“Fur moms” and jackets, oh my: On dressing up dogs
The other day I woke up to a few unkind comments on my post about handling emotions when approached by off-leash dogs. (See below for a laugh.)
While I wasn’t bothered by the anonymous insult—I’m happy with the balance we’ve been able to find in our online communication, and it wasn’t even related to my blog’s content—the comment did get me thinking about why so many people see dressing up our dogs as a horrible thing.
In many “serious” dog training circles, pet clothing has become associated with irresponsible ownership. But garments like jackets and boots can also serve practical, valid purposes for our dogs. And is it really a crime to enjoy things just because they’re “cute” sometimes, so long as we make sure our pets are comfortable?
Here’s a dive into my personal thoughts on dog clothing!
TLDR takeaways
It’s possible to dress our dogs up in ways that make them uncomfortable. Before putting any sort of clothing on our pets, we should consider if they enjoy it. If they don’t? We should ask ourselves if the the other benefits are worth it and then work to condition a positive association.
Dog clothing can serve many functional purposes. (Yes, even the really cute kind.) Just because canines can tolerate a wide range of climates doesn’t mean they’re comfortable. What’s “natural” isn’t always “ideal”. Think about all the things we humans do to better adapt ourselves to the surrounding environment!
Dog owners are also allowed to enjoy things just because. Not everything in life has to be completely practical. (That world would be so boring.) There’s nothing wrong with putting our dogs in a fun sweater or jacket that makes us smile—provided we keep their wellbeing top of mind.
When can dog clothing be problematic?
While Scout does wear a sweater on occasion, I can understand some of the negative connotations with “people who dress up their dogs”. Here are some potential issues with pet clothing—especially when it’s designed more for the humans than the animals themselves.
Forcing our dogs into clothes can make them uncomfortable
Physical discomfort due to decreased range of movement, temperature, etc
Some clothing restricts our dogs’ natural movement. This is uncomfortable in the moment—no one likes to feel trapped!—and frequent wear might even contribute to long-term problems like gait issues down the line.
Many dogs have double coats that work to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If we have our pets wear clothes when the weather is hot, we limit air flow to their skin and can increase the chance of them overheating.
Speaking of skin, some dogs struggle with recurring hot spots or other irritation. Covering affected areas with fabric might make these problems worse depending on the condition and climate.
Certain types of clothing—especially costumes like those advertised for Halloween or other holidays—can be too heavy or bulky for smaller dogs to wear happily. Pets who already have mobility issues or aging joints might particularly struggle.
Many dogs simply don’t enjoy the sensation of wearing clothing. It’s perfectly normal for pets to dislike tight garments or those that cover ears, eyes, or other sensitive areas.
Mental and emotional discomfort
Even if a piece of clothing feels physically okay on our dogs’ bodies, they might still be nervous if they’ve never worn anything before.
Many pets don’t like putting their heads through small spaces (like sweater openings).
Some clothing can make sounds that might be startling to our dogs. This is especially true of costumes with pieces that drag on the ground. The sensation of being “chased” by a threat they can’t escape is stressful. (This is similar to the problem with dropping an unlocked retractable leash.)
If we don’t take the time to positively condition our dogs’ clothing—at their own pace—they might feel forced into it. This can not only erode their trust in us as handlers but also create conflicting emotions, particularly if they know that a certain jacket or sweater is the only way to go on a walk.
Cute outfits tend to draw a lot of attention out in the world. Confident, social dogs might be completely unbothered by increased requests to say hello! But their more fearful counterparts could struggle with strangers trying to baby talk or touch them.
Some types of clothing can encourage unproductive anthropomorphism
I also think it’s possible for “dog dress up” to negatively affect the people on the other end of the leash. While humans and dogs share many traits as social mammals, it’s important to remember that our pets aren’t just furry little people.
I’ve become a big believer in a thoughtful balance of both anthropomorphism and anthropodenial rooted in research about what it means to be a dog.
If an owner struggles to keep their mind straight about who their companion is deep down (a canine with deeply ingrained natural instincts) then cutesy pet clothing has the potential to make things messier. Dressing our dogs to look more like human babies can make us more likely to treat them as such! This is one area in particular where I’ve seen the “fur mom” term take on a negative connotation in the dog training community.
