Is It Comfortable And Pleasant To Wear Clothes For Dogs?
Is dressing a dog a purely aesthetic decision, or is dog clothing really useful and sensible? And do the animals feel comfortable with it at all? These are questions that both dog owners and veterinarians often discuss.
To answer these questions, in today’s article we’re going to show you the factors that you should consider. This is a great way to ensure that dog clothes are a good choice for your own four-legged friend.
Is it comfortable and enjoyable to wear clothes for dogs? The decisive factors
First of all, you should know that dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, generally around 38 ° C. As a result, not all dogs need clothing to maintain their body temperature. Your pet’s coat, breed, and skin determine whether your pet should wear dog clothes or whether it may not be recommended at all.
In general, small dogs, puppies, and old dogs need warm clothing, especially in winter. This is because small breeds have quite a large body surface area relative to their weight, which means they lose their body heat more easily than large dogs.
How you can ensure that your four-legged friend feels comfortable wearing clothes for dogs
The most important thing to understand is the fact that under no circumstances should you force your dog to wear clothes if he does not want to. The welfare and health of the animal is always the top priority.
Therefore, you shouldn’t equip your dog with accessories just because you think they are beautiful and cute. Instead, when choosing clothes for dogs, make sure that they protect your pet from the cold and possible injury. For these reasons, we recommend that you analyze your dog’s behavior in terms of:
How you can tell whether your dog is comfortable with the dog clothes
If your dog behaves differently when wearing clothes, it is likely because they are not fully tolerating this new object on their body. However, your dog can gradually get used to the clothes. As long as you don’t put pressure on him and make him do it. You should also keep in mind that dogs do not have to cover their bodies to the same extent as humans.
Your dog’s behavior will also tell you whether he is anxious or upset. If the item of clothing in question is very large or has a lot of embellishments, the likelihood of such a reaction is usually greater. A tip to avoid this situation is to choose the outfits based on the size of your dog or to make the clothes yourself.
Other parameters that you should consider
In addition, there are other parameters that you have to consider in order to make wearing clothes for dogs more pleasant and comfortable for your pet:
- The clothing should cover the back from the withers to the base of the dog’s tail.
- You should also opt for stretch fabrics that do not restrict the freedom of movement of your four-legged friend in any way. If you buy a coat or jacket, you should make sure that they don’t have sleeves that are too long.
- In addition, you shouldn’t put shoes on your dog. This accessory is only recommended for snow or ice.
- Furthermore, you must never expose your dog to headgear! There are very few dogs who are comfortable wearing a headband, beanie, or hat as these accessories limit their hearing and eyesight.
Look out for any allergic reactions or skin irritation
Another aspect to consider is the fact that tight clothing can be harmful to your dog’s skin. This is why it is so important that the clothes are not too big or too small. If you buy clothes for dogs or want to make them yourself, it is therefore recommended that you know the exact body measurements of your dog. This is because you can prevent the clothes from injuring the skin or causing small burns.
The material of the dog clothes determines how comfortable the animal feels and how comfortable he feels with it overall. Wool can keep your dog warm, but most of the time it will also be itchy. Cotton clothing is also not unconditionally suitable as it takes longer to dry. So if you want to take your dog for a walk that may get wet or take a bath, it would be better to avoid wearing cotton clothing.
You should also be careful not to let the zippers on the garment injure the dog’s skin while he is moving. Otherwise, cuts can occur that can become infected if they are not cleaned and cared for in a timely manner. To avoid allergic reactions from your dog, it is recommended that you try the substance on your dog a few hours beforehand to see how he reacts to it and whether he is comfortable with it or not.
Clothes for dogs: only in moderation and only if your pet feels comfortable in it!
Finally, you should be careful not to buy your dog excessive clothing. A couple of outfits are perfectly adequate. Always remember that your dog has different needs than a human. The top priority must always be that he can move freely in his dog clothes and feels comfortable.
