Whilst dressing up your pet in clothes is cute as a concept, it is unlikely they enjoy it - of course there are exceptions - but most pets just aren’t fussed about wearing anything and would rather just stay as they are. Realistically, would you like to be stuffed into a cheap shirt just to be laughed at whilst someone takes photos of you?
Animals may not be able to speak, but it's still clear when a pet is uncomfortable...
It feels like everyday I open TikTok I see a small dog screaming in some sort of cheap, polyester costume, yet there is no rush to take it off them. Animals may not be able to speak, but it's still clear when a pet is uncomfortable: signs like aggressive behaviour and just simply acting unlike themselves show you whether or not to keep going with the ‘outfits’.
Of course there are exceptions, some dogs have been found to be comforted during thunderstorms by wearing clothes. Also, there are boots made for pets so they can walk outside without damaging their paws. These are simply practical uses for clothes on pets but there’s also animals who enjoy it. Some pets will happily wear a costume and match you and that’s that, it is very much case-by-case for pets.
It would be easy to argue that clothes on pets in unethical towards the animals, and also that it’s a clear case of overconsumption, but it is more complex than that; it totally varies from animal to animal. One cat might screech at the idea of wearing a coat whilst another would embrace it. I think the main thing is to just understand your pet and look for the cues for if they’re uncomfortable.