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Chihuahua Clothes and Dog Halloween Costumes – Have Fun This Fall

Posted by on December 13, 2009 at 8:38 pm in Pets
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I think Chihuahua clothes make wonderful dog Halloween costumes, not just because of their adorable size, but because Chi Chi’s are one of the cutest breeds around. Of course, I’m a bit biased since I have four of the little doggies myself, but many agree with me once the boys get dressed up. People that own Chihuahuas understand how much fun it is to put dog clothes on our tiny four-legged friends, and how much the dogs actually enjoy it. Most chi’s love the attention and the short-haired ones love the added warmth. So, when it comes to being the life of the costume party and getting tons of petting and doggie treats, I doubt many Chihuahuas would object. However, a Halloween costume for a dog does need to meet some requirements in order to be safe for a canine, no matter what breed they are. Two of the big points are to make sure holiday clothing is comfortable and visible.

Comfortable dog clothing is important not just because it will make your pooch feel better. If a sweater or coat is too hot, your furry friend could overheat and feel sick. At the same time, if your canine is going to be outside with the cold autumn air, the apparel needs to be warm enough if the dog doesn’t have thick fur. A dress might look adorable but not hold in any heat for a shivering little hound. Make sure there are no annoying tags poking your pet’s skin as it can cause irritation and make sure there’s no sign of a rash or other allergic reaction when you first put on the outfit. You never know if there’s something in the fabric your pooch’s skin will react to.

If your hound is going trick-or-treating or just out for a walk with his costume, having a visible getup will make him easier to see for car drivers. This will greatly reduce the odds of him getting hit if he accidentally runs in the road. Some helpful accessories are dog boots, since most are made with a reflective strip and come in many colors to match an outfit.

By: Grant Carroll

About the Author:
Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with amazingly cute chihuahua clothes for your tiny Chi Chi babies. Browse Little Pampered Pets.com to find the spookiest dog halloween costumes this fall.



Dog Clothes for Large Dogs

Posted by on November 7, 2009 at 8:18 am in Pets
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People may think that large dogs don’t need dog clothes, but there are situations where they are needed. It can still be fun to dress them up as well. Just because they’re big doesn’t mean they can’t have a pampered wardrobe. Most large dog clothing is made for functional purposes, but it’s good to have fun with it as well.

Large dog clothing serves many useful functions. One of the best examples is raincoats. No matter how big a dog is he’s not going to like being soaked, and a good quality raincoat will keep him dry and happy during his walks in the rain. During the winter, dog boots are a useful item. Often times, the sidewalks and streets are salted or covered with chemicals to melt the ice. These substances can be painful and damaging for your big baby’s paws and can be dangerous if he licks them off himself. Putting durable boots on him will prevent all these problems. These examples show how clothing for large dogs can be a useful and good investment.

When you have a big baby, you can still have tons of fun getting them new threads. One of the best ways to have fun clothing your big dog is through message shirts. There’s a wide variety available with all kinds of phrases and words printed on the back. Some cute examples are messages like “Big Boy” and “Security”. You can also show his cuddly side with one like “hug me” or “You know I’m adorable”. Aside from shirts, you can also get costumes to have fun. This is great for special occasions like Halloween or Christmas when everyone gets dressed up. As you can see, large dog clothing can be both functional and fun.

By: Grant Carroll

About the Author:
Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with Dog Clothes and Dog Coats.

Visit Elizabeth Austin for Wholesale Dog Clothing and Wholesale Pet Products [http://www.elizabethaustinwholesale.com]



Dog Clothes Patterns

Posted by on October 21, 2009 at 12:36 pm in Pets
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Dog clothes are available in a variety of styles and patterns – all the latest fashions in the canine world. Body suits, beach wear, jackets, loungewear, shirts, t-shirts and sweaters are some of the more popular dog clothes. You can even get footwear and novelty outfits like sports, halloween, tuxedos, and so on. This list is just as endless as the list for human clothes! All this apparel is available in a variety of colors, fabrics, and patterns. Corduroy, faux fur, sequin, and tartan are some of the commonly used fabrics for dog clothes.

You will find a number of dog clothes pattern books available on the market. Crocheting, knitting and sewing dog clothes patterns are popular methods in making the clothes. You can either follow the patterns yourself (if you know what you are doing) or you can pay a pet clothing tailor to do the work for you and ensure the proper fit. Of course, if you do it yourself, you get full control over the types of details you would like on your dog clothes. Choose the option that works best for you.

Vests, scarves, sweaters, mittens and hats are “in demand” patterns for your dog. Knitting is a very popular method used to make dog apparel. Knitted dog clothes patterns very often come in inspiring styles, and hand-knitted doggie shirts, mufflers, suits, t-shirts, tanks and body suits are in special demand. Other dog clothes patterns include embroidered and quilted specimens. Handcrafted, embroidered items are popular but very inexpensive.

