Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Does Your Dog Wear Clothes?

Good morning blog. I am concerned about the cold when we take Bailey outdoors to do his business.

The winter weather in Texas has been ultra icy cold air and that brought out Bailey's jacket.

Bailey has a few big dog apparel and I for one am happy. The cold lasted about a week and came just before grocery day.

We couldn't get the car out of the garage and food ran low. That's okay because we can always find something in the pantry, but Bailey almost ran out and pantry food was not good enough for him. My honey had to hike it to the corner drug store to get food for Bailey.

The cold outside got us thinking about keeping warm. Thanks to the State, we had rolling blackouts. I mean no electricity. We were lucky that we had a jacket for Bailey.

I had bought the jacket nearly a year ago. It's a lot like the typical sweater you see for puppy dogs. He had a doggie t-shirt, too, but that wore out.

I think its thoughtful to put clothes on dogs, but we don't do it on a regular basis because Bailey is a very big dog. Most people only put clothes on small dogs.

Here's my thoughts on dogs and clothes...

Some dogs are naturals for dressing up, and some people like their "babies" to look like humans. Dressing them up is an extension of their love for them. There are, however, practical reasons to consider apparel, as well.

Aside from how cute dogs look, [yes] there are often practical reasons to get dog clothing.  Dogs that have undergone medical treatments that result in the loss of fur often need at least some temporary protection from the elements until their fur grows back. This also applies to dogs who have been shaved.

People who live in severe winter climates should keep in mind -- that even though their pet -- has fur, the dog may need protection from the outdoor elements when they spend most of their time indoors... because like people, dogs acclimate to their indoor surroundings.

Short-haired dogs are almost bald on the chest and belly, so be sure to select garments that cover the lower portions of their body, as well as the top. Most dogs don't enjoy the rain, and if your dog spends most of his time indoors, you probably don't enjoy the musty odor or the mud. With a rain slicker, all this can easily be avoided.

Polar fleece is also a good protective fabric; it insulates and keeps the dog warm while drawing moisture away from the skin. Booties are good for dogs in snow, ice and rain.

Booties are also outstanding for dogs when they go hiking with you in rugged terrain. In cases of extreme heat, booties help protect a dog's pads from hot ground surfaces.

Remember that while a dog's pads are less sensitive than our own feet, they are still sensitive to extreme temperatures.

While people might not think about the summer as a time to use apparel, a dog that has been shaved or suffers from hair loss may need additional protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Hats and sunglasses offer protection from UV rays, as well.

Bailey has his own comfy jacket just for the cold. He is warm and cozy... with a full tummy. How did your dog handle the cold winter days?

That's it, blog. Have a happy day.