Style can be an expression of personality, for both people and pets. But while human fashionistas may choose to teeter around in sky-high heels or sport leather pants in July (at their own risk), for pets, safety is also a major element of style.
We spoke with two pet style experts — Liz Eeuwes and Dolly Kaushal, designers of the Pet Valu apparel line Bailey & Bella — about how to make sure your trend-setting pet is fit-check ready and safe in their chic fall outfits.
Here are the helpful tips they had to share:
Getting the right fit
“For Bailey & Bella and for Pet Valu, pet safety is always front of mind,” says Eeuwes. “You can find our fit guides on the website and on the packaging.
We always recommend "the two-finger rule" when fitting a collar for your dog. Though the collar should be snug, there should be enough space to comfortably fit two fingers between the collar and the dog's neck.
The same rule applies to any apparel or accessory that goes around a pet’s neck. “To find the perfect fit,” she advises, “you can follow our detailed measuring instructions and ensure that they're as comfortable as they are cute. We always want to make sure the clothing is fitted to allow for warmth, comfort and freedom of movement, but not too tight.”
“It's usually neck measurement and body measurements,” adds Kaushal. “All of our fit guides are based on the neck and the length. So if you think about a men's shirt, it’s very similar that way.”
For devoted pet lovers who are still unsure, Eeuwes recommends taking advantage of the knowledge and care — not to mention the chance to try things on — at your local Pet Valu store where Animal Care Experts can answer questions and make recommendations.
Prioritizing pet comfort
Beyond the element of fit, you want your fashion-forward pet to feel comfortable in their outfit or accessories.
Some animals will be all about puffy and warm fall apparel, others will just be sweaty. How to dress your dog (or cat) “depends on a number of factors,” says Kaushal.
“The first is that Canada is so broad from the West Coast to the East Coast and it's so different in terms of weather.” Even in places that get really cold, certain animals won’t need to wear winter clothing.
“If you have a dog with a thick, heavy coat, you don't want to bundle them up too much because they might overheat,” she explains. “Whereas a dog that has a shorter coat needs a little bit more warmth, that extra parka. Like with human apparel, everyone works a little differently.”
Kaushal recommends watching your pet for cues like shivering or panting in cold weather to see if they’re too hot or too cold and outfitting them based on those behaviours.
What pet parents should consider when selecting fall apparel:
Ensure you have a perfectly fitted jacket or sweater on-hand for any weather, from cool, to rainy, to outright wintry. You may also want a piece of apparel for every activity, from a quick walk around the block, to a romp in the snow.
For safety, check apparel for fit and general wear and tear throughout the year, especially during heavy use.
Apparel will change as your pet ages. Puppies need protection against the cold before they grow into their full adult coats. And apparel adds warmth for pets as they age, which helps senior pets with arthritis and pets that lack a thick, natural fur coat on their body.
Generally, if it’s too cold for a pet parent to walk outside, it’s too cold for the pet.
Figuring out your pet’s style preferences
No matter how much a pet parent might love style AND love their pet, the pet in question might not be destined to get dressed up regularly.
Some pets can tolerate a collar and nothing more (cats are legendarily particular about the way they allow themselves to be adorned) while others will pose happily in a cardigan, tutu, and matching booties.
Collars in particular are functional, but they can also add style — swap them out daily throughout the week to change up your pet’s look.
For every category of animal style icon, Pet Valu has an option to suit their style. “We actually have a really large variety of sizes, everything from double extra small to extra large to allow pets to try on our apparel and see if they like it,” says Eeuwes.
“As well as offering a large size range, we've decided to really elevate with collections.” For example, when families have two or more pets in a household, one may be long haired and sweater-averse, while another requires an extra layer in cold weather.
Always play it safe
Both designers warn that pets should never be left unattended when they’re dressed up and that their safety and well-being must be top of mind.
“As much as we love the Instagram posts and want to make sure that our pets look cute and are included in our vacation or anything that we're doing as a family, safety is number one,” says Kaushal.
“With small dogs and cats, be cautious about putting too much on them,” she warns. And for any specific questions about pet outfitting and comfort, Kaushal recommends turning to your local Pet Valu Animal Care Expert for help and guidance.
