Is it ok to dress up my dog?
We’ve all seen those funny videos and pictures of dogs wearing silly costumes or accessories. They probably made you chuckle and maybe you’ve been thinking about dressing up your pup as well. But is it really a good idea?
There are lots of pet clothes available which are designed to make your pet look cute or funny. These outfits might cause a stir on social media but they can make your pet feel stressed or uncomfortable. There are some really important things to think about first, before buying your dog a funny outfit:
- Can they move properly? Clothes can be quite restrictive. They can get in the way when your pet tries to do normal things like walking, going to the toilet or grooming themselves. They might make your pet itchy when they’re resting. They can also stop your pet from controlling their body temperature properly, so they could get too hot. Clothes could even choke your pet if they get tangled up or caught on something.
- Is your pet stressed? Wearing clothes doesn’t come naturally to pets and it can cause them stress. Dogs might show they are stressed by licking their lips, yawning or panting.
- Can they still communicate? Communication is very important for dogs. If your dog is dressed up, other dogs might struggle to read their body language properly. This could make them act aggressively towards your dog as they could find it hard to understand each other’s body language. If your dog is already stressed from being dressed up, then they might act differently to usual around other dogs.
On the other hand, some dog clothes are really useful and help keep your pet warm, comfortable or safe:
- Winter coats or boots. A well-fitted coat on a cold winter’s day can help keep dogs with missing or very thin fur stay warm. In a small minority of dogs, sometimes special boots can protect their paws.
- Surgical vests and therapy tops. If your pet has just had an operation your vet might recommend dressing them in a surgical vest to stop them licking their stiches. Therapy tops or pressure vests can sometimes be used in addition to other aides to reduce anxiety and stress. It is important that these fit well and are not too baggy because a large vest can get tangled and stop them moving properly or slow down their recovery.
- Hi-Vis jackets. Working animals might wear a high visibility jacket to help keep them safe on busy roads or in dangerous situations. These are also useful when taking dogs on winter walks.
If your pet is comfortable and happy wearing a coat or a surgical vest there’s no reason to avoid these items of pet clothing - they could actually help your pet by keeping them safe or comfortable.
For more advice on walking your dog during the winter read this guide: How to keep your dog safe as the evenings get dark earlier - Forever Puppy