Owners who dress dogs in clothes can see their favorite dog as a person, researchers say
- People who have seen pets like people more, more likely to want to buy pet fashion
- Those who indicated that they would soon buy the dog’s clothes were more attached
- This meant that they were more likely to have a picture of their dog in their wallet
Owners of dogs who dress their pets in toilets may have to accept that their love is out of control, warn veterinarians.
Research suggests that pet owners who do this, such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perrycan see animals as almost human.
The researchers asked 326 owners about their feelings for their dogs and whether they would buy fashion items for them.
They found that people were more likely to buy clothes if they showed signs of seeing the dog as a human being.
Researchers wanted to know why people buy dog clothes, so they conducted a detailed online study
These include celebrating a pet’s birthday and giving nicknames such as “baby” and “sweetheart”.
The study’s co-author, Dr. Patrick Hartmann of the Spanish University in the Basque Country, said: “For retailers, this knowledge can help them earn money by offering appropriate clothing for people and dogs.”
But PDSA veterinarian Lynn James said, “Our pets don’t always share the same joy – they can feel uncomfortable and can’t move freely.”
The thriving pet industry is projected to see people in the UK spend more than £ 2 billion on pet products and services by next year.
These include haircuts, a pet spa, special food and fashion.
Researchers wanted to know why people buy dog clothes, so they conducted a detailed online study.
To assess whether the 326 dog owners see their pets almost as human, they asked how much they agreed with a set of statements, including “my pet understands everything I say,” “I love celebrating my pet’s birthday.” And “I like to give love to my pet nicknames like” baby “or” sweetheart. “
The thriving pet industry is projected to see people in the UK spend more than £ 2 billion on pet products and services by next year. These include cleaning, a pet spa, special food and fashion
People who see their pets more as humans are more likely to want to buy fashionable clothes for their dogs.
As a result, researchers suggest that retailers could do well to sell dog clothes that look more human, such as skirts, pants and accessories.
Australian dog owners were asked if they plan to buy fashionable clothes for their pet in the next two months and what are the chances of buying these products in the near future.
Those who indicated that they would soon be buying dog equipment also had higher levels of attachment to their pet.
This meant that they were more likely to have a picture of their dog in their wallet, for example, or to feel closer to their pet than to family or many friends.
Responding to a study published in the Journal of Business Research, Malcolm Morley, junior vice president of the British Veterinary Association, said: “Most owners consider pets to be part of the family, which is great, but we must remember that pets are not fashionable. accessories.
“Owners should be aware that inappropriate anthropomorphism, such as dressing dogs or other unnatural changes in their appearance, is not only unnecessary and potentially harmful, but in some cases can prevent pets from expressing their natural behavior.”
He added: “With rare exceptions, dogs should not wear clothes as they already have a thick coat to keep them warm.
“Only dogs with thin fur such as greyhounds and whipped dogs or older dogs may need a coat to keep them warm during winter walks.”
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