Is it ok for a dog to wear jumpers?
It’s definitely the fashion for dogs to wear clothing these days! It very much depends upon the type of clothing and the type of dog you have. For example, during wet and cold weather, a coat would be suitable for a clipped dog or one that feels the cold, while jumpers are fine for dogs that are not full-coated. Be aware of your dog’s comfort – if your pet starts panting, remove the garment. I wouldn’t recommend leaving the dog unattended with clothing on just in case it gets tangled up or hurts itself. Also, be aware of the material used; it can be itchy and synthetic fibres can cause static which can be uncomfortable and create matting of the fur. Padded coats can also cause issues if the dog likes to chew the padding.
My dog gets lots of mud and matted hair in between his toes. How can I stop this as it looks sore?
A This is a very common problem during winter. Pop into your local dog salon and ask them to take a look; they may be able to remove some of the hair for you. Ideally after every walk, rinse the paws in tepid water with a gentle shampoo if necessary. Mud is grainy and it can be abrasive so don’t leave it as I have seen dogs with very sore paws that required veterinary medicine to soothe and treat the area.
