These Cats Couldn’t Be Less Amused

The pet apparel industry is white hot. Current statistics show the industry brings in over $5.6 million per year and is anticipated to grow to $9.5 million by 2035. With more pet parents seeing their cats and dogs as their children rather than just companions, clothing has expanded beyond Halloween accessories. It is now a year-round venture, showing no signs of slowing down.

However, not all pets enjoy being dressed up. Some rather hate it, as is often on display on social media. For example, two cats looked completely unamused by their outfits after being taken to a Christmas event. Although the two cats behaved well, their expressions—ranging from disgust to eventual despair—said it all.

Cats have no problem sharing when they are annoyed with a situation. Recently, a Reddit user posted a carousel of photos to the r/aww subreddit featuring their cats dressed up for a holiday event. Needless to say, neither of the cats was amused.

In mid-December 2025, Reddit user UngodlySockMonster posted a series of pictures featuring their two black cats. One cat was wearing a festive Christmas sweater and reindeer antlers, while its companion wore a matching sweater and a Christmas tree tiara.

“My cats went to a PetSmart party… they weren’t amused,” UngodlySockMonster explains of the situation on Reddit.

With the post garnering 40,000 views, it attracted plenty of comments. According to those who saw the pictures, the most amazing thing was not what the cats were wearing, but the fact that they were willing to stay in the shopping cart and did not jump out.

Of course, there were comments about the Christmas ensembles, with many jokingly warning UngodlySockMonster that the two are “planning a coup” or are “plotting revenge.”

UngodlySockMonster took it all in stride, promising to keep one eye open while sleeping after the cats endured the day’s shenanigans. Cats do not like being dressed up. While some may allow a breakaway collar to be worn, or some hairless breeds may tolerate a sweater during the winter, overall, cats would rather have nothing on their bodies except the fur they were born with.

The problem with dressing cats up is that it restricts their natural movements. Clothing can prevent cats from fully extending their backs, restrict their legs and cause an abnormal gait, and force their tails to be tucked instead of moving freely. In extreme cases, clothing can interfere with a cat’s proprioception—their ability to sense their movement and position in space. When this happens, cats become unstable and uncoordinated as they attempt to walk or even stand.

Many pet parents do not recognize how much their cats dislike being dressed up. As a result, people continue to dress their cats so they can be included in family activities, similar to how they would include a human baby.

Many people refer to their pets as fur babies. In fact, Gen Z considers their pets to be equals to human children. This is why cat owners want to dress their felines up. After all, human babies are always dressed when they go out—so why not cats?

Some pet parents see their cats as family members. They assign human emotions to them and want them to be involved in everything the family does. Whether it’s dressing cats up for Halloween or including them in family Christmas photos, many people see their cats as another child—or even their only child.

The problem is that cats do not necessarily enjoy the same things people do. This includes being dressed up. Despite this, there are clothes for cats for every occasion available, making the pet clothing market more profitable than ever. There are just as many clothing options for cats as there are for dogs, allowing felines to be just as fashionable as their canine counterparts.

Whether it’s full outfits or simple accessories, there are several categories of clothing for cats to suit any occasion. The most common categories of clothing for cats include:

• Everyday wear – Be it a simple t-shirt or cozy sweater, cats can be stylish in their everyday lives.
• Special occasion – Weddings and formal events sometimes have feline attendees. Celebrity cats even participate in photoshoots. It is for these very occasions that dresses and tuxedos were created for cats.
• Activewear – For cats living in colder climates and who enjoy time in the great outdoors, jackets and vests are available.
• Costumes – From Halloween to Christmas and everything in between, there are costumes sure to help cats (or their owners) feel festive.

It is essential to purchase clothing that allows cats to move freely without feeling confined. Additionally, because cats are so active, they need clothing with breakaway collars and minimal embellishments to prevent strangulation and choking.

It’s not that dogs are inherently better at wearing clothes than cats. Rather, dogs become desensitized to clothing and are motivated by the praise they receive when wearing it. For those living in colder environments, it is necessary to get dogs used to wearing clothing items to keep them warm. Dogs that tend to be colder because they are smaller breeds or have less hair also become accustomed to wearing clothing. Because of this, dogs are put in sweaters and coats from a young age.

As puppies, dogs may initially struggle with clothing or try to bite it off, but with consistent exposure, wearing clothes becomes routine. Consequently, adult dogs do not fuss about wearing clothes or costumes as they are desensitized to them.

Dogs are often praised for wearing clothing and costumes. Because they seek this praise, even dogs that dislike being dressed up may tolerate it for a short time. Cats, on the other hand, are rarely dressed in clothing or accessories from a young age—perhaps because of their size and their tendency to jump and move quickly. Whatever the reason, kittens do not establish a regular pattern of wearing clothing. Therefore, as they age, it becomes significantly more difficult for pet parents to put clothes on them, as most cats will do their best to remove them as soon as they are put on.

Most cats do not have the personality to wear clothing and will do anything to avoid it. However, there are some instances, specifically medical or because of temperatures, where wearing clothing is beneficial. It is in these situations that getting cats used to clothing becomes necessary, and if the introduction is done incorrectly, there can be negative, long-lasting consequences.

The most successful ways to get cats used to wearing clothing include:

• Introducing cats to clothing at a younger age makes it easier for them to accept being dressed.
• Start small, with a collar or the like that does not restrict movement.
• Associate accessories and clothing with positive reinforcement and treats before, during, and after their introduction to the cat.
• Start by putting on accessories and clothing for very short periods. As the cat becomes more comfortable, gradually increase the duration.
• Make sure the clothing is not too large or too small.

It is also important to remember to never leave a cat unattended in their clothing. Unlike dogs, cats are prone to jumping into high places, squeezing themselves into small areas, and making mad dashes to get away. Any of these actions can cause cats to become tangled and potentially lead to medical emergencies.

Most cats do not like wearing clothing. While pet parents may want a cute holiday or family photo, if a cat looks stressed, becomes aggressive, or lies down in defeat, it’s time to remove the clothing and let the cat be. Instead, find other ways for cats to enjoy the festivities that encourage participation, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.