There is always something charming about pets in clothing. For many people, dressing their animal friends is purely for fashionable reasons. Some years ago, it was the sole preserve of fashionistas in ultra-rich societies. In recent times, however, reports indicate that dressing pets up goes beyond style and fashion. And that has contributed to the impressive global pet clothing market value of $5.75 billion. Below is a discussion on some reasons people dress up their pets.
1. Protection from extreme weather conditions
There are many benefits to keeping pets but to enjoy them, your pets’ health should be a priority. Some pet clothing allows you to do that. These days, it’s not surprising to see a dog with a doggie scarf around its neck during your winter walk. While this may look like a fashion statement, it has another vital function. Some pets, like cats and dogs, need that extra layer of clothing to help keep their bodies warm on extremely cold days. These two are extremely susceptible to hypothermia, which explains the need for doggie scarves. These protective clothing are usually made from special fibers that provide additional heat.
They usually work by drawing heat from the pet’s body and retaining it within the material’s fibers. However, as a pet owner, it pays to be cautious about the materials these clothes are made from. Cats and dogs may be allergic to clothing materials containing faux fur, nylon, feathers, or wool. Your best bet would be to buy your pet’s clothing from a trusted brand.
2. To address safety issues
Few people know that some animals sweat from their paw pads. For example, dogs’ paws have sweat glands that help cool off when the weather is extremely hot. The area also has a lot of nerve endings, making it logical to protect them. For this reason, some pet owners get dogs or cat booties to prevent damage to their paws. This extra protection would be ideal for summer day walks with your pets. They act as barriers between hot pavement surfaces and their paw pads.
Booties are also perfect for walks on freezing days. Frostbite is often brutal on pet paws, which is why they must be protected. Even though your pet’s paws are naturally insulated, they have limitations. Moving away from booties, there is also the issue of reflective jackets for dogs. If you take late-night walks with your canine friend, these would greatly benefit the dog and owner.
3. To resolve anxiety issues in pets
Loud noises, loneliness, and being around strange people can spark anxiety issues in some pets. For example, dogs who have experienced abandonment issues are diagnosed with moderate to severe forms of anxiety. This usually manifests as excessive barking, aggression, destructive behavior, etc. To resolve this problem, the anxiety wrap was introduced. This piece of clothing gives the same sense of comfort as a swaddled baby. Vets say the gentle pressure anxiety wraps provide makes the pet feel like they are being hugged. This calms them down and helps resolve anxiety issues.
