By: M. L. Scott
Website: www.HandsnPaws.com

Are Dogs More Fashion Conscious Than Cats?

One day with way too much time on my hands, I discovered a website ostensibly about clothes for overweight cats, which prompted me to wonder why one would want to dress any cat. Anyone with a cat knows that cats are finicky. Sorry. Did I say finicky? Petal, (my cat), is outraged at the suggestion. She claims that she is neither fastidious nor pernickety. Just particular. Fido might be just dandy parading around in a crocheted mango sweater with faux fur trim, but Petal would rather eat supermarket kibble 20 days straight on a plastic dish. Yes. A plastic dish. Petal's serious. So the answer to my initial query is a short one. We don't dress cats, because they won't let us. I tried. I can't even get within 20 feet of Petal with a four-legged quilted wrap coat even if it's zero degrees outside. Cats have more sense than to go out in zero degree weather. That's why there are cat beds and catnapper window perches .

Particular they may be, but anyone who has seen a cat wake up and stretch for hours knows that cats are also flexible. They are willing to negotiate. For some wet food, a ball of string and a little one on one play action with a pole feather toy a cat will compromise. Not much, mind you. We're still talking about cats here. Cats are now making public appearances with antlers and Santa hats. Perhaps it is the holiday season bringing out their softer side. Or maybe it was the annual cat convention (to which Petal was not invited), but cats can now be seen dozing by the window in red velvet floppy headdresses with white cotton trim. But even a move like that takes some courage. The most generous cat will not tolerate a pair of antlers for more than a couple of hours. Did I say hours? That may have been minutes.

Could this explain the plethora of sweaters, coats, booties, pajamas and other apparel that we see for dogs? Do we dress our dogs because they are sappier? Are they more compliant than cats? Or do dogs just look better in clothes? For answers, I had to turn to a few dogs that I knew. (Petal declined comment). One dog, Pixie, a small toy poodle, mused that she could go either way with the dog apparel, but she suspects (strongly), that her owner (Kathy) sees her as an extension of Kathy's family and more specifically, of Kathy herself. Pixie not only travels in a designer pet carrier, but her outfits change according to the season and Kathy's temperament. For instance, when Kathy needs to wind down, Pixie will find herself in some cozy pajamas or comfy loungewear . If Kathy goes out to play, Pixie is dressed for play too in booties or a cute bandana . And Kathy loves dressing Pixie in a dainty beaded rhinestone collar and fur, bows or lacey trim whenever they go window-shopping in the city. Ralph, a chocolate Labrador disagrees. He sees clothing as a matter of safety and comfort. He would not be caught dead in a pair of pink pajamas. He claims it's a matter of necessity if he exercises in snowy or icy conditions to have a practical pair of booties to protect his paws. His life is side by side his masters as companion and protector. Whither his master goes, he goes too. A reflective vest or life jacket is as much a requirement for him as a helmet might be for anyone riding a bike.

Judy an attractive cocker spaniel has her own ideas why dogs prefer clothing to cats. She's not into sporty activities like Ralph, but is more concerned about protecting her coat during her evening walk. A cat like Petal can handle her bathroom excursions indoors with a litter box, but most dogs like Judy have to take their routine outside in rain, sleet or snow. And she doesn't have the inclination (or patience) to clean herself for hours on end like Petal. She wants to protect her fur while outside and take her walk in comfort. A foul weather raincoat or even a dog umbrella is right up her alley when it rains. Shorthaired dogs do not like the pounding on their fur and longhaired dogs feel like they have twenty Chihuahuas on their back in wet weather. So, there we have it. Dressing up dogs is not a matter of pure vanity or neurosis. Our pets play an important role in our lives and we extend the same kind of attention to them as we might have for others in our care. We act in ways that reinforce their place in our hearts, that provides them protection or safety. Somehow that Faux Fur Coat doesn't seem so silly.

Article, Copyright 2002. Sophistication Alley Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Writer Details:

Author: M. L. Scott

The author helps operate pet related businesses including www.SundayColors.com a discount gift store and www.HandsnPaws.com a gift emporium for Pet Carriers, Portable Tents and other Outdoor Lifestyle Items for Pets.