Don't Get Hot Under the Collar

Published May 3, 2013 by PETA Staff. Last Updated October 31, 2018.

The following article was written by PETA guest writer Jennifer Schulz.

The warmer weather is quickly approaching. It’s time for lightweight clothes, more time outdoors, and staying cool. And that goes for our animal companions, too!

There’s nothing that gets us hotter under the collar than seeing adored animal companions wearing leather collars made from the skin of other animals. While a cat’s nose is 14 times more sensitive than a human nose, dogs’ noses are 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours, according to a recent Nova article. So to put the smelly, chemically treated skin of another animal around a dog’s neck seems rather inappropriate, to say the least. Not only is it endorsing a cruel industry, it also may not be the best option for your animal companion: Who wants to wear leather in the summer? OK, we don’t think it’s ever appropriate, but in any case, there are more “breathable” materials that you can buy for warm weather to help your best furry friend keep cool.

Consider these fashionable cotton collars and leashes from Elmo’s Closet, retro organic styles from Very Vintage, and hemp-based products from The Good Dog Company. And let’s not forget the funky Etsy-shop Collars with Color: super-cute, durable, and unique. They are even machine-washable so you can clean off any dirt and bacteria that your companion animal picks up with daily use. . If you’re forgoing an old-school collar altogether, check out the comfy, colorful harnesses from PuppiaUS, this soft and breathable mesh harness from FurHaven, hemp styles from Planet Dog, or tie-dyed creations from Found My Animal.

So this summer, when you and your animal companions are looking to stay cool, consider these fun, lightweight, compassionate options!