When I was younger, I loved to dress up my dolls. I got hours of entertainment from simply changing their outfits over and over again. I also had a pet dog as a kid. The thought of dressing up my dog, however, never crossed my mind. In fact, when I saw people with dogs dressed in sparkly tops or shiny boots, I was always confused. Why did people see the need to put clothes on their animals?
Pets aren’t toys or accessories. They don’t gain anything from wearing an “I love Mommy” top or a striped tie. In fact, they lose their natural state of being because of these clothes.
We’ve all seen those videos of dogs in shoes walking around like a newborn calf. While these videos are amusing and seem lighthearted, we can’t forget that these dogs aren’t walking unnaturally to make us laugh. They are stumbling because they are uncomfortable and don’t know what is happening to their feet.
What if someone thought it was fun to put some strange objects on us for the day? Objects that had no greater purpose than to make us look cute and gain attention. There is something morally wrong with dressing up pets solely for the purpose of human entertainment and aesthetics.
Of course, as always, there are a few exceptions. As someone who lives in a state where sub-zero temperatures are common, dressing a dog in a warm winter coat on cold days is completely acceptable. The difference here is that the reason for dressing the animal is to keep it safe and warm, not to earn a few laughs or stares.
I know that a little, dressed up pooch can look adorable. I’ve caught myself smiling at tiny dogs in matching jackets and hats. The fact remains, however, that the discomfort and unnatural state wearing clothes brings upon pets is not worth the humor it brings to us. You know your dog loves you, he doesn’t need to prove it by wearing a sweater.