Is it ok to dress up my four-legged friend?

Carnival or Mardi Gras, no matter what you call the foolish season, are crazy and fun months when many people love to dress up and let their hair down. Maybe you've thought about dressing up with your pet. It's certainly eye-catching, but is it even allowed or is it unfair to your pet?

You've probably already noticed the trend of dressing up animals on social media and the like - you can't get enough of cats and dogs, who often don't look quite so happy in their princess or cowboy costumes.

It can look cute and funny, I have to admit, but as responsible pet owners we also have to ask ourselves whether this dressing up is ok and fair for our pets.

Some dogs or cats obviously don't mind being dressed up at all. They do not react to the stimulus and behave as before. Others, on the other hand, find the procedure stressful and feel overwhelmed - in short, it's just too much for them.

It is therefore important to pay attention to how your pet reacts to the costume. If you notice that it's stressing them out, get rid of it immediately. After all, it should be fun for both of you.

So when is it okay to dress up pets?

In any case, it is helpful to familiarise your pet with dog clothing from an early age. This makes sense for cold climates and/or short-haired breeds that get too cold without a coat. Winter coats and snow boots are always necessary for some four-legged friends.

Pets with white or very thin coats may need to wear sun protection shirts on warm days. These can protect against painful sunburn and potential skin cancer.

In addition, some cats and dogs feel very comfortable being wrapped up thickly. A special example of this is the thunder shirt, which can help animals feel protected and safe during thunderstorms, storms or fireworks.

Harnesses are also a type of stimulus that your pet needs to get used to. Here too, it is better to get your four-legged friend used to them from an early age. Make sure that the harness fits well and that the accessories are of good quality and fit.

So it's perfectly fine if your pet is used to clothes and shows no signs of stress. It is also important that the costume is not too overloaded or noisy. But there's nothing wrong with a nice printed coat.

When you should leave it alone

If the costume prevents your four-legged friend from moving freely or even causes him stress, then please take it off again. Otherwise it is no longer species-appropriate.

I strongly advise against anything that could cause choking, constriction, discomfort or loss of balance in your pet. Please also avoid dyes and colour sprays on your pet's fur and sensitive skin - animals groom themselves and lick their fur, nobody wants to eat dyes or sprays!

The safety, comfort and dignity of your pet must always come first when dressing up. No good photo is worth your pet suffering. Please always remember this.

If you simply can't resist, then opt for something similar to a bodysuit that your pooch is already used to. If your dog often wears a coat, why not get one with matching motifs or bone prints for carnival? You know your pet best and know what they like and what stresses them out. Respect your faithful companion and their boundaries!

Why not the other way round?

Why not the other way round? You could dress up as your pet this year - that would be a new idea. It would be great to see a wild crowd of cats, dogs, chickens and cows this carnival. A real zoo, without stressing the animals with our dressing up frenzy.

If your dog doesn't mind the costume and was well-behaved at the photo shoot, then he deserves a big portion of treats. Today I can recommend our organic turkey minis for dogs. They are made from 98% turkey and are gently dried over beech wood. Mmmm, delicious, they make your mouth water. You are welcome to browse the online shop further. There are always great offers waiting for you and your four-legged friend. So, hooray, let it rip.

(Why don't you take a photo of your carnival outfit, tag Liebesgut or use the hashtag # and we'll share the best pictures in our story. It's great to see how creative you are).

Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:

Tasting packs for dogs

Tasting packs for cats