Don’t force your dog to dress up
- A staggering 81 per cent of pet owners have at least one outfit for their canine
- Most owners say they dress up their pooch because they fear they may get wet
- 53% say they want to keep dogs warm and one in ten so it to make them look nice
- Majority of owners have a coat for their dog, while others have reflective outfits
Colin Fernandez For Mailonline
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The craze for dressing up dogs in fancy designer outfits is causing a rise in skin complaints, according to vets.
While some may think they look cute wearing waistcoats, jumpers and t-shirts most dogs have no need of clothes.
A staggering 81 per cent of pet owners have at least one outfit for their canine companion.
The craze for dressing up dogs in fancy designer outfits is causing a rise in skin complaints, according to vets (stock photo)
Most owners – 78 per cent – say they dress up their pooch because they fear they may get wet. This fear, vets say, is misplaced as dogs dry quickly and rain is unlikely to harm them.
A further 53 per cent say they want to keep their dogs warm, while one in ten say they do it because it looks nice (10 per cent).
Seven per cent of owners admit they dress their dog up because they see the animal as a fashion accessory.
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The majority of owners (81 per cent) have a coat for their dog, while others have reflective outfits (31 per cent) and jumpers (21 per cent).
Some owners go one step further and dress their dog up in t-shirts (16 per cent), hats and shoes (both seven per cent) and even dresses (five per cent).
But vets warn that giving an additional coat to many dogs can be bad for their health.
Seven per cent of owners admit they dress their dog up because they see the animal as a fashion accessory (stock photo)
A survey of 23 vets asked their concerns about clothing canines by Direct Line Pet Insurance, found one in three vets (32 per cent) were concerned that dressing up pups and dogs can cause rubbing against the skin.
A further 27 per cent said that the use of coats can cause stress, while 23 per cent were concerned clothes can cause overheating.
The most common doggy complaint seen by vets, according to the survey, is atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that can be triggered by allergic reactions.
A survey of 23 vets asked their concerns about clothing canines, found one in three vets were concerned that dressing up pups and dogs can cause rubbing against the skin (stock photo)
Otitis, an ear infection, and flea allergies were the next two most common complaints.
The majority (70 per cent) of vets and veterinary nurses identified the West Highland White Terrier as the breed most susceptible to skin conditions, followed by Shar Peis and Labradors (both 35 per cent) and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Boxers (both 26 per cent).
The most common doggy complaint is atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that can be triggered by allergic reactions (stock photo)
The most common forms of treatment for skin problems in dogs are antibiotics (28 per cent), steroids / steroid creams (22 per cent) and flea prevention like spot on and collars (17 per cent).
For dogs susceptible to allergies, having a de-humidifier can be helpful, as can checking the dog’s diet to ensure it is eating hypoallergenic foods, the report said.
Dr Andrew Francis, Chief Operations Officer at Pawsquad, a veterinary advice service that launched the survey: ‘Owners should be mindful that sometimes putting their dogs in clothing can cause skin damage, as the added materials can irritate a dog’s skin.
‘Skin disease is the most common reason for people seeking an online veterinary consultation and, while easily treated, can cause problems if left for a long period of time.
‘If any owner is concerned their dog may be suffering from skin disease they should speak to a vet.’
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