Pet Cats Dress Up For Raya

By Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- As preparations for Hari Raya Aidilfitri enter the final stretch, some Muslim cat owners are going the extra mile to ensure their furry companions are just as stylish on the first day of Syawal.

From miniature baju Melayu complete with samping and songkok to colourful baju kurung, the trend of dressing cats in festive outfits is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among those who consider their pets part of the family.

For some owners, the tiny and adorable outfits are not merely accessories but a way to share the joy of Aidilfitri with their beloved pets while adding cheer to family photo sessions.

Cat owner Raziellia Nor Saafri, 35, said the idea of dressing up her pets in Raya outfits started out as a fun experiment before becoming a yearly tradition since 2023.

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“At the time, I saw many people on TikTok dressing their cats in Raya clothes. I found it interesting and thought of doing the same for all my cats,” she said when contacted by Bernama.

Raziellia owns 58 cats — affectionately referred to as her “bosses” — and their festive outfits are sewn by her mother, who takes about five months to complete them. 

“I felt it wouldn’t be fair if only one cat had a Raya outfit. So I make sure all of them have a new outfit so none will be left out. Buying new outfits for them would be quite expensive because the price is almost the same as clothing for humans,” she said.

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Raziellia usually buys 30 metres of cotton fabric at RM3 per metre, which is then cut and sewn into free-size outfits.

“Cotton fabric is more suitable because it can withstand the cats’ claws and does not get damaged as easily as fabrics such as satin or chiffon,” she said.

Despite looking cute in their Raya wear, the cats only wear them briefly while photos or videos are being taken to avoid discomfort.

“Once the photos are done, we remove the clothes immediately because the cats may feel too warm. I also don’t force all my cats to wear them... if any of them seem stressed, I won’t put it on for them,” she said, adding that she also produces Raya outfits for cats on a small scale for sale at about RM10 per pair.

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Another cat owner Athirah Lope, 28, said she enjoys dressing up her pet in festive attire. 

She said last year, she dressed her cat in an outfit costing around RM20 to RM30, complete with a miniature songkok.

“My cat looked a little confused at first, but the outfit didn’t restrict its movement,” she said.

-- BERNAMA