Buying Dog Clothing: Keeping Your Pet Safe and Fashionable

When most people think about dog clothing, images of Hollywood celebrities and purse size dogs come to mind. It can even make you think of small dogs as a “fashion accessory” as opposed to a family pet. After all, fashion has become big business for dogs. Doggie apparel now comes in a variety of colors, styles and price ranges to suit every taste and budget.

However, dog clothing serves a greater purpose than fashion for dogs – especially small dogs, dogs with thin coats or builds, and older pets. Theses accessories can protect your pet from the elements and keep them safe by preventing illness due to the changes in weather and temperature. Even though this apparel can look adorable, choosing poorly fitted dog apparel or accessories can be dangerous and even fatal.

From collars and harnesses, to clothing and booties – sizes will vary between manufactures. So how do you choose the proper size dog apparel?

Take Several Measurements:

• Circumference of the neck and chest
• Length of the back. Start measuring from the middle of the neck to the base of the tail

If you find a garment that is barely big enough to fit your dog, choose the next size up. Buying dog clothing that fits too tightly will hinder your pets’ movement and rub the skin and fur. You should be able to run two fingers comfortably around the seams of the outfit to prevent rubbing and chafing.

Choose your pets dog clothing based on the climate. Dogs with short fur and small dogs are more sensitive to rain and colder climates. Specific dog apparel has been created that is water repellant that can keep your pet dry during these situations. However, these garments should be avoided in normal and warmer weather.

Always check to make sure the apparel you buy is durable by checking the seams and construction. Items can look cute on your dog, but if it falls apart while it is being worn it can be potentially dangerous to your pet.

Also beware of lace, ties, strings, bells, bows, gems and other decorative accessories on an outfit. These items can be tempting to play with or chew on. If your dog is overly active, tends to chew or be overly curious you may want to think twice before you buy some dog clothing. These items can easily pose a choking hazard to your dog.

Many “fashionable” dog harnesses are decorated with gems, bows or other accessories. While they may look adorable, they are generally unsafe for your pet. They are generally not sturdy in construction or can pose a choking hazard if the decorations fall off and are swallowed.