By: Marcus Peterson

About the Author:
Dog Clothes provides detailed information on Dog Clothes, Small Dog Clothes, Designer Dog Clothes, Dog Clothes Patterns and more. Dog Clothes is affiliated with Small Dog Collars.



Dog Clothes make Great Gifts

Posted by on September 21, 2009 at 5:46 am in Pets
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When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don’t, you will. Just give it time.

Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could “grow into them”. And she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.

Then there’s my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay “tucked”, but hubby goes un-tucked — always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.

If you must give clothes this season, there’s one giftee on your list who’s sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He’ll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.

That’s right, your dog. Or your best friend’s dog. It’s so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it before.

Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. So, Spike will wear his outfit – whether it’s cute or ridiculous – as soon as he sees how happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up all that extra attention he gets from strangers. And Fifi might even want to Vogue for the camera.

Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless you’re going for practicality, cuteness is what counts. And that’s easy to accomplish, given that any dog wearing clothes looks pretty darned cute.

Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of flannel PJ’s for bedtime or a terry robe for after bath. There’s even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.

If you really want your gift to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of sunglasses–they make them just for dogs. And I recently heard that leg warmers are making a come back.

Got a mischievous sense of humor? Making the baby look silly might be a no-no, but it’s good clean fun when it comes to dressing up a dog. There are some really creative doggie costume out there that are good for a chuckle or two.

There’s really only a couple of rules you’ll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes:
One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and feathers are examples that come to mind. An object that can easily be chewed off and swallowed is a choking hazard and can get stuck in the dog’s digestive tract.

The other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring from the dog’s collar to the base of her tail for length. Most garment’s girth can be adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as a bulldog. Measurements are typically in inches.

Remember that a dog will never “diet down” into an outfit that’s too small , or — unless you’re shopping for a puppy or a pregnant female — “grow into” an item that’s too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)

Oh, and one more thing–if you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. Just don’t forget to include an opening for the dog to relieve himself. Don’t laugh, it happens a lot!

Now, if you’re shopping for your own dog, you’re all set. But if you’re buying clothes for someone else’s dog, I’ve got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. So, if the dog’s owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).

Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal. It shouldn’t be hard to find an item of clothing for a woman’s dog that’s either beautiful or memorable or both, and it will of course be personal!

Exception: if the woman is someone you don’t know well. The more distant the relationship between giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if you don’t know the dog owner very well, you probably shouldn’t be buying dog clothes for their pet.

I hope you’ll have fun picking out something nice for the canine on your shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a photo!

By: Carolyn Schweitzer

About the Author:
© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com . If you need inspiration for dog clothes, stop by. The site offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.) She’s always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.



Chihuahua Clothing And Apparel

Posted by on September 13, 2009 at 6:44 pm in Pets
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Chihuahua clothes and apparel might seem like a funny idea to some people. But dressing your little dog up in clothes can be fun and even beneficial.

They are more affected by the weather and elements than larger dogs. Their thin coat of hair doesn’t offer much insulation or protection, even on the long-hair breed. If you live in an area which has cold winters, it can be dangerous for your them and even cause health problems. Consider buying a sweater, or raincoat for tiny loved one to help shield them from the cold, rain, and snow.

T-shirts are best for protecting your chihuahua in milder temperatures. Most T-shirts are light-weight and short-sleeved. Typically T-Shirts encompass the dog’s entire torso, offering protection from the sun and other elements.

Sweaters can be light weight or very thick. Sweaters are great for providing warmth for your little one, while protecting him from dirt and water as well. Most sweaters have wide neck lines, so be sure to secure it before letting your dog outside.

Hoodies offer a lot of protection for your chihuahua. Hoodies can be light weight or heavy, so they are good for both warm and cool temperatures. Hoodies offer protection for your their torso, legs, and head.

Raincoats offer the most overall protection for your chihuahua. When paired with a rain hat, raincoats protect your dog from rain. wind, and snow. Raincoats can come in many different fun colors and styles to choose from.

When you dress your dog up, make it reflect their their personality. There are lots of graphic tee’s available and these can be perfect for the males, often saying funny quotes. Girl clothing, such as things with rhinestones, and accessories are great for female chihuahuas. Just remember, something as simple as blue for males and pink for females can make a huge difference.

When you get your new clothes, take some time practicing putting them on your chihuahua and getting them off. This will get you and your pet used to it.

