A recent survey conducted by vets has revealed that 80% of pet owners love to dress up their dogs. Even though this might be cute or trending for some people, others find it very concerning. Nowadays, there’s a question arising whether people should stop dressing their pets.
Well, the question about the dress code is not a simple one and cannot be answered with yes or no. It depends on the breed, situation, and the ability to understand your pet. For instance, if your dog had a surgery and has to be under more protection than usual, coating him would be a great solution for cold temperatures. This is one of the situations where you’re actually required to dress up the pet.
Dressing Up Your Dog Due to Cold Weather
This is one of the main and most valid reasons why people buy dog clothes. It, of course, all depends on the case. Breed, size, and age are three main things that should be taken into consideration when deciding if your dog needs a sweater or not. If you have a pet with light-coating fur, there’s a chance that it can’t stand up to freezing climates. This is the moment when you should consider buying your dog a sweater or a jacket.
Although it may be unpleasant for some dogs, smaller breeds with less fur might actually find wearing clothes very comfortable. Other cases when you should consider dressing up your dog are when, for example, the dog is old or becomes sick. This way, they’re more protected from the coldish weather that can harass their state.
When dressing up your dog, be sure not to use accessories that can be bitten off. This can cause the pet to choke and you don’t want to harm it in any way. If you’re going for some boots, make sure that the animal is comfortable with them. These are great for salted icy sidewalks. Not only will they protect your dog from the cold that’s affecting his paws, but will also save him from potential harm as well.
Note: Have in mind that some breeds have extra layers of fur that will protect them during cold weather. These breeds can find it uncomfortable to wear extra layers, as it can cause overheating.
Your Dog Loves Spending Time with You
This is the case when your dog will be excited about clothing. If you’re followed around by your pet, it’s possible that it wants to do all the things you’re doing. This is how you know that the dog won’t be bothered by dressing up, as it sees that you’re wearing clothes also.
Sometimes, dogs just enjoy the attention they’re getting. This can be the main reason why some of them love wearing costumes.
However, dogs are pretty good at expressing their emotions. There are some common reactions that can clearly show you if your dog is okay with the new coat. Usual reactions when the pet doesn’t want any clothing are:
- Freezing in a place
- Rolling over
- Shaking, trying to dislodge the garments
Regardless of the reason, if a dog feels uncomfortable when wearing clothes, you shouldn’t force it at all.
Showing Off the Dog’s Personality
Dressing up your dog can be a very fun way of spending time with him. To spice it up, you can always choose to dress up the dog according to its temperament.
There are various costumes that can breathe out dog’s mentality. If he’s smart, you can come up with some ideas that will represent him in that light. If he’s tough you can attach something that would represent shackles around its legs. There’s a bunch of fun ways to express your creative side by adjusting the costumes, as long as you dog doesn’t mind.
Having your dog everywhere with you can make you think about how it would be to wear matching outfits. Everyone is familiar with the “like owner, like dog” principle. So, this can be a pretty fun way of materializing that sentence. Just make sure that your dog is comfortable with the outfit.
Anxiety Vests
Not only that clothing can keep your dog warm, but it can also help with anxiety. Vests like Thundershirt can reduce the anxiety for some dogs when a thunderstorm arrives. With a snug-fitting vest, a lot of dogs will feel comfortable and safe. Just make sure to pick one that best suits your pet.
Clothing Can Inhibit Communication between Dogs
If you have a tendency to buy costumes for your dog, there’s a possibility that you’re making it harder for your pet to communicate with other dogs.
Dogs are animals that have the power to communicate by body language. Therefore, covering their whole bodies with costumes can certainly make it harder for them to be understood. Since body language is an integral part of dog’s communication, this can represent a con of dressing them up.
There’s a possibility of further issues that can occur in these cases. For instance, if your dog is having troubles to communicate and be understood, it may affect their mental state. Eventually, they can lose the ability to effectively communicate when they acknowledge that it serves no purpose.
Irritated Skin
Coats and jumpers can look very cute on some pups, but they can also harm their skin. It is because of the constant rubbing against the costume since dogs are always active. According to vets, these are the three most common skin complaints in dogs:
- Atopic Dermatitis (Chronic skin disease associated with allergies.)
- Otitis (an Inflammatory disease in the external ear canal)
- Allergies (As a result of fleas)
The real concern behind this is caused by a survey which was conducted by vets. The survey showed that only 58 percent of people would take their pet to a vet in order to assess the skin condition. The other 42 percent are more willing to try the treatment on their own.
Dressing Up Dogs Can Cause Stress
If you’re willing to put some clothing on your dog, make sure to track its emotions. It may be fun, but dogs sometimes can be unaware of things that may bother them. Even if they stand still while you’re making a fashion revue, it doesn’t mean that they like the costume. It can only mean that they respect you as their owner and are willing to believe in your decisions.
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