7 Reasons a Dog Bandana can be useful.

by Karen Marshman

Why, Why, Why ….  would you put a bandana on your pet?  I am one of those people, never dressed our animals up and didn't see the need too.  Let's face it, there are some crazy things out there for pets but, actually, bandanas are fun, colourful, fashionable, and surprisingly have a functional purpose.  Whether you have big or small animals, they suit every one of them.  Slowly, I have been converted to the bandana idea and now make over 100 different designs – how'd that happen??!!

 

One important thing is the animal's SAFETY, