Cost-Saving Baby Onesies for Dogs: The Many Ways to Use Them

I think baby onesies for dogs are the best kept secret in the world of pet ownership. These adorable little cost-saving pajamas and body suits for human infants and toddlers have an unlimited number of uses for dogs.

To give you an idea, a onesie can replace an expensive dog jacket when it’s cold outside and they’re great at keeping a puppy from dribbling on your floor.  

Onesies help dogs with mobility problems, senior dogs and even puppies. Plus, they’re inexpensive, easy to clean and easy to find.

You’d think pet owners would be talking about them all the time, but I hardly hear a peep.

This might be due to the abundance of new products on the market. Today we’re lucky to have innovative devices like: indoor scooters for disabled dogs, waterproof beds for incontinent pets and heated doggie jackets.

And while all of these products are amazing, many of them exceed the budget for the average pet family. A budget that can be stretched with a baby onesie.

Onesies come in lots of styles

If you look at infant pajamas, you’ll quickly see that they come in many different styles. They range from little short-sleeve body suits, to overalls and one-piece pjs with long sleeves and feet. They also come in a variety of fabrics. There are cotton onesies for hot weather, corduroy for cool days and heavy fleece pjs for frigid weather. There are even hooded onesies for snow and rain.

Onesies are made as slip-ons or with snaps and zippers. The assortment is so large, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one that meets the needs of your dog.

Where to find a onesie

Infant and toddler onesies are sold everywhere. You can find them online, in Etsy stores, in big box stores, children’s specialty shops and in the baby section of every department store in the USA. You can buy them as individual pajamas or if you wait for a sale, you can pick up packs of multiples.

Here are other places where you can find baby onesies:

Thrift stores

Garage sales

Hand me downs from neighbors and friends

Mommy flea market events

How does the sizing work for my dog?

Onesies are ideal for small dogs who weigh up to 27lbs, but because older children also wear one-piece pajamas there are sizes to accommodate medium dogs as well.

Here’s how the infant and toddler sizes convert for dogs:

Newborn: Up to a 7lb dog

3 Months: 7-12lb dog

3 to 6 Months: 12-16lb dog

9 to 12 Months: 17-22lb dog

12 to 18 Months: 22-27lb dog

How to make modifications

Because dogs aren’t shaped like human babies, your onesie could need some minor adjustments. This isn’t always the case, but depending how you will be using it, a bit of tailoring might be required. 

Here are the basic tailoring instructions:

First, have your dog try on the onesie. Make sure it fits without being too tight or too loose. See that your dog can walk, sit and lie down comfortably while wearing it. The onesie shouldn’t fit tight across the shoulders, arms or legs. If it is too tight, try a larger size.

Then, while your dog is wearing the onesie, gently cut with scissors a hole for the tail and the crotch. This will allow your pooch to eliminate while wearing it. Make this modification to the crotch, only if your dog won’t be wearing a diaper. If you’re using the onesie to keep an incontinent dog dry or to keep a diaper in place, do not cut a hole in the crotch. Make a cut for the tail only. 

Once you cut an area for the tail, don’t worry about sewing or reinforcing the fabric. Most onesies are made of a cotton jersey material that won’t unravel after its cut.

Next, examine the width on each side. If your dog is thin the excess material on the sides could become a hazard. Dogs can the catch excess fabric on something while they’re walking or playing or the material could block the area you prepared for urinating, causing the pjs to get wet.

If you need to tailor the sides, mark it with chalk or pin the excess area. Then when your dog is not wearing the onesie, cut away the excess material and sew each side closed.

If you find any of these instructions are confusing, there’s a helpful video to check out. It’s called Baby Onesie into Dog Overalls and there are step-by-step instructions. 

The creative ways pet owners use cost-saving onesies

Keep a dog warm: Whether it’s made from lightweight cotton or cozy fleece, a onesie can keep your dog comfortable on a cold winter day. Lightweight pjs can be used as an undergarment beneath a dog jacket or worn alone while your pup is indoors. A flannel or fleece onesie can serve as an inexpensive winter coat or use one with a hood for head-to-toe protection.

Prevent shedding / protect furniture: Onesies are great at preventing dogs from shedding on your furniture or leaving grass and dirt marks on your upholstery.  

Baby onesie costumes: Many expensive costumes for pets are actually one-piece pajamas that are decorated. Add a witch’s hat or a cape to a black onesie for a witch or wizard costume or with a black marker, turn an orange hooded onesie into a pumpkin. The possibilities are endless.

Wound care:  Dogs with open wounds or who’ve undergone surgery are almost always sent home from the vet with an uncomfortable hard plastic cone around their neck. A soft onesie is a great way to protect wounds while they heal.

Especially for disabled dogs

Scoot or drag bag:  Many disabled dogs that can’t walk are able to scoot around their house on their bums. This can cause sores on their legs, back end and paws.  A onesie with feet works well to protect these areas while still allowing your pup to fly across the floors or carpet. 

Keep a dog diaper place:  The majority of paraplegic dogs are also incontinent. Many, wear a diaper or belly band to keep them dry and clean.  Some dogs do well with a diaper but for others it can be a challenge to make it stay in place.  If your dog is active or has lost muscle mass and their diaper moves around, a bodysuit onesie can be the perfect solution. They fit snug enough to keep the diaper where it needs to be.

Leakage control:  Some paralyzed dogs are not only incontinent, but they have a leaky bladder.  The constant dripping can land on your furniture and floors. A onesie made of thick fabric can control this leaky problem.  

Healing pressure sores:  Disabled pets are prone to pressure sores on their hips and elbows. They tend to lie on their side for long periods of time, which then breaks down the skin. This can cause a pressure sore to develop.  A baby onesie with legs can protect these open wounds so they can heal and prevent new ones from developing.

Let me know

How do you see your dog using a baby onesie? Let me know in the comments below.

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