July 30th, 2010 by Jessica

For every ooh and aah you get for your decked out pet, there are bound to be a few funny looks too. Let’s face it, some people just think its plain silly to dress up pets, even fellow pet owners. This was brought home to me recently when we were trying to come up with gift ideas for a friend’s birthday. Knowing how much she loves her two Pomeranians I suggested some pet clothes. Most loved the idea, but one person felt the need to voice their loathing for the idea of pet fashions.

This got me thinking that some people just don’t get the reasons why some of us love to pamper our pooches or tabbies. It might be a tough thing to explain for some pet owners. Some might go the ‘mind your own business’ route. The simple fact is they just look so darn cute in their little hats, jackets, booties or all of the above.

Beyond the desire to have a stylish looking pet walking alongside us, there is also a functional component to pet fashion as well. This can be a big part of keeping pets healthy. For example, in colder climates jackets are a good idea when going out for walks. Some animals handle cold weather better than others. When in doubt it makes sense to have them wear something just in case. There are special coats made just for protecting pets from harsh weather.

Arthritic pets also sometimes need clothing to help keep them warm. Even though they are not as nimble as they used to be they still need exercise. They may also enjoy being out in the yard from time to time. There are a few dogs and cats that are clearly uncomfortable in clothes, and show it by trying to rip them. There are many more that love to dress up as much as their parents like to dress them. So what route do you take, none of your business, or maybe polite silence? Well one thing is certain, your pet doesn’t care what anyone thinks.