Do Dogs Need Clothes?

 

You might wonder about whether dog clothes are necessary for your dogs. You’ve probably seen the cute little pampered pooches with their fancy clothes on YouTube or Instagram, right? Their outfits look pretty, but not very functional. And sometimes, they’re downright frivolous.

Do dogs need dog clothes?

Do you know if your dog needs a coat? They generally have fur, with a few exceptions, as any dog owner knows. They certainly shed enough. However, sometimes the coat they were born with isn’t enough for their living conditions. Maybe we have them living in a different environment than they are built for. And the activities we ask them to participate in create new challenges that they were not prepared for.

History of dogs and people

Centuries ago, when early dog relatives were in the wild, they were suited for the environment in which they lived. If they were near the equator, they didn’t need thick coats and didn’t have them. Likewise, the insulation would help them survive if they lived near the poles, so they had nice thick coats. Their dog coats were well suited to their homes.

Then they started hanging around people. People decided dogs could help them with their work, so they raised dogs for those various jobs by selective breeding, choosing parents specifically to pass on the desirable traits. 

The more dogs were developed, the less they resembled their ancestors. The result has been that, while dogs are very skilled at their assigned jobs, they aren’t suited to live in the wild as they once were. They might have traits from their ancestors who lived in the tropics while residing in the northern reaches or vice versa. For that reason, they need us to help them by providing gear, like dog coats, that help them exist comfortably in the places we have them living.

Not all dogs need a coat. Some are very comfortable, just as they are based on where they live. For example, a Newfoundland in Canada has the perfect jacket for staying warm in those bitter winters. Likewise, a whippet with its lean build and smooth coat suits a desert home.

Why your dog needs a coat?

How about your dog? How can you tell if your dog is comfortable? Just observation and common sense will tell you a lot. Dogs feel cold like we do. Or they overheat. Ways you can know that you need to buy a dog coat:

• Your dog is shivering

• They don’t want to go outside

• Your dog may be all huddled up or curled up, trying to stay warm

• The natural coat is smooth

• Their build is lean, with little fat

• Temperatures are cool enough that you feel chilly or even cold, meaning they will.

  
  

• OR

• They are panting and lying in a puddle rather than going outside.

• They are muscular or brachycephalic and not built for tolerating heat.

• 
  

• MAYBE

• You are asking them to participate in activities they wouldn't normally do, like

• showing in conformation or working as a service dog.

If you see any of these, it’s time to consider dog coats.

Fortunately, many people have noticed that dogs need help staying comfortable

sometimes and have designed products to help them. The choices are almost limitless. Big stores like Walmart, pet specialty stores like Petco, and smaller boutique stores all carry versions of dog coats. You can even get them custom-made for your dog or create your own if you’re handy. 

Finding the right dog coat

If you decide to get your dog a dog coat, take a look at Madebyde. I make each coat just for your dog.

No one option is always best. To get the best coat for your dog, consider

• Does your dog need to stay warm, dry, or cool?

• Is your dog going to spend long periods outside or go for potty breaks?

• What activities is your dog going to perform in that coat?

• Does your dog have special health needs, or are they elderly?

Once you’ve figured out what specific needs that new dog coat should fulfill, you can search for a suitable option. The main point is that if your dog needs clothing, they’ll be much more comfortable if you get them whatever they need to feel better. We ask them to do all kinds of things they usually wouldn't do by themselves. If they feel comfortable, you'll both be happier.

Heatstroke; Do you know what to watch out for?

 

What is heatstroke?

If you have a dog, you’ve heard about heatstroke and how it’s dangerous for your dog. But what does it look like, exactly?

Early signs of heatstroke include:

– Panting
– Drooling

If you’re paying attention, you can probably cool your dog down and have no lasting problems. When the symptoms are mild, a dog cool coat or other cooling methods can help control the condition. 

As things gets more serious, you could see these symptoms.

– Decreased responsiveness
– Dark red gums
– Confusion and/or anxiety
– Glazed eyes
– Rapid heart rate
– Labored breathing
– Temperature above 103
– Vomiting or diarrhea, possibly with blood in them

What do you do if you are concerned about overheating or heatstroke?

 

If you see the above symptoms, you need to try to cool your dog off a.s.a.p.!  What you can do:

– Get them out of the heat
– Let them stand or lay in cool water and bath them in it
– Encourage them to drink cool (not ice cold) water

If these steps don’t get your dog to normal quickly, or if you see seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, or minimal consciousness, you need the vet’s help as quickly as possible. Organ damage quickly starts in and makes rescue much more difficult.

Which dogs are at risk?

Since dogs can't sweat except through the pads of their feet, any dog can become overheated and suffer from heatstroke.  However, some dogs are at increased risk due to their physical makeup.

Dogs at risk:

– Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like pugs or French bulldogs
– Darker colored dogs (since black absorbs heat)
– Heavily muscled dogs (since muscle produces extra heat)
– Very young or very old dogs
– Dogs with other pre-existing health issues
– Very high-drive dogs that don’t self-limit

How do you prevent heatstroke?

Heatstroke can be prevented if you are prepared. Since any dog has the potential to suffer from heatstroke, it’s a good idea to be aware of the weather and risk factors.  If your dog is especially prone to overheat, this becomes vital.

To make sure your outing doesn’t turn into a tragedy, pay attention to your dog and:

– Plan extreme activity for cooler times of the day
– Offer plenty of water
– Limit activity to shorter periods of time during the hot part of the day
– Provide a kiddie pool or other water for cooling off
– Use cooling mats, cooling coats, etc. to keep body temperature at a healthy level

Consider buying a cool coat

A cool coat like the ones I make is an effective option for helping keep your dog safe from heatstroke.  Just soak in water, wring out the extra, and put on your dog for hours of cooling. The great thing about a cool coat is that they are mobile. You can carry one with you to use whenever things are getting too hot. If you'd like to find out more about Made by De cool coats, please check out my website, www.madebyde.com.  

Why a custom dog coat is NOT expensive

 

Have you considered getting a custom coat for your dog?

Buying a custom product often comes with the expectation of being expensive.  But that's not always the case, especially with Made by De products. Here's why a custom creation for your dog is a smart investment.

1) A custom coat is built to last

If you've purchased clothing for your dog on Amazon or at one of the big box stores, you may have paid less than the asking price of one of my coats.  Once.  But how long did that item last for you and your dog?  If you have to buy every year, the cost adds up.  Before you know it, you've spent two or even three times what that custom item would have cost.  

2) You get a coat that fits

You may have struggled with not having the right fit for your dog. If a product is made using your dog's measurements and keeping their breed and other specifics in mind, it is much more likely to fit correctly; keeping your dog comfortable.

3) The features you want

Buying custom dog clothes from Made by De means that you get a say in the features of your coat.  The products from the ready made stores are intended to suit the average need.  But most dogs aren't average. 

Custom Dog Clothing is a good investment

Although the cost of a custom dog product might be a little more up front than something at PetSmart or another store with pet products, that isn't the whole story. A product that's made for your dog will fit, have the features you want, and be made to last. If you're looking for dog clothing, whether it be cool coats, rain coats, dog diapers, or winter coats, please take a look at Made by De.