DUBLIN, Ireland: Dogs resent wearing clothes and jewellery, animal charity Dogs Trust Ireland has warned dog owners.
It has also highlighted that placing such items on dogs could cause abrasions or skin irritation.
According to Belgium-based Fediaft Europe Pet Food, Ireland has 520,000 dogs.
Paulina Padlo, a spokesperson for the charity, said they advise against dressing dogs for aesthetic reasons, particularly if it causes unnecessary discomfort or irritation.
Padlo added that it might "look fun" to put a dog in a hoodie or fancy dress, and while dogs may not feel embarrassed, "as far as we know, they can feel discomfort, abrasions, irritation, overheat, or feel restricted. Overheating can lead to a heat rash, which can also cause physical symptoms."
"Clothing should also not be worn if it stops a dog expressing normal behaviour or if they show signs of being worried or anxious," she pointed out.
Research by 6Wresearch.com reveals that the pet clothing market is largest in Germany, followed by the UK, France, Italy, and Russia. It is projected to expand by 2.61 percent by 2027.
The global pet clothing market was valued at 4.4 billion euros in 2021 and is projected to reach 6.5 billion euros by 2031.
It was said that the pet clothing market was growing due to rising pet ownership worldwide, driven by higher disposable incomes and greater awareness of the health benefits of companionship. The main factors behind the expansion of the global pet clothing market were identified as the increasing prevalence of nuclear families, the rapid humanisation of pets, and growing awareness of pet health.
The spokesperson added that items such as coats and jumpers to protect dogs from rain and cold could be a good idea, particularly for breeds with little body fat, including greyhounds and whippets, which are especially vulnerable to low temperatures.
Padlo also said that the same principle applied to socks, noting that once dogs were trained and comfortable wearing them, and when used for safety and welfare reasons, they could work well.
