Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Cute cat Halloween costumes for every feline

PawTracks
By

Hear the word “Halloween,” and your mind immediately starts thinking of carved pumpkins, bags of chocolate, and festive costumes. People often look into Halloween costumes for their dogs so they can dress them up for the holiday. But what about cats? Are there cat costumes out there? Of course! Why should our feline friends miss out on the fun?

Considerations for cat costumes

Unless you have a hairless breed of cat, odds are your cat hasn’t spent much time in clothing. That makes shopping for a cat costume a little trickier. Not impossible, though. If you’re willing to take some time with the process, you’ll find Halloween costumes for pets that’ll suit your feisty feline.

  • Measure twice: Halloween costumes for pets aren’t always specific to cats — some work for cats OR dogs. Look over the measurement guidelines carefully so your cat doesn’t feel squashed or end up drowning in their new costume.
  • Fabric choice: Cats love to slink and stretch. You want fabrics that let them enjoy their natural movements. Cotton and cotton-polyester blends have the most give of any materials and make the best cat costumes.
  • Watch the head: Many Halloween costumes for pets feature headpieces. They’re adorable, but you don’t want to obstruct your cat’s whiskers. Remember, those whiskers help your cat sense the world around them.
Recommended Videos

Dressing a cat in a costume

If you’ve never placed an outfit on your cat before, Halloween may present a new experience — for both of you. It’s essential to observe your cat’s body language during the costuming process. Negative responses indicate that it’s time to remove the cat costume and give your cat a break:

  • Flattened ears
  • Hissing
  • Lashing tail
  • Swatting

You may also see your cat stiffen up and fall flat on the floor. (Amusing and alarming all at once!) The reaction’s normal for cats combatting a new “threat.” As your cat adjusts to the cat costume, they’ll get up and start moving. Provide reassurance and cat treats, and they’ll learn the outfit isn’t out to get them.

Cute cat Halloween costumes

There ARE cats out there who are old pros at wearing clothes. Hairless breeds — such as the sphinx and devon rex — need outfits to protect them from dropping temperatures. Their owners have no problem breaking out Halloween costumes for their pets.

Other cats aren’t as sure about outfits. You’ll need to go slow as you introduce the different elements of the cat costume (or choose a more minimal option). You know your cat best, and you know what they’ll tolerate.

Full-body cat costumes

If your cat tolerates clothing without a second thought, you have every kind of Halloween costume for pets at your fingertips.

Want to transform your cat into a dragon? No problem! They’ll be the cutest little Nightfury on the block.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Front-leg cat costumes

Most cats aren’t the biggest fans of wearing an entire ensemble. However, they aren’t opposed to front-leg style Halloween costumes for pets. There aren’t as many restrictions on their movements, and they look adorable. It’s the perfect compromise.

Pirates never go out of style. Even if your feline darling decides they don’t want to tolerate the included hat, you’ll get the perfect swashbuckling look.

Cowboys are another famous icon that remains permanently popular and cute. You’ll recognize the cowboy with or without the10-gallon hat, allowing your cat the comfort they may request.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Minimal cat costumes

Let’s face it: Most cats aren’t wild about wearing Halloween costumes. It doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to excluding the felines from the family Halloween portrait, though. The market provides plenty of simple cat costumes even grumpy cats tolerate without a second thought.

Does your cat wear a harness? Simply attach a set of bat wings and your cat costume’s complete! Your cat looks adorable, and they’re not struggling with anything around their legs.

Non-costume options

Of course, some cats put the brakes on even the most minimal cat costumes. You can still let your four-legged friends in on the Halloween festivities. Swap out their collar or harness for one featuring a Halloween motif.

Or you can always set up your carved pumpkin or another piece of your Halloween decor near them while they’re napping for a quick photo-op. It’s not precisely a cat costume, but it’ll make a great addition to the family scrapbook.

Feline Halloween costumes

Cats aren’t always the easiest to incorporate into the costume frenzy at Halloween. You may need to invest a little more time on desensitizing them to their cat costume. Or you might need to find the most minimal Halloween costume for pets on the market. It is possible to include your felines in the fun with a little work, though, if you’re patient.

It isn’t spooky cat season for nothing!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
PawTracks
How to cat-proof your balcony before the unthinkable happens
Tips to keep your kitty safe while on the balcony
Cat sitting on a sunny balcony railing

It's tempting to spend some time outside with your cat whenever the weather is nice, and taking your cat outside can give him a nice break from indoor-only life. If you love to spend time on your balcony, it's natural to consider letting your cat join you, but balconies can be dangerous for cats. In addition to the potential for a fall, balconies have several other risks that you might not be aware of. Understanding how to cat-proof a balcony can help you to make the space safer, so you and your cat can spend a little time outside together.

Will a cat jump off a balcony?
Balconies can be very dangerous for cats because of the possibility of "high-rise syndrome." Always Compassionate Veterinary Care explains that high-rise syndrome refers to the occurrence of cats falling out of high-rise buildings and needing veterinary treatment. The term originates when the Animal Medical Center in New York City treated more than 100 cats who fell out of high-rise windows. That occurred during just five months in the 1980s and highlights the fact that cats can and do fall out of high structures.

Read more
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon mix (and why you should care)
Should you consider a Maine Coon mix? Here's what you need to know
Closeup of a Maine Coon's face

There are plenty of big and fluffy cats out there, but one of the best-known breeds fitting this description is the Maine Coon. These cats are not only impressive in size, but they also tend to have fantastic personalities that make them beloved family pets. While purebred Maine Coons are a little more uncommon in rescues and shelters, it's possible to adopt a Maine Coon mix that still has some of the breed's distinctive characteristics.

While telling exactly which breeds your cat is can be a little tricky, it's worth doing some investigative work to better understand your feline's background and what that might mean for the care he needs during his life.
Where do Maine Coon cats come from?
You may have heard that the Maine Coon Cate originated from a fantastical cross between a feline and a raccoon. Of course, this didn't really happen, but it could be where they get the name. (Another option, from a ship's captain who brought the first of these kitties ashore.)

Read more
There’s a totally normal reason cats throw up after eating grass – here’s why
Learn about this cat behavior and if there's cause for concern
Calico cat lying on its back in a grassy yard

If your cat throws up after eating grass, there's probably no reason to be concerned. Eating grass is a natural behavior for most cats, and throwing up after eating that grass also is pretty common. There are physical reasons for why your cat throws up grass, and aside from dealing with the inconvenience of having to clean up cat vomit in the house, this behavior usually isn't a problem.

But excessive vomiting and unusual grass consumption can be a cause for concern. If your cat likes to munch grass, then it's best to familiarize yourself with what's normal and what might be a reason to worry.

Read more