By: Katherine Wallace

About the Author:
Katherine Wallace is a chihuahua owner and runs the website http://chihuahuathreads.com



What Removes Cat Urine Odors From Clothes, Fabric and Carpets

Posted by on September 4, 2009 at 4:50 pm in Pets
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We all love our cats – but it can be very aggravating when they pee on our clothes, or on the carpet. So what can we do to remove these cat urine odors? The simplest solution is to use a commercial enzymatic cleaner. You can buy these anywhere. The best of these cleaners specifically target cat urine. They forcibly remove the chemicals in the cat urine which bond to your clothes and carpets.

Many cat owners recommend using Nature’s Miracle to remove cat urine. It normally comes in a white bottle with red lettering and a red cap. All you need to do is follow the directions on the bottle and the smell of cat urine will soon be gone. You should be able to find this cleaner at Petsmart, Target or WalMart. You should also be able to find it in your local pet shop, together with all the other things for litter training your cat.

If you are trying to remove cat urine from your carpet, you should get a blacklight as well. Nature’s Miracle isn’t exactly cheap, and you may need several applications to get rid of the smell. With the blacklight, you can see just the affected spots on your carpet, so you do not need to clean the whole carpet. Turn it on in complete darkness, and you will see new stains glow yellow, and old stains glow green.

Cat lovers on a very tight budget may need to rely on cheap powdered carpet fresheners. Just sprinkle it over your carpet and leave it for a few days, then vacuum it off. Unfortunately, this does not remove the odor, but only covers it up. You will need to choose a scent you like, and may need to repeat the process a few times.

For those of you who bleach your clothes, you may want to check what is inside your bleach. Make sure it does not contain ammonia. This is the same stuff that is inside cat urine, and can attract your cats to pee on your clothes. Just switch over to a different brand which uses a different active ingredient.

You will also want to keep your cats away from your clothes. Most cats do not like the smell of lemon or mothballs. So washing your clothes with a lemon-scented detergent, or using a lemon-scented fabric softener should also help to prevent your cats from urinating on your clothes.

Does your cat just urinate somewhere nearby your closet, and the smell gets in to permeate your clothes? You may want to try spraying a commercial cat repellant around your closet to keep your cats away. You should be able to buy these chemicals at your local pet shop. Another alternative is to regularly wash the floor around your closet with a strong lemon-scented detergent.

With this two pronged approach – removing cat urine odors and keeping your cats away from your clothes – you will once again have clean and fresh smelling clothes.

By: Katherin Towers

About the Author:
However, just removing cat urine from your clothes and carpets is not enough. Prevention is better than cure – the best long-term solution is to litter train your cats.



How To Choose The Perfect Pomeranian Clothes

Posted by on September 1, 2009 at 7:16 pm in Pets
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Dog clothing is growing in popularity and is great for keeping your furry friend warm and safe. Pomeranian clothes can help you Pom look cool while protecting him from bad weather. Dressing your Pomeranian in practical but stylish attire can be fun as well as practical.

Protecting your dog from the bitter cold is one practical reason for dog clothing. Although your Pomeranian does have a thick coat to protect him, he is sure to appreciate an additional layer against the cold. Your pet is sure to appreciate the extra warmth a dog coat or sweater can provide. If you are taking your Pom for a long walk, you might consider a thick coat, but a quick trip out to do his business may only require a sweater.

You can buy all different kinds of clothes for your Pomeranian. Everything from party clothes, to tuxedos, to raincoats to boots can be found. For girl Poms, you might try a pink sweater with fur on the edges or maybe a Harley Davidson jacket for a boy. Many dogs don’t mind being dressed up and appreciate the extra protection. You want to go slowly the first time you put a piece of clothing on our Pomeranian as they will not be used to it, but after a fashion it won’t bother them at all. For safety sake, make sure to pick clothes that don’t have loose strings that could get wrapped around his neck or legs and no embillishements he could chew off. It’s better to spend more on quality clothes that are safe for your dog.

Most Pomeranian clothes manufacturers keep safety in mind when designing outfits. Many coats have a reflective piece for safety when walking. To keep your Pomeranians paws clean, you can buy boots for dogs that will also give him comfort on cold and rainy days You can get rain slickers for dogs too, and hats to protect them from the fierce rays of the sun. If your Pomeranian like to romp in the woods, a coat will also help keep burrs off his fur and save you the trouble of having to try to get them out.. When choosing a coat, one that has a nylon shell as well as a fleece lining will help keep your pet snug and dry.

If you are dressing your Pomeranian, you need to make sure the clothing is a good fit, not too loose or tight, and also that he has enough room underneath to do his business if necessary. It’s great if you an actually try the clothing on your dog before you buy it, that way you can be sure it fits him well and has no loose parts that may catch on trees and furniture.

Finding Pomeranian clothes that suit your dogs needs should be easy as there is a large variety available both on and offline..

By: Lee Dobbins

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for The Pomeranian Pages where you can learn more about caring for your pom and how to pick Pomeranian clothes.