Choosing The Right Dog Clothing

There are different styles and varieties of clothing available for your canine friend that it could prove to be too overwhelming to choose the right dog clothing. It is easy to get lost among the frills, laces, embellishments and styles. It can be tempting to purchase every pretty or cute outfit that would seem to fit your pet. However, how sure are you that you have purchased the right dog clothing? Before buying anything, you have to make sure that you are creating a worthy purchase. So, take a few minutes to study our guide for choosing the right dog clothing.

1. Know your pet well. Study about your dog breed and their typical behaviour. Do they tend to chew small things? Are they the destructive type? If so, have you properly trained them out of bad habits? If not, then you should reconsider about buying dog clothing with laces, strings, buttons, beads and other small embellishments, which might be chewed by your pet. Also observer your dog's acquired behaviours. Usually, dogs acquire a behaviour apart from their typical animal behaviour. Observe their habits, their likes and dislikes. Their clothing must match their lifestyle, habits and personality.

2. Make sure that the fabric is snag free. Your pet can easily get caught in the fabric if it is too loose. Ensure that the clothes fit perfectly, not too loose and not too tight. Check for loose threads especially at the sleeves. Your pet's nails can snag on the threads or they can get caught while trying to squeeze through tight spaces and fences.

3. Ensure that the materials are safe and non-toxic. Most dogs will chew anything they get their teeth on, especially when bored. Find out what kind of materials the accessories are made off. Does it contain any chemicals that can bring potential harm to your pet? Is there anything attached to the clothing which they will accidentally swallow and choke? Make sure that the clothing is free from any choking hazard.

4. The right dog clothing should be easy to put and take off. Choose easy Velcro closures over pullovers. Some dogs can be distressed when their heads are covered, even if momentarily. They can also suffocate if they accidentally let the attire ride up to their heads. Check if you need to take the clothes off if your dog needs to pee. It would be a hassle to pull off their clothes while your dog is doing the dirty deed.

5. The materials should be rugged and weatherproof. It should withstand prolonged exposure to the elements, especially for winter clothes and rain coats. Ideally, they should be machine washable for easy wash and wear. The clothing material should also withstand your dog's active lifestyle.

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6. Choose functionality and versatility over cuteness and fashion. Sure your dog looks like a runway model, but does all that glam serve any purpose? Does it allow for maximum mobility. Large dogs should be able to move around freely rather than hampered by unnecessary fluff. Small dogs, on the other hand, may be able to carry more accessories since they are more sedentary than large dogs. However, it would still be best to keep the accessories and fancy embellishments to a minimum. Your pet should still be able to enjoy free movement.

7. The clothes should match the season. Summer calls for light, breathable cotton t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and polo shirt. Winter requires thick coats, jackets and sweaters. If you are consider cable knit sweaters or yarn sweaters, make sure that the fabric is closely knitted together. Any loose thread can snag your pet to sharp corners and fences. Dogs with short fur or light coat can benefit from winter coats and jackets. You can pair it up with the appropriate shoes and boots in order to protect their feet from snow.

8. Invest in dog life jackets. If you are a frequent beach comber or boater and you take your pet with you, it would be ideal to buy a life jacket for your beloved pet. Even the most athletic dog can suffer from fatigue from prolonged swimming. Overweight and elderly dogs can especially benefit from dog life jackets.

9. Match your dog's outfit to the occasion. For casual outings such as a walk to the park or picnic, a functional active wear would be ideal. Make sure that the dog can move their feet freely. Also ensure that the clothes fit properly so they won't get caught under bushes and fences. Formal occasions require formal outfits. If you are bringing your pet to weddings and formal parties, make sure that they are wearing formal polo, tuxedos or dresses. Ensure that they are comfortable enough so they would not fuss or chew on their clothes. As much as possible, limit the unnecessary accessories to the bare minimum such as bow ties and ribbons.

About the Author:

Clifford Cutts is the owner of the Dog Clothing Store, where he sells clothing for dogs.

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