Why Your Dog Needs Clothes
Reasons Why Dogs Need Clothes
Do Dogs Really Need Clothes? It's Not Just About "Fashion"
── As an option to protect your beloved dog during daily outings ──
"Do dogs really need clothes?"
Many people have this question.
However, in modern pet-owning environments, dog clothes are not just for "fashion purposes," but are increasingly used as an item to protect your dog's body during outings.
1. Clothes provide physical assistance in "reducing skin exposure"
A dog's coat naturally protects its body from external stimuli.
However, dressing your dog in clothes can further reduce the area of skin directly exposed to the outside air and irritation.
This includes:
・Grassy areas
・Splash-back from the ground
・Environments prone to insects
It can be considered one measure to protect the skin and reduce the risk of illnesses during daily walks and outings.
【Examples of dogs with easily exposed skin】
Dogs like the following tend to have skin more exposed due to their coat structure.
・Short-haired dogs / Single-coated dogs
(e.g., Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound, French Bulldog)
・Small dogs in general (small body surface area, many thinly furred areas)
It is generally known that short-haired and single-coated dogs have a weaker coat barrier.
【Areas susceptible to irritation】
Among a dog's body, areas such as:
・Belly
・Armpits
・Chest area
have thin fur and are easily exposed to the ground, grass, and insects.
Veterinary cold-weather and outdoor care guides also explain the usefulness of covering these areas.
2. Clothes can be useful for large dogs, not just small dogs.
It's often thought that "large dogs don't need clothes," but
being large doesn't mean they're strong in all environments.
【For small dogs】
Small dogs have the characteristics of:
・Small bodies, easily losing heat
・Being susceptible to cold and heat from the ground
Therefore, clothes are often useful for temperature regulation and skin protection during walks and outings.
【For large dogs (breeds are just examples)】
Even for large dogs, clothes can be effective for the following reasons:
・Golden Retriever
・Shetland Sheepdog
・Standard Poodle
Although these dogs have relatively thick coats,
their abdomen, chest, and inner thighs have thinner fur and are susceptible to cold, rain, and irritation. Research also indicates that jackets that cover the abdomen are useful in cold or bad weather conditions.
3. Breeds requiring trimming often need clothes.
Breeds such as Poodles and Maltese have a coat type that continuously grows, requiring regular trimming.
Poodles have a long coat growth phase, requiring regular trimming.
A short-trimmed coat results in:
・Reduced insulation
・Reduced skin protection
Therefore, it is logical to supplement with clothes during outings.
4. Double-coated dogs may also need clothes.
Examples of double-coated dogs
・Shiba Inu
・Akita Inu
・Pomeranian
While all of these are double-coated,
there are differences in coat density, hardness, and structure among breeds.
In other words,
Double-coated doesn't mean clothes are unnecessary in all environments.
Clothes can be useful in situations where the coat alone cannot provide sufficient coverage, such as on rainy, windy, sunny, or highly fluctuating temperature days.
5. Summer outings and the concept of "heat shielding" (fabric names not mentioned)
During summer walks and outings,
the absorption of heat by the body surface due to direct sunlight puts a burden on dogs.
Recently,
・Reflecting infrared rays
・Blocking UV rays
・Suppressing the rise in surface temperature
Fabrics with heat-shielding properties that do these things have been developed, and
third-party tests and temperature comparison tests by manufacturers have also been published.
Such tests have shown that
"surface temperatures are significantly lower under the same conditions compared to normal fabrics."
Clothing that incorporates this idea serves to
protect the skin and body by not "allowing heat in," rather than cooling.
Fuppy dog offers clothes using heat-shielding specialized fabrics and fabrics with heat-shielding effects, aimed at protecting the skin during summer outings.
6. Important points to always know when using dog clothes
【Raincoats are for "preventing wetness"】
If the coat remains wet, it can lead to:
・Body temperature drop
・Skin problems
Therefore, waterproof raincoats are effective for outings on rainy days.
【In summer, choose heat-shielding/breathable materials and don't leave them on constantly】
In summer, prioritize:
・Heat-shielding properties
・Breathable mesh structures
Avoid prolonged wear and always ensure the owner can monitor the dog's condition.
【Size selection is very important】
Ill-fitting clothes can cause:
・Restricted movement
・Skin friction
・Stress
At Fuppy dog, size adjustments are possible if you consult with us.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting us rather than forcing the dog to wear it.
Summary: Clothes are an "option to protect your beloved dog during daily outings"
Dog clothes are not just for special occasions.
They can be a practical tool during daily outings such as walks, excursions, and travel, to:
・Protect the skin
・Reduce irritation
・Protect from heat, cold, and rain
The important thing is
to use them correctly when necessary, according to the dog's constitution, coat, and environment.
By effectively incorporating clothes,
let's make daily outings more comfortable and safe for your dog.