Buying Home Goods, Toys, Clothes and Costumes for Your Dog?

Our beloved Pumpkin is a very small and fragile toy-poodle! When picking out clothes and especially costumes for her we always thoroughly research the products to make sure they are comfortable, safe and will not harm her. Some of the key things we look for:

Who manufactures the clothes and where?
Are they a reputable and reliable company? Always read their reviews, not only on the large online retailers but also elsewhere on the web. What are their ratings and what do other pet owners have to say about them? Do they have any outstanding legal action against?

Where are they manufactured? We all have heard of horror stories about production conditions, chemicals and other harmful items used during the manufacturing and packaging of products in countries that don’t have high level of oversight and control as we have in the US or other developed countries.

• Size
• Velcro or buttons
• How they fit with a harness
• Night time visibility

Size and comfort

When purchasing pet items like a raincoat, a coat or a life vest, you should ensure it’s not too tight on their belly. Check to make sure it fits snug and tight, but not too tight under the belly and around their legs. Always check the size charts on each vendor’s site and make sure the measurements are in inches. If not, have a conversion chart handy!

Here you can see Pumpkin wearing a High Paw Dog Hat as we prepare to go out for a walk in the rain. The shirt is part of a combo Women’s T-Shirt and Matching Dog Shirt you can find on Amazon.

How to secure the clothes

Another important detail is how the items are secured or strapped around your pup. Do they ‘step in’ the item link the Voyager Harness we used when traveling in Italy, where you will find useful information on how to travel to Italy with your dog. The way it secures to your leash is also important.

Please, NO ZIPPERS!

Look for clothing that don’t use metal zippers or other metal parts. They could harm the puppy’s belly or their hair may get caught, or even worse, pinch their skin! That’s why all pumpkin’s costumes and other wearable items have velcro or buttons, no zippers.

Harnesses & Collars

Besides the comfort, your furry friend’s clothes must also be ‘compatible’ with your walking tools. We have always used a harness vs. a collar, which as you know is just better for them! In either case, when purchasing an item that will cover their neck, like winter coats, vests or costumes, make sure there is a buttonhole to allow for the leash to be connected to the harness so you don’t have to wear the harness over their clothes (if it fits!)

Night time vision

Especially during the winter months, we all have to walk our dogs in the dark. To ensure drivers see your dog at night, buy clothes or harnesses that have plenty of reflectors or battery powered lights. Also make sure you bring a flashlight or your phone so you can easily find the spot, visually alert drivers of your presence, and ultimately have a way to call in case of emergency!