Many cats dislike wearing any type of clothing, so the key is to go slowly and not force a cat to wear a sweater if he really resists. “Put the head through, and then you can put the front feet in and see how the cat tolerates that,” Sikule recommends.
Watch for Signs of Stress
Some cats will tolerate wearing clothes with no problems at all (in fact, some seem to like it!), while others will freeze and flop over, hide, or even scratch and paw at their duds. If it's clear that your kitty is uncomfortable, take the clothes off.
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.
Your cat's fight or flight response is hardwired into their DNA and that cute and colorful sweater you want to put on them isn't going to change that. For your cat, clothes typically freak them out because they're strange, constricting, and restrict their movement.
According to the experts at Cats Protection, owners should avoid dressing up their cats as it can heighten their levels of anxiety — and means they can't act normally.
Think food puzzles to engage minds and bodies, vertical space for climbing and surveying their domain, scratching posts, safe outdoor access (like a catio), window perches and interactive play. “Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.”
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.
"Their [owner's] clothes often carry their scent, which in the cat world they use to recognize their owners," Dr. Murithi explained. "They would therefore prefer to lay on their clothes as they feel safe and comfortable, as they see the clothes as their own or part of their family."
To a feline's sharp senses, a Halloween costume emanates a pervasive scent that smothers ambient odours. The unfamiliar scent of a costume also masks a cat's personal smell. In a household where several animals coexist, the others can perceive the dressed-up cat as an outsider!
If you have a cat you think will wear a sweater or costume, don't just put it on them. Make it a positive experience so you don't upset them. Follow these fashion tips to respect your cat: Keep it simple: When you first start dressing up your cat, don't get them a fancy ballgown with sequence.
"Their [owner's] clothes often carry their scent, which in the cat world they use to recognize their owners," Dr. Murithi explains. "They would therefore prefer to lay on their clothes as they feel safe and comfortable, as they see the clothes as their own or part of their family."
Stressful Situation 1: Changes to Your Home
Here are some changes that often cause cats to stress: Rearranging or purchasing new furniture. Renovations and remodelling. Clutter and mess.
Corriveau says to ease their stress by starting slow when putting the garment on and giving positive reinforcement (like treats or playtime) to get them used to it. Make sure the item isn't too loose or tight, and only let the cat wear it when you can see them to make sure they can tolerate it.
For one thing, wearing a sweater could put a cat in danger of overheating. They have their fur coats for a reason, and a sweater would cause some interference, perhaps, in their normal ability to regulate their body temperature. Wearing a sweater could also impede a cat's ability to move freely, leading to accidents.
Pets have their own emotions and needs
Dressing up pets can blur the lines between the pet being an animal and being human. Anthropomorphism - which includes giving human emotions to animals - can have real benefits because it means that owners recognise that their pets have feelings and needs that must be cared for.
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
Cats are territorial creatures, and one of the ways they safeguard their turf is to scent-mark their belongings. By kneading their paws on the surface of something (yes, including you), they're activating the scent glands in their soft paw pads, thereby marking that item as theirs.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Vets believe those Santa suits or princess dresses (and even those cute little tweed coats you think are keeping them comfortable) could cause painful rubbing against a dog's skin, as well as causing them to potentially overheat and get stressed.
Though this initially may sound like a strange, abnormal behavior, it's actually quite common both in pets and humans! Often when animals experience anxiety, clothes can help to provide comfort and a feeling of safety that helps to calm them down.
Cats have many different ways to regulate their body temperature, and blocking their skin and fur with a sweater can disrupt their body's natural processes. In fact, wearing a sweater could cause your cat to overheat and potentially suffer from symptoms of heatstroke.
Signs of stressed cats can include: becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual. becoming less tolerant of people. hesitating or becoming reluctant to use the litter tray, go through the cat flap or sit on your lap.
To help keep your cat calm: Make sure your movements around her are slow and provide distractions such as treats or toys. Usually slow is fast, and fast is slow with cats. Refrain from looming over your cat, since it makes you appear larger and potentially threatening.