Sarah-Jane White Dogs are undoubtedly man’s best friend. People tend to shower dogs with love and adoration as if they were their children. Believe it or not, dogs do have the same needs that human kids would have.
One of these is to be dressed up in clothes because dogs look cute when they are wearing them. However, many people also consider this an affront to dog owners’ dignity. For those who agree on dressing up their dogs, below are some pros of dressing up your dog.
Pros of Dressing Up Your Dog
They look adorable
Like human babies who wear diapers and baby clothes, dogs pose a lot of cuteness wearing clothes that fit their size. Grown men find it hard not to smile when they see a dog in a pink sweater or a toy-like vest.
Dogs also have different personalities, just as humans do, so dressing them up would mean playing upon these traits by choosing garments that match their character, for example: from girly colors to tough-looking military-inspired outfits. The possibilities are endless!
Dressing Up The Dog Makes For Great Photo Opportunities
Dogs can be dressed up in all sorts of costumes for pictures – from princesses to doctors. It’s great to add funny photos into family albums that will surely have them laughing all their lives. Often, dogs would even pose naturally on a simple white backdrop without any instruction from their owners.
Dogs Benefit From Clothes In The Same Ways Humans Do
Dogs also need to wear clothes like people who wear clothes to keep themselves warm or protect themselves against the elements. So they don’t get sick from being in contact with cold surfaces such as cement and metal. No one wants to see their dog shivering because it’s too cold outside.
Wearing Clothes Also Add To Their Personalities
Many professions involve dressing people up in different costumes depending on what they do, which is why dressing up your dog can help you portray their personality, for example, a police dog, an assistant nurse, and even a superhero.
Dogs also like to feel like they are part of their family, which is why having them dress up in the same clothes as the rest of the people in your home can make them feel special and loved throughout their lives.
Dressing Up Your Dog Helps Keep Them Cleaner And Healthier
Do you know how you buy new outfits for yourself now and then to spruce up your look? Well, it’s not just for vanity reasons but because we want to present ourselves at our best throughout the year so we would be healthier and cleaner than if we didn’t take care of ourselves.
It’s similar to dogs. If their coats get “dirty,” it can lead to skin irritations or even infections which is why keeping them clean and free from parasites such as ticks and fleas should be a priority.
Dressing Up Your Dog Can Make Them Feel Like They Belong To A Specific Breed
When you dress up your dog, they tend to look like the breed they are supposed to represent, which is an excellent way for people to recognize what breed of dog it is.
For example, Chihuahuas are recognized when dressed in clothes with patterns printed on them. It helps the owners identify their dogs even easier, especially if hundreds of breeds are already there.
Dress Up Your Dogs To Keep Them Warm In The Cold
While many people consider dressing up their dogs ridiculous, there are tons of benefits that your dog can get from wearing clothes.
For example: when it’s cold outside, and you want to bring them with you on a walk, what better way is there to keep them warm than wrapping them in sweaters or jackets? Just because it doesn’t look like they need to wear something doesn’t mean they do not feel the cold.
Dressing Up Your Dog Is A Great Way To Express Yourself
Remember we talked about how we dress up according to our personality and character, right? Well, that same principle is applied here for dogs too. Dress up your dog according to your preferences, and they will look exactly like what you want them to be.
Not only is it fun, but it’s quite an enjoyable bonding activity if you are comfortable with dressing up your dog in different outfits. You can gift your dog today by visiting https://www.sparkpaws.com/collections/dog-apparel for an outstanding dog outfit.
As we have seen, there are many benefits associated with dressing up your dog with one of the gifts you have currently acquired.
Cons of Dressing Up Your Dog
However, If you’re looking for a good reason as to why dressing up your dog isn’t such a great idea, then look no further. Here are some of the Cons of Dressing Up Your Dog.
Dogs like to be comfortable too
Dogs like to be comfy just as much as we do, and when we put them in clothes or costumes, we make them uncomfortable and cranky. Not only that but there’s also the chance of possibly hurting their skin if you’ve got the costume too tight.
Since many dogs react abruptly when they’re stressed out (think anxiety, stress biting, etc.), it’s best just to leave the dog in its natural state rather than try to dress them up.
You might put your pet’s health at risk
Not only do you risk hurting your dog by dressing them up, but also there are a few diseases out there that can be transmitted to your pet from wearing clothing materials made for humans.
