Sometimes we dress our pets to keep them safe, like using a weighted vest or blanket to keep them calm. Other times we dress them for their comfort, such as putting a sweater on them during the cold winter. Sometimes, we just dress our animals up because it’s fun to see a dog or cat dressed like something they aren’t.
But why do we do it? Pets and animals, in general, have survived long without clothes, so why do so many pet owners think clothes are needed for their furry friends?
Surprisingly, There’s Some Science Behind It
As humans, we like to be in control of the world around us, and something that makes us feel in control is changing our environment. Anthropomorphism, or giving humanlike traits to non-human objects, is one way we try to keep control. It allows us to better understand something different because we make it like us.
One example of this is the economy. We describe the economy with words like rising, falling, booming, terrible, and other adjectives. The economy itself isn’t good or bad, but those words help us control our perception of it. Because we can praise a good economy or bemoan a bad one, we feel more in control of our own economic situation.
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It’s a Booming Market
From winter booties for dogs and cats that match their human’s mittens to leashes that match owner’s belts or straps on handbags, the market for matching dog and owner apparel is really starting to grow. There are two sections for the pet clothing market: practical and indulgent.
Practical are things like vests for care animals, coats to keep animals warm, and boots for sensitive paws. They are things that will give clear benefits to the creatures that are wearing them. The indulgent side of pet clothing is things like hats, costumes, and dresses. They might make your pet look good, but they don’t do too much for them.
If the functionality isn’t better than the fashion statement, then you’ve got indulgent pet clothing. Still, a great way to dress up an animal, but they shouldn’t stay in the outfit forever.
Should You Use Pet Clothing?
Often most people sell indulgent pet clothing like wigs, sunglasses, shirts, and other costumes to make your pets look good. These can be designed to be worn in public or worn to photo shoots. Other clothing items are designed to be used comfortably and not restrict the animals’ freedom of movement. Your animals should be able to use the restroom and move as if they weren’t clothed at all.
Your pets know that something is being done to it, just like when you clip a collar on them, and they might resist. If the clothing is designed to help them, like a weighted vest, then give it a few moments for the pet to get used to it. But if the clothing is indulgent and designed to make them look good, and they are resistant to the idea of wearing the clothes, then don’t push it.
