{"id":636552,"date":"2024-08-12T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=636552"},"modified":"2024-08-30T11:38:17","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T15:38:17","slug":"why-i-avoid-putting-clothes-on-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/felines-weekly\/why-i-avoid-putting-clothes-on-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting Clothes on Cats: Why I Avoid It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, I\u2019m Christopher!\u00a0Read my introduction<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dressing up cats and dogs is a common practice, and if you\u2019re the lucky owner of a successful feline or canine influencer, it\u2019s pretty lucrative. Sometimes, it\u2019s more entertaining to view photos and videos of animals than ones with humans, and I\u2019ll admit that a Bulldog dressed like a biker in the 1950s is amusing.<\/p>\n

However, animals are not free to choose whether they want <\/i>to wear clothes<\/a>. Some don\u2019t seem uncomfortable, but most, even the ones featured in online ads for pet products, look sad and irritated. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s cruel to dress up pets for photos or special occasions as long as they only wear the clothes for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Pet Fashion<\/h2>\n

Several photos are hilarious, but I don\u2019t like seeing painted horses, turtles, or pets that look miserable. I don\u2019t dress my cat because I think Olga is attractive enough without wearing apparel, and I prefer not to have my arms torn to shreds. Since it took her a while before she even allowed me to pick her up, I doubt she would want an ushanka or beret on her head.<\/p>\n

While I understand the entertainment value of fully clothed felines, I\u2019ve never understood why some people are so fascinated by them. The pet apparel industry is booming, and several pet owners think making their cats look fashionable is essential, which is what the industry tries to promote.<\/p>\n

\"Can
Can I go outside and play with the birds?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Costume Issues<\/h2>\n

Winter jackets and other cold-weather gear<\/a> are needed when walking pets in frigid conditions, and they\u2019re usually designed to fit the animal\u2019s anatomy. On the other hand, commercial pet costumes, especially those for Halloween, are designed to amuse rather than fit comfortably. They make cats look cartoonish or like injured, unhappy creatures with ill-fitting clothes.<\/p>\n

It may seem okay to annoy our felines for a few hours on Halloween, but cats can be creepy without costumes, and they\u2019ve always been associated with the holiday.<\/a> They don\u2019t need a Dracula robe or Michael Myers mask to look or act like psychopaths. They\u2019re naturally insane and more expressive when not burdened by poorly made fabrics.<\/p>\n

\"Being
Being a cat is hard work!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Olga\u2019s Natural Style<\/h2>\n

I enjoy watching Olga when she\u2019s energized and clownish, and wearing clothes would only slow her down. She\u2019s au natural in holiday pictures<\/a> and isn\u2019t wearing a Santa hat or ugly sweater. She\u2019s following my fashion trends; I\u2019ve been accused of being a humbug for not wearing festive gear.<\/p>\n

Some cat owners want their cats to look like them, and goofy clothing helps them achieve that, but I\u2019ve never wanted Olga to look like me. I would have to shave her head, spray-paint her fur, and give her a fake beard. Those inhumane actions would result in a comical-looking cat, but she wouldn\u2019t be happy or as pretty as before.<\/p>\n

The only appropriate attire for Olga is a blood-stained butcher\u2019s apron because of her slicing and dicing skills, but I wouldn\u2019t force her to wear one, even for a laugh.<\/p>\n

This article is a part of Christopher and Olga's series.<\/div>
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