Why you should think twice before putting your dog in a Christmas jumper

A vet has warned pet owners to think twice before putting Christmas jumpers on their dogs.

As more people dress their dogs in festive outfits, there's been a huge rise in searches for 'Christmas jumpers for dogs'. But some fabrics can cause itching and even severe allergies in dogs.

Rhiannon Cartwright, practice manager at Maggie and Marlow Vets in Kidderminster, Worcs., said: “Last year UK online searches for ‘dog Christmas jumpers’ was close to an all-time high at 29,000 in December alone. Fabrics can be flammable, restrictive and noisy and, therefore, stressful for dogs.

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“They can also cause overheating, particularly for dogs with thick fur. If your dog isn’t used to wearing a coat, then a jumper is also likely to be uncomfortable for them.

“Key warning signs that a dog is uncomfortable in a Christmas jumper or clothing item include panting, a reluctance to move and pacing. If you notice any of these signs, remove any clothing immediately.”

She also highlighted the dangers of putting up festive decorations which could be eaten by pets.

Rhiannon said: “Pet owners should also avoid anything that could potentially be chewed such as reindeer antlers, bells or decorations – swallowing any of these items could lead to an emergency visit to the vet.”

Rhiannon added that Google searches for the phrase ‘dog ate chocolate’ more than double in December compared to other months.

She said: “Christmas is an exciting time for pets, as they are surrounded by new smells, sights and sounds. It can be a challenging time for pet owners, however, as many of the items we see as festive treats have the potential to be hazardous to our pets.

“Chocolate