How to Calm a Cat Scared of Costumes or Masks
Halloween is a great time for us humans, but for cats (and many other pets), it can be terrifying. The holiday is full of unfamiliar scents, sounds, shapes and creatures, all of which can catch even the most confident feline off guard.
Cats love routine, and they rely heavily on their senses and ability to recognize faces to determine whether a situation is safe or not. Costumes and masks both hinder your look and smell – which can put undue stress on a feline. To them, there is someone new in the house, and you are nowhere to be found.
Cat instincts tell them to be cautious around anything unfamiliar, so don’t be surprised if your kitty runs for their favourite hiding spot while you or anyone else in the house is in costume.
How to Help Your Cat Feel Safe
Introduce Costumes Gradually: If you’re dressing up at home, let your cat see and sniff your costume before you wear it. Lay it on the floor or a chair where they can explore it at their own pace and avoid forcing interactions. Cats are curious creatures and will make their way over to it eventually. It’s better to let them feel like they discovered it than associate it with anything negative.
Use a Calm Voice and Familiar Scents: When you finally put on your costume, talk to your cat gently so they recognize your voice. If your costume covers your face, remove the mask around them a few times to show it’s still you underneath. You may also consider letting the costume sit in your laundry bin briefly, just so your cat will be able to pick up a familiar scent.
Give Them a Quiet Safe Space: As with any event or major change at home, we always suggest making sure your cat has access to a quiet space. When guests are around, in costume, and making noise, your cat will need to be able to retreat somewhere they don’t feel threatened. When getting it set up, remember quiet is key, but so is cozy. Include some of their favourite blankets or pillows as an added layer.
Avoid Picking Them Up When They’re Frightened: When a cat feels intimidated or threatened, the last thing they want is to be touched. If your cat freaks out when they see you in costume, do not pick them up. That is an easy way to get attacked. A better approach would be to remove part of the costume, if possible, speak softly, or just retreat to another room to stop scaring them.
A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way: Remember: your cat doesn’t understand what Halloween is. To them, the world seems to have gone crazy, and everything is different. As creatures of habit, it can be quite overwhelming. As their owners, it’s our duty to figure out what to do when they are frightened and provide a calm, safe environment.