(You can hear more about my thoughts on comparing kids to dogs in this podcast episode and the following Instagram caption.)
Basically: If we think we’ll blur the line between person and dog, it might be the best option to stay away from some non-necessary clothing. I know many owners who love dressing up their dogs with no issue respecting them as canines and fulfilling their biological needs. I’ve also encountered some people who could benefit from further separation on that front. Nuance and individuality, as always!
When does dressing up our dogs have a functional purpose?
All that said: There are plenty of important reasons people choose to put jackets, boots, goggles, and more on their dogs. This isn’t a comprehensive list—if you think of others, feel free to send them my way!—but a few situations come readily to mind.
Cold weather (especially temperature shocks)
Just because canines can tolerate a range of temperatures doesn’t mean it’s comfortable for them. Yes, our pets have fur coats. But no, that doesn’t make them invincible!
This is particularly true when we rapidly bring our dogs from one environment (like our heated homes) into another (like a Midwest winter). That temperature shock can be a lot for anyone, regardless of species.
Different dog breeds thrive in different climates. Some pets have incredibly short hair (or almost no hair at all) and are at risk of hypothermia if they’re exposed to the elements for too long. While a husky probably doesn’t need a jacket—my parents’ dog is thrilled to curl up outside even when it’s below freezing—many others do best with an extra layer of protection.
Our pets can also get accustomed to certain environments. When we lived in Wisconsin, Scout handled the cold reasonably well. Since moving to Florida, though? She’s far more sensitive to the cold weather! (I like to joke that we’ve all gone soft 😂) I’m happy to help her out with a jacket when we head home to visit family.
Hot weather or direct sunlight
Some dogs wear cooling vests so they can stay more active on warm days.
Other pets have sensitive skin that requires protection from the sun. Lightweight UV-blocking material can make outdoor adventures safer without the need to reapply sunscreen (or worry about it being licked off).
Goggles like Rex Specs can keep our dogs’ eyes safe just like our own sunglasses do. This might be especially important in bright, reflective environments like the snow or beach.
Many service animal teams employ protective footwear when going on midday outings, especially to places like amusement parks where the pavement can quickly reach dangerous temperatures.
Road salt and other dangerous terrain
Paw pad balms and wax (like Musher’s Secret) are enough to do the trick for some dogs (that’s usually all we put on Scout before going outside when it’s icy) but other pets benefit from wearing actual boots.
Protective footwear can also make it possible for our dogs to more safely join us on long hikes with jagged rocks—or to navigate city environments that might have broken glass and other debris.
Health conditions
Dogs with joint problems might be more comfortable in warm clothing during cold months. Yes, their feral ancestors survived okay without our intervention—but there’s no reason not to help our pets feel better if we’re able.
Some dogs have itchy skin conditions or allergies. Lightweight clothes can prevent scratching and encourage healing. Sleeves and boots might also be used to limit contact with particularly triggering environments (like types of grass).
Similarly, shirts, jackets, and even pants are sometimes options for dogs who are recovering from surgery. These can protect the wounded area without the need for a traditional “cone of shame”!
Energy and interaction with strangers
As mentioned in the above section, sometimes our pets don’t want the extra attention that clothing can bring. Other times, though? Even simple accessories help “scary” dogs look less intimidating. This can have a positive effect on the way people feel about them in public spaces—canines are great at picking up on subtle human cues—which might improve our dogs’ long-term mental states, too.
We’re also allowed to enjoy things “just because”
So long as we keep our dogs’ wellbeing top of mind? There’s nothing wrong with snagging a few pet accessories for our own entertainment. Life is hard enough. Let’s take (even simple, silly) happiness where we can get it!
If no real harm is being done, one of my favorite sentiments is to just let people enjoy things.
Our favorite clothes and accessories for Scout
Puffer vest: We got an inexpensive Boots & Barkley velcro puffer jacket that Scout sometimes wears when it’s cold outside. It doesn’t have to go over her head, which makes it especially easy to put on.
Custom-fitted fleece sweater: We also had our friend Tessa (@echo.the.batdog on Instagram) make Scout a custom sweater in preparation for one of our trips home to Wisconsin in the winter. It’s tighter than her puffer vest and has to go over her head (not her favorite thing) but is a great option for fuller coverage when it’s chilly! Definitely my personal favorite.