat to move, play, and go about daily activities without any impediment from their clothes. Monitor the cat while dressed to ensure the clothing isn’t bothersome. Only dress your cat for short periods until they get accustomed to wearing clothes. With patience, many cats can come to tolerate and even enjoy cute outfits.
## Conclusion
Dressing your cat in cute clothes can be a fun way for owners to bond with their beloved felines. As we’ve covered, it offers several potential benefits like warmth, cleanliness, medical aid, and entertainment. However, cat clothing also has some drawbacks to consider, like impeding movement or aggravating skin conditions.
If you want to try dressing your cat, start slowly with loose, comfortable materials. Make sure your cat can freely walk, run, and use the litterbox while wearing the outfit. Avoid constrictive collars, watches out for signs of distress, and never force a costume onto an unwilling cat. Remove any clothing immediately if your cat seems irritated. With patience and care, many kitties grow to enjoy their cute clothes and view dressing up as special playtime with their favorite humans.
The choice of whether to dress your cat cutely ultimately comes down to your individual pet’s personality and your relationship together. While cats don’t need clothes, the right outfit can be a safe way to show off your cat’s charm and have a little harmless fun. As long as your feline’s comfort, health and autonomy comes first, incorporating stylish cat clothes into playtime, holidays or photos can be a cute bonding experience for both of you.
