Best Dog Bandanas

It’s no secret that a lot of pet pawrents love dressing up their pooches–from cute outfits to canine bling, there are plenty of ways to make your cute pooch look even cuter. Of course, some types of accessories and clothes for dogs are primarily functional and stylish second, such as warm winter coats, or waterproof booties. However, there are many others that don’t require practical reasons–I mean, you can only dress a pooch in a down jacket for a certain period of the year and in certain areas- to be worn and can make your pooch stand out in the crowd with his impeccable taste for fashion. (Who are we kidding? It’s your taste–your doggo has a developed taste only for treats and smelly old socks, probably.)

Why Do I Need Dog Bandanas

On the other hand, you want your pooch to be comfortable and enjoy being dressed up–no one wants their pooch to feel restrained, uncomfortable or irritated because of fashion and looks. Some dogs love strutting their stuff in cute outfits, others throw a fit if they even see a garment heading their way, and some can only tolerate certain types of accessories. So, if you are keen on styling your doggo, the key is to find something that your pooch won’t mind wearing and that will fit your vision of their pawesome style. That’s where dog bandanas come in handy–they are the least intrusive dog fashion accessory you can think of, and despite that, they can make a show-stopping detail that will have your pooch turning heads on his way over to the dog park.

Dog bandanas come in countless designs and patterns, with a style that fits any pooch and his pawrent’s preferences. They are also available in a range of different materials, from lightweight cotton to warm flannel, so your four-legged fashionista can sport one every season of the year. You can create a complete collection of dog bandanas, with festive and seasonal choices, color-themed, or centered around your pet’s personality or quirk. The possibilities are endless- and that can be a bit overwhelming.

What to consider when choosing dog bandanas

Choosing a bandana for your dog might seem like the simplest thing in the world–and while it’s not rocket science, it still requires a bit of thought. You don’t want to judge a bandana by the looks alone–it has to be made from proper materials and be a proper fit for your pet, among other things. Before you put one of these cute accessories in your shopping cart, make sure you first determined if it ticks your boxes based on these factors:

Materials

Let’s face it – dog bandanas don’t have to be super durable (even though it’s cool when they happen to be) because they’re meant as a stylish accessory that will be worn on special occasions and not a functional everyday collar. Still, you’ll want to skip on dog bandanas made from cheap, paper thin materials. Not only they don’t look as good as those made from high quality fabric, but they can also feel itchy or irritating against the fur and will most certainly show signs of wear and tear in no time. “Investing” a couple of bucks more into something made from breathable, quality materials definitely pays off. Not only that this could mean that the new stylish accessory will look, well, new and stylish for a longer period of time, but it will also be comfier to wear against sensitive pet skin.

Ease of cleaning

A bandana is bound to get dirty – sooner, rather than later. Even if your pooch is tidy and clean, a piece of fabric against their coat will pick up dust, bodily oils, etc and look worse for the wear after a few outings (maybe even smell a bit funky, too). That’s why you should pick dog bandanas that are machine washable – when the need arises, just toss them in for a spin and they’ll look like new, prolonging the usability life of your pet’s new fashion accessory. Choose materials that will not fade, wrinkle, or shrink during washing, and that will be able to take the constant wear and tear and stay looking as good as on the first day.

Closure style

Most dog bandanas are just simple square handkerchiefs folded in half to create a triangle – with ends that tie together to keep the bandana in place. This is simple and works great, but there are other options if you want to avoid having to untie a knot from something your wiggly pooch is wearing. Hook and clasp, snap on, velcro – these are all solid closure options for bandanas, so it all boils down to your preference. The more secure the fit, the better, though – no one likes buying a new bandana only to find it missing after a brief walk!

Special properties

While most dog bandanas are worn for the sake of style, sometimes a bandana can be more than a simple fashion accessory. There are cooling dog bandanas on the market, designed to keep your pooch chill during hot summer days. Similarly, you can use a bandana to soothe your pooch: just spritz some calming spray on it as a substitute for dog calming collars. Moreover, a bandana can display a dog tag, a name, or carry a patch with some important information about the dog or the owner.

