Also you can’t just leave your toddler at home when you go out for dinner, or drop your kid off with a boarding facility when you want to go on vacation
Yeah that’s not an option for many people.
Not everyone’s parents are reliable, still alive, willing to watch the kids, and conveniently nearby. You kinda need all four.
People dress their kids up in silly costumes all the time with minimal to no repercussion. The kids also probably like it more than a cat would in most cases.