We know it’s not uncommon to see dogs wearing those little jackets when they’re out and about on walks with their owners. Horses wear them to keep the chill at bay when they’re out all day in the fields, but what do you think of the animal clothing industry that goes beyond the practical and tumbles headfirst into the fashionable? Did you even realise a fashion industry for our furry friends existed?

Are dogs in designer clothes a step too far?

Type ‘clothing for pets’ into any search engine and you will certainly find myriad websites positively brimming with fashion tips for terriers and furstyles for ferrets, but does the mention of this unusual hobby make you roll your eyes in despair or snatch up your Shih-Tzu for measurements? With big name celebrities like Paris Hilton opening a line of pup clothing, it’s no surprise that dressing up our animals in the latest gear is catching on the world over. It’s not just dogs getting the five-star treatment either with special little doggy raincoats to keep them dry. You can get designer clothes for cats, stylish footwear for rabbits, and there is even a site or two dedicated to apparel for your rodent buddies. No animal is safe from the devious world of the designer, so are you pro-puppy- dress-up or anti-animal-fashion-establishment?