Dressing up: best canine accessories for stylish pooches

If you’re looking for dog bandanas to complete your pet’s outfit or to give your pooch a cute accessory that he won’t mind wearing, you’re in the right place. We’ve handpicked the best dog bandanas out there and you’re bound to find at least one (if not more!) that match your criteria. However, if you are looking to take things a step further and you’re considering other fun and pretty dog accessories you could get for your pet, we’ve got you covered, too. There are so many options for dressing up dogs nowadays that it would be a shame not to mention at least some of the accessories meant to help you accentuate your pet’s already existing adorableness. A lot will depend on your dog’s tolerance and how much he’s willing to put up with- some pooches actually love the attention that comes with dressing up, while others can’t be easily persuaded to wear anything more than a collar or a harness. So, it’s important to pick your pet’s accessories accordingly- don’t force your pooch to wear something that makes him uncomfortable for the sake of your entertainment or preferences, that should go without saying.

Stylish dog collars

From leather collars to rhinestone decked, a dog collar doesn’t have to be just an attachment for a leash and ID tags. Same as dog bandanas, fashionable dog collars are an excellent way to get your pooch to wear something cute with minimal hassle – there’s nothing less intrusive than a properly fitting neck gear. Also, dog collars can be both stylish and protective! Bring out your pupper’s tough guy style with a fashionable spiked collar, but also protect their neck from an unexpected bite.

Dog coats

Whether it’s a lightweight autumn coat, a waterproof raincoat, or a warm winter jacket in question, it doesn’t have to be “just” functional. There are plenty of gorgeous designs that marry practicality and fashion, allowing your pooch to dress for the occasion – and look absolutely adorable at the same time. Emphasize their character and make them the center of attention. A fashionable dog coat will be certain to stir up some interesting conversations in the park.

Canine paw-wear

OK, not all dogs like to wear booties – but those that do (or have to) get to choose from some ridiculously cute designs. Scaled down puppy uggs or pooch high tops replica? Ugh, too adorable to bear. Dog footwear can have some great advantages as well. Don’t want muddy paw prints all over your home? That’s understandable. When the weather is rainy and dreadful, get your pupper some canine shoes – and the wet weather won’t stop either of you from having fun. It also helps protect your dog’s sensitive paw pads, which can get dry and cracked from outdoor surfaces and bad conditions.

Pooch bling

Yup, jewelry for dogs is not a novelty anymore – and not just reserved for the rich and famous anymore. There are plenty of canine necklaces made to resemble posh jewelry pieces that cost just a few bucks – and can be a great prop for photos or an accessory for an event. Most dogs are comfortable wearing these, so that’s another bonus! Make you and your pooch an irresistible duo – with dog bling you can emphasize your sense of style, and your prestige too. Want to splurge and boast? Make your pupper shine!

Dog costumes

OK, this is mostly seasonal–but if your pooch is an Instagram celebrity (or just like to take fun pics of him for family and friends), wearing costumes for photos can be a year-round thing. Luckily, there are so many options that you can never lose inspiration–from movie characters to professions and everything in between, you’ll have a blast dressing up your pooch in costume. That’s if he allows it, though! After all, not all pooches can be cool as our resident fashionistas, Zed and Oscar, who have an impressive costume collection.

In summary, dog bandanas are a great way to have some fun outfitting your pooch without bothering them with uncomfy clothes they don’t like to wear. Besides emphasizing your keen sense of style and humor, they can have a range of practical advantages as well. Great in every season of the year, these accessories are ideal to protect, keep warm, or even cool when the weather is hot. And if you combine them with some collars and bling, you will complete a stylish look that is sure to spark a conversation wherever you are. Put simply, a dog bandana is a great and affordable way to bring a spark of fun into the relationship with your pet, and to make every pooch feel loved, appreciated, and in the center of attention!

Can I sew a dog bandana by myself?

While there are tons of designs to choose from, if you are familiar with using a sewing machine and prefer going down the DIY route instead of shopping, you can easily sew a dog bandana by yourself. For those of you that are more experienced sewists, you can sew the whole collar with the bandana attachment, but most will find it easier and more convenient to sew only the triangle with casing that allows you to pull through your pet’s existing collar through it. There are various YouTube tutorials explaining the whole process as well as ready-made patterns you could trace for a perfect size match.

Are bandanas good for dogs?

Bandanas are not just cute accessories your pet can flaunt in the doggie park. Some dog bandanas go far beyond a fashion statement and include certain design elements that provide special benefits to their canine wearers. Cooling dog bandanas will keep your pet refreshed and their body temperature optimal in the dog days of summer, so they make a great choice for a long day at the beach. Similarly, calming dog bandanas contain pouches infused with soothing essential oils, pheromones, or herbs that could help your pet’s nervousness and make them feel more at ease at stressful events.