Dog and Cat T-Shirts

There’s nothing more adorable than seeing a Siamese cat in boots and an archer’s outfit or a poodle in a tutu. Let’s face it: though animals don’t need clothing (Mother Nature having equipped them with all the fur they need to stay warm), proud owners love dressing up their pets in the same way we would our children. It’s a sign of our affection, and it looks great in photos!

By far, the most popular pet apparel is of course the classic round neck tee. There are hundreds of designs to choose from, in sizes for practically every breed in existence, from the dainty tees of a Chihuahua to the massive shirts of a St. Bernard.

When choosing a shirt for your pet, always check what kind of fabric it’s made of. Cotton is best, since it absorbent and allows the skin to breathe. You should also get a shirt that is just about the right size; pets are very active, and can get strangled or smothered if they inadvertedly wriggle out of their clothes. They can also get very annoyed if the hem or sleeves get in their way of running and playing. Some shirts have a garterized bottom so that the shirt stays in place. Th

Your pet may not immediately like wearing clothes, and may try to squirm out of it or bite it off. Don’t grow frustrated; remember that this is not something that comes naturally to them, and they’ll need to get used to it. Meanwhile, take plenty of pictures of them wrestling out of their shirts—it makes for funny home videos!

Once your pet has gotten used to wearing shirts, you can introduce the to other fashion accessories: shoes, bowties, skirts, and even hats. Just make sure that they can be securely fastened and that they don’t have any small details that can break off and be swallowed. You don’t want your pet choking on his costume.

In some cases, pet clothes can actually serve a medical purpose. If your cat or dog is suffering from a skin disease, your vet will advise you not to allow the affected area to be exposed to irritants, including their own saliva and nails. During the treatment process, it’s best to let your pet wear a t-shirt so that he won’t lick off the medicine.

You can find a wide array of pet clothes in various designs, patterns and colours at various pet shops, department stores, and the Internet. As a matter of fact, some dog or cat clothing websites will even allow you to create your own unique design especially for your pet. Standard retail prices range from ten dollars to about thirty dollars a piece, depending on style and design.