why do people dress up their pets?

[Zhukov]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16943314

Another crazy idea from America,that is starting to catch on here!

[rowanwitch]

cute photos for facebook I suspect also if the pet is a child substitute it may be more likely,

also a display of unneccesary consumption ie I can afford to waste my money in this way

[jomifl]

I couldn't possibly say for fear of persecution..

[mccfluff]

because they're idiots

i get putting a coat on a dog when its a short hair as they do get cold, but the costumes?? murph would flay me if i tried it

[Baldric]

I have 2 Dobies, they have very short (natural) coats, and as we walk mainly on the Coast they have wind/waterproof coats for bad weather as they really dont have a lot of natural protection, as for anything else- no way!

[Ankou]

nah it was the egyptians. bastet had dresses and earrings and lots of hats.

[wolf63]

As Baldric says some dogs have short coats and can get cold - especially as they get older. My last dog used to get iced-up pads and needed bootees.

It would be suicide to put clothing on most felines - but it is sold. I saw a little pink tu-tu for my little Princess. I can't imagine any cat agreeing to wearing a tu-tu.

[China Doll]

Stupidity.

Although I'd be quite up for it if I thought it would upset Eric and I wouldn't get hurt in the process... that little red riding hood one looks just like him.

[pdust]

i hate seeing animals dressed up.... they never look happy or dont seem to :(

[ummmm]

That made me laugh...

I can't imagine Brian keeping a wig on....

[wolf63]

The red riding hood cat looks just about ready to attack.

I took a look at the wigs - I pointed to them and Princess Merlin said "eek" and bolted.

What about these things for your little pussy cats? http://www.softpaws.com/colors.html

[DTCwordfan]

It even extends to humans dressing in things with dogs on them - such as in front of your wife, Philip.

http://www.smh.com.au...t-20111014-1lnsb.html

[mccfluff]

i hadn;t actually looked at the link

that cat in the red riding hood outfit looks like it wants to kill

[Ratty2E]

Because the owners really want children as Rowan says. I am guilty of buying a santa suit and a football shirt for my 2 small boys. It was only for one off occasion and the eldest wouldn't have any of it and just sat and sulked, the other one didn't care. I wouldn't try to dress them everyday that's just wrong in my opinion. Rain coats and jumpers for elderly dogs are a different matter but trying to turn your dog into a human child is wrong and asking for a dog with behavoural problems. Dogs are animals and if you really love them you should treat them as such.

[wolf63]

>>rattyratgirl >>> please tell me you didn't dress your rats up in a football shirt and santa suit.

My kitties are my best friends and my furrybairns - but they are cats and that is why I love them. They don't care about anyone but themselves - I know where I am in the household hierarchy (bottom).

;-)

[lankeela]

Not something I would do normally, although my oldies wear a fleece coat in the icy weather, but these dogs are very unlikely to end up dumped on the streets or in a rescue centre and I know what I would prefer for a puppy of mine.

[nungate]

My mum's Yorkie used to wear a coat in the winter - a nice red sweater it was - he loved it but it was only used in the winter as he didn't have a thick coat. Can imagine what would happen if I tried to dress up our cats? shredded!!!

[jomifl]

Well there you go, If people call cats and dogs 'boys' then it is not surprising that they get confused and buy human style clothing for them.

[Ratty2E]

No Wolf not my rats lol, even if I wanted to (which I don't) I didn't think I'd find anything to fit them. But I was wrong....
http://theagilerat.com/?action=Store&catid=7
BTW Jomifl they are boys too.

[jomifl]

Ratty, I must have misunderstood you, are you saying that you were refering to two human children when you referred to 'boys'? I thought this thread was about dressing up pet animals(other than human).

[jules77]

Well the coats look functional, the wigs are for a photoshoot as cant see a cat keeping a wig on for long. My sons girlfriend has a bumble bee outfit for their pug, and they love him to bits, he doesnt seem to mind one bit.