Owners Who Dress Dogs in Clothes May See Their Beloved Dog as a Human, Researchers Say
Owners Who Dress Dogs in Clothes May See Their Beloved Dog as a Human, Researchers Say
- People who have seen pets are more like people who are more likely to want to buy pet fashion
- Those who indicated they would buy a dog outfit soon had higher attachment
- This meant they were more likely to have a photo of their dog in their wallet
Dog owners who dress their pets in outfits may have to accept that their love has gotten out of hand, vets warn.
A study suggests that pet owners who do, like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, may see animals as almost human.
Researchers asked 326 owners about their feelings towards their dogs and whether they would buy fashion items for them.
They found that people are more likely to buy an outfit from them if they show signs that they see the dog as a human.
Researchers wanted to understand why people buy dog clothes, so they conducted a detailed online survey
These include celebrating the pet’s birthday and giving it nicknames like “baby” and “honey.”
Study co-author Dr Patrick Hartmann, from the University of the Basque Country, said: “For retailers, this knowledge could help them profit by offering matching outfits for people and dogs. .”
However, vet Lynne James, from the charity PDSA, said: “Our pets don’t always share the same joy – they can feel uncomfortable and unable to move freely.”
The booming pet industry is set to see Brits spending more than £2billion on pet products and services by next year.
These include grooming, “pet spas”, specialty foods and fashion.
Researchers wanted to understand why people buy dog clothes, so they conducted a detailed online survey.
To judge whether the 326 dog owners viewed their pets as nearly as human, they were asked how much they agreed with a series of statements such as “my pet understands everything I say”, “I like to celebrate my pet’s birthday” and “I like to give my pet affection”. nicknames like ‘baby’ or ‘honey’.’
The booming pet industry is set to see Brits spending more than £2billion on pet products and services by next year. These include grooming, “pet spas”, specialty foods and fashion
People who saw their pets more like people were more likely to want to buy fashion clothes for their dogs.
As a result, the researchers suggest that retailers would do well to sell dog clothes that look more humane, like skirts, pants, and accessories.
Australian dog owners were asked if they plan to buy fashion clothes for their pet in the next two months and how likely they are to buy these products in the near future.
Those who indicated they would buy a dog outfit soon also had higher levels of attachment to their pet.
This meant they were more likely to have a photo of their dog in their wallet, for example, or to feel closer to their pet than to family or many friends.
Responding to the research, published in the Journal of Business Research, Malcolm Morley, Junior Vice-President of the British Veterinary Association, said: “Most owners see pets as part of the family, which is great. , but we must remember that pets are not fashion accessories.
“Owners should be aware that inappropriate anthropomorphism, such as disguising dogs or altering their appearance in unnatural ways, is not only unnecessary and potentially harmful, but can also, in some cases, prevent animals from expressing their behaviors. natural.”
He added: “With rare exceptions, dogs do not need to wear clothes as they already have a thick layer of fur to keep them warm.
“Only dogs with fine fur such as greyhounds and whippets or older dogs may need a coat to keep them warm during winter walks.”