Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat, poses for photos donned in cat pyjamas at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
A biting cold and rainy season has seen Kenyans rushing to buy umbrellas, chunky sweaters, and boots. But it is not just humans bundling up. As temperatures drop, another fashion trend is picking up pace: cats in coats, dogs in hoodies, and even rain boots. While many people see pet clothing as a cute accessory, for devoted pet parents this cold season, it is a matter of comfort and necessity.
Stores that sell pet clothes are seeing a spike in sales, with demand rising steadily since early April. The store owners say that all signs point to even busier months ahead as we approach the coldest stretch of the year in June and July.
At Urban Pet Store in Nairobi's Central Business District, Nation Lifestyle met Faith Wanderi who says that the cold and rainy period is the peak season for many pet stores selling pet clothes.
“In January, when it was very hot we would barely get 10 orders for pet clothes but right now in a day, we have about 20 orders. Many pet owners who are coming in and reaching out to us through social media are buying warm clothes. There has been an increase in demand for warm pyjamas, ponchos, windbreakers, hoodies and bath robes,” Ms Wanderi, the sales manager tells Lifestyle.
Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat, poses for a photo donned in a cat dress at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
At the store, we find "Mia", their Norwegian Calico Forest Cat dressed in a unicorn woolen sweater. With the cold, Mia looks very warm and comfortable.
“We have had to be creative and get a variety of clothes. Even if it is the cold season, pet owners still want their pets to look classy,” Emelda Wamaitha, the assistant manager at the store says, adding that now they are maximising on social media to get more clients.
Cat clothes
Besides covering them during the cold season, she says, “People also dress up their pets so that they do not shed too much fur on their seats. The majority of the pet owners who are looking for pet clothes are those who live in very cold areas. I have seen an increase in the number of cat owners buying clothes for their cats. For a long time, people only thought to dress up their dogs. Now we also have people asking for clothes for their pig pets and ducks.”
From left: Pet lovers Emelda Wamaitha and Faith Wanderi dress Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
Ms Wanderi says that the range of price for the pet clothes is between Sh550 and Sh800. She says that the trick is to import the pet clothes in bulk that way you can sell them at a cheaper price. A quick run through other pet stores shows a similar price range for many of the pet clothes.
Crotcheting pet clothes
Amanda D’Souza has always crotcheted clothes for her furry companions and during this cold season, she is spending more time crotcheting warm sweaters for her four cats.
“My cats are mostly indoors but I tend to take them out for walks often. With this weather, I have to dress them up in warm sweaters as we go out in the morning and evening. I enjoy making clothes for also my friends who have pets. It only takes one ball of yarn so it is not very expensive. Many times when I am walking, I have people staring at me wondering why a cat is wearing clothes,” she says.
Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat, poses for a photo donned in a cat pyjamas at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
The judgement
In Kenya, animal welfare is slowly picking up pace. However, there are still people who get very judgemental of pet owners who tend to do extra for their pets.
“When I dress my cats up, some people assume that it is cruelty but for me, I am looking at it as me just trying to keep them warm during this cold.”
Dr Dennis Maube, a veterinary surgeon at Small Five Vet Clinic in Nairobi, says there is no definite answer to whether or not to dress a pet; it all depends on several factors.
Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat, poses for a photo donned in cat pyjamas at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
“Dogs have their natural way of controlling body temperature and their body is often covered with fur. The fur is already providing natural insulation making the dressing up sometimes unnecessary and uncomfortable, especially for the dogs with thick fur. For instance, the Golden Retrievers which have very long fur, Long Coat German Shepherds and Huskies. These dogs are originally from cold climates and brought into tropical regions. They already have long fur and adding the extra clothing can be uncomfortable. However, some dog breeds with very thin fur such as Chihuahuas and Greyhounds, might need some clothing for extra warmth. If you must dress your pet, let it be for a short period,” he says.
He, however, cautions that pet clothing can sometimes cause skin irritation and some curious pets might end up eating their clothes. I have done surgery on a dog that had swallowed its socks and they were stuck in the stomach.
Mia, a 7-month-old Norwegian Calico cat, poses for a photo donned in a cat pyjamas at Urban Pet Shop along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
Dr Maube says that pets use the skin to sweat.
"When you dress pets up and they sweat, there will be moisture build-up. This results in fungal infections and allergies. Your pet can also develop eczema,” he adds.
Dr Maube urges pet owners to ensure that they dress up their pets after washing them and to always consider the clothing material. He says, “The cloth material should be non-toxic. Wool and cotton are good clothing materials to use. Go for hypoallergenic fabrics. Further, ensure that the clothing fits properly and is not too tight. Dressing of pets should not be about human preferences but about the well-being of the pet. If you are unsure about dressing your pet, always consult a vet especially if the pet has underlying health issues.”
