You may have considered this, but if you have dog clothes, in other words, clothes for your pet, then you have to care for them.  Dog clothes cost about as much as human clothes, so you have to learn how to care for them to make them last.

There are 3 main things to consider that will make the canine fashion last a good many years.

The first thing you keep in mind is that dog clothes can get very dirty and stinky.  I know that may seem obvious, but even more so than your clothes as dogs are generally close to the ground.  They wade through mud puddles that you have the good sense to go around.  They really don’t care if the Basset Hound coat you bought for your loved one, costs you a fortune.  So in light of that, be sure to clean the clothes periodically.  You can was them in your wash machine usually with no problems.

The second thing to keep in mind is that many dog clothes may have other things on them that need special care. If you have lots of Velcro, be sure to brush it out every few weeks to keep it closing properly. You should also close all the Velcro prior to putting the garment in the washer as that will preserve the life of the Velcro considerably.

Lastly, some dog clothes you buy are made of a higher quality than other brands.  I am not against buying the cheaper stuff,  just realize it may not hold up as well to washing.  Some fabrics and fasteners may need to be hand washed and dried on a line to make them  last longer.

Taking care of your dog’s clothes is just another part of being a responsible and loving pet owner. It will also save you money by making the clothes you by last a long time.

Most pet owners are very aware of their own safety precautions when boating or swimming in a body of water.  However, very few owners ever think about the same safety for their pets, especially dogs (as cats seem to have a natural aversion to water). Did you know you can get a dog life vest for your pet? Boaters and other water sports enthusiasts can protect their canine with the same safety device as they might themselves wear when adventuring in or near water. Veterinarians even recommend life vests for your dog. Surprisingly, dogs can drown despite the fact that they are commonly known to dog paddle, however circumstances can dictate that their swimming abilities are not enough to keep them afloat until help comes. At Dr.’s Foster and Smith there are life vests for dogs from the tiny size of 10″ to 14″ up to XX Large which is 37″ to 47″. These are the dogs’ girth measurements. They are called Fido Float life vests and cost $12 to $30 on sale or $8 to $15 more at regular price and they are worth every penny. To measure the girth of a dog, measure with a tape measure around his chest right behind his front legs. Hold the tape measure firmly, but not pinching in any way. The life vests adjust some but you will still want to consider the size your dog might be as he gains and loses weight when you select the size of his vest. Life vests for dogs are contoured for a snug fit that the dog will not slide or wiggle out of, no matter how active the dog might be. The life vests are brightly colored in orange, yellow and other bright colors so you can more easily spot your pet if he manages to get some distance from you. Visit life vest for dogs and tokidoki bags for more information.