Animal clothing
The clothing of pets based on human models is a socially controversial phenomenon. For some pets - dog or cat breeds - clothing that protects against cold or wet may be necessary, as the animals' natural protective mechanisms have been purposely bred away in the name of a misunderstood aesthetic or breeding standard.
Dog clothes
A dog sweater is a textile that protects the torso of domestic dogs from environmental influences. A basic distinction is made between three areas of application:
- Weather protection: In some dog breeds, the protective function of the natural coat is no longer guaranteed due to genetic defects. The tasks of the fur are thus taken over by an appropriate piece of clothing, which both protects against the cold and prevents damage to the skin by UV radiation .
- Medical use: After surgery on the torso , a dog sweater can eliminate the need to use a neck collar to prevent gnawing the wound. This alternative increases the quality of life of the animals considerably during the period of use, since the generally common neck collars cause a bell-shaped effect and severely restrict the dog's ability to move. However, from a hygienic point of view, this use is not uncomplicated, as males in particular are often contaminated with urine . Dog sweaters are also used in endocrinopathies associated with hair loss ( Cushing's syndrome , hypothyroidism , hyperestrogenism ) to temporarily replace the function of the fur.
- Use as a fashion accessory : In the course of the humanization of dogs and to demonstrate the social status of the owners, the dog sweater serves to underline this function.
Animal welfare thought
From the point of view of animal welfare , only its use as a medical aid is harmless. Dog breeds in which a major breeding goal is to limit their viability are commonly referred to as torture breeds . The use of the dog sweater is therefore only the ultimate consequence of a breed standard that is contrary to animal welfare . The use as a fashion item is prohibited by the Animal Welfare Act with consistent interpretation, as the animal is prevented from its natural way of life.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Animal clothing - sense or nonsense? ( Memento of the original from May 26, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at tierarztfibel.de, accessed on May 2, 2016.