For example, did you know some costume material contains lead? It’s true- and if ingested (and not chewed on), it could cause significant damage such as seizures and respiratory failure.
Costumes can be dangerous
Dressing up your dog is cute and can be fun, but it’s essential to weigh all options before deciding. For example, there could be sensitive areas on your pup, such as the armpits or ears, that could get caught in something while putting on the costume or lead to other problems once you put them in an outfit.
And if this happens, it’ll only make things worse than they should already be, so always double-check for sensitive spots and watch out for your pet’s safety.
Which fabrics should I avoid when buying a jumper for my dog?
Head Vet at Tails.com Sean McCormack said, “One of the main offenders is wool. While luxurious for most humans, wool can be very irritating for dogs. Wool might seem like a good, warm choice for a dog jumper, but for pups with sensitive skin it can cause itching and discomfort.
Another fabric that might cause irritation is nylon. While nylon is a very commonly used fabric, canines who are allergic can experience itchy and inflamed skin. If your pet has toys, blankets and collars made from nylon, a jumper should also be safe.
Faux fur can be hugely itchy for certain dogs. While it is great for keeping humans warm, there is a risk of it being incredibly irritating for dogs. It could also cause dogs with thicker coats to overheat, as they are, essentially, already wearing an insulated coat.
A less obvious fabric is that of cotton blends. If an item of doggy clothing isn’t crafted from 100% pure cotton, it is usually woven with polyester or nylon – which can cause your dogs to itch.
Finally, we have feathers. If a festive costume party is on the horizon for you and your pooch, then feathers are a definite no-go. As well as presenting a potential choking hazard, feathers can be extremely irritating for dogs.
Even if feathers are not in direct contact with your dog’s skin, a jacket or coat filled with goose down could also present the same problem. Due to this, you should always check what outdoor dog clothes are stuffed with.”
What are the signs of a dog having an allergic reaction to fabric?
“If your dog is irritated or, worse, having an allergic reaction to a certain type of material, there are always signs you can look out for:
- Cuts on the skin that show a dog has been scratching
- Weeping eyes
- Excessive scratching
- Skin redness caused by scratching
- Bald patches caused by hair loss
- A runny nose
- Itchy ears
- Swelling around the face
- Sneezing
- Head shaking
- Swelling feet
If your pooch starts to present any of the more serious signs of irritation or a reaction, such as swelling, baldness, cuts or even infections, it is essential that you take them to a vet.
In order to avoid any unnecessary stress for your furry friend, we would recommend only dressing your dogs in clothes made from pure cotton. When making a decision on whether or not to dress your pooch in a festive jumper, you should always prioritise their happiness and wellbeing. Certain dogs find wearing any sort of additional clothing extremely uncomfortable and stressful, and the feeling of annoyance can be difficult to recognise.
When making the decision, check whether your dog can move freely in the clothing. The clothing should not be restricting their movement in any way – they should be able to eat, breathe, drink and visit the toilet easily.
Make sure your dog is not wearing clothing for a long period of time. If they start to show signs of distress, remove the outfit immediately.
When the heating’s on and the house is crowded, your home can become hot and uncomfortable for your dog. If your dog has a warm jumper on, they may overheat quickly. It’s important to monitor the temperature of your home and pet, if they start to display signs of overheating, including panting and salivation then it’s a clear sign your dog is uncomfortable.
It can be difficult to read your dog’s body language, but there are key signs to recognise if your pet feels irritated when wearing clothing, including; they have their tail tucked between their legs, rubbing against furniture or excessive licking.
If your pet is wearing a fun festive jumper, then they shouldn’t be left unattended near potential hazards including a fire. Check before putting a jumper on your pets that the surrounding environment can’t cause any harm to your pet, or that the clothing itself fits correctly and won’t cause injury from snagging or discomfort.”
Conclusion
Dog owners can dress their pets in outfits that are cute and practical. The downside is the expense of buying these clothes, but many dog owners find it worth it for the amusement factor alone.
There are benefits to dressing up your pet, such as keeping them warm in winter or cool in summer by ensuring they don’t overheat while walking outside or sitting still indoors. It also helps make your pup more recognizable if you happen to lose it at a crowded event like a street fair.
However, there’s no denying that most people do not want an animal dressed up as a human during Halloween (even though this has been done before). The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference, whether you enjoy seeing dogs decked out with costumes or not.
