Instagram is full of accounts with dogs dressed up in a whole variety of (admittedly cute) outfits, and yet on each post you’ll find people commenting that dogs are dogs and they should never be dressed up. It’s tricky to know where to stand on this argument, as there are instances where putting ‘clothes’ on dogs is in their best interests, and there are also certain dogs that enjoy the attention they receive when dressed up. However, for every dog that enjoys the limelight in their new jacket, several others hate being dressed up but are put into clothes regardless.
Here we look at a few times when it’s okay to dress your dog up and a few when it is absolutely not. We’d love to hear your views on this, so we will be featuring a post on our Instagram and Facebook accounts later this month where we would love you to comment and tell us what you really think.
Times it is necessary to dress up your dog
Cold weather
Even putting dogs in jackets in cold weather can be controversial, with many claiming that dogs have their own coats and don’t need ‘artificial ones’. However, every breed is different, and certain types of coats are better able to cope with colder weather than others. A whippet, for instance, has a thin coat and very little body fat, so a jacket is likely to be necessary when temperatures are low. On the other hand, a husky is built for the snow, so putting them in a jacket would be unnecessary.
Elderly dogs and puppies are also more likely to feel the cold than a fit, active and healthy adult dog, so those at the extremes of age may also need a jacket.
To help a nervous dog
If you have a nervous dog, he may respond well to a Thundershirt or a tight-fitting doggy shirt. Tight-fitting garments have been found to have a calming effect on certain dogs. If your dog is an anxious type and you see that he benefits from wearing a doggy sweatshirt, then go ahead and dress him in one.
NOTE: Not every nervous dog will enjoy tight-fitting clothing, so don’t make any assumptions. Try the clothing and assess the results before deciding it is okay to dress your dog.
After an operation
If your dog has just had an operation, your vet may advocate using a doggy coverall or t-shirt to prevent them from fiddling with their wounds.
With a skin condition
If your dog has a nasty skin condition, grass allergy or even wound, your vet may advise using a dog jacket to help prevent further irritation. Please note that this is NOT a solution to a skin condition or allergy but simply a temporary measure to assist your dog in the short term. Skin allergies and wounds need treatment from your vet.
For a photo
If your dog is comfortable wearing an outfit for a brief photo shoot, then it is probably acceptable to do this. Some dogs do seem to enjoy the attention they receive, and in these instances, it is unlikely that dressing them up harms them. Please remember, however, that signs of dog anxiety can be pretty subtle, so don’t overlook these. If your dog shows any sign of being unhappy or anxious about the outfit, remove it immediately. It goes without saying that no photo is worth upsetting your pet!
When it is not okay to dress up your dog
If your dog is fearful
If your dog shows any signs of being scared or uncomfortable, then don’t dress them up. It is not fair to put them through this, especially considering it is only for your pleasure. Even dressing them up for a ‘short time’ for the camera is dangerous, as you could easily make your dog mistrustful of you in the long term.
If the outfit is uncomfortable
When dressing your dog, you need to ensure that the item fits. It has to be the right size and must not rub or get caught up in the legs. No cumbersome outfits should be used, and you must always make sure that the item is not causing your dog to overheat.
NOTE: Never leave your dog unsupervised in any kind of outfit or jacket.
For instances when dress-up is necessary
If a jacket or coverall is necessary for your dog for one of the reasons listed above, you must get him used to it gradually. Be sure to give them lots of delicious treats throughout this whole process. Start by placing the coat somewhere in plain view of the dog where they can investigate it of their own free will. With each session, bring the item closer and closer to the dog. Gradually move on to touching the coat on your dog’s body before finally putting the coat on for short durations. If at any point your dog becomes uncomfortable or you are moving too fast, you need to go back a step and spend more time at this stage before moving on. The goal is for your dog to associate the item with lots of treats and view it as something positive and not something they are being forced into.
Agree or disagree?
If you have a strong opinion on dress-up for dogs, we really want to hear it. Please look out for our post this month and give us your thoughts! We’d love to know where the South African dog community stands on this controversial topic.
