A decade ago, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the U.K. warned against forcing pets to wear clothing. “We’re concerned that any pet should be viewed as a fashion accessory,” a RSPCA spokesperson said at the time. “It’s quite humiliating and sends out the wrong message about pet care.”
But times certainly have changed. According to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food, whether or not dressing up a pet is harmful all depends on the animal.
“You know your pet better than anyone else, so if you think they would seem stressed or uncomfortable wearing something on their head, paws, or midsection, reconsider having them in a costume,” says Bernal.
“Some dogs and cats, on the other hand, love getting dressed up, and they’ll show visible signs of happiness like smiles, tail wags, or purrs,” she says. If you’ve noticed those signs when you put your furry friend in some new duds, then it’s absolutely fine to dress them to the nines.
Even if your pet does love wearing clothes, Dr. Bernal cautions that you should always be sure the items fit so as not to “restrict their movement or breathing.” Also, she says, it’s important to supervise your pet while in costume lest they eat the outfit and “ingest harmful materials or choking hazards.”
Ultimately, dogs and cats prefer to be naked (so to speak), but if your pet seemingly has no objections to wearing the occasional sweater or tutu, then there’s no harm in dressing them up. “If you’re staying safe and your pet is happy, there should be no problem with putting them in costume every now and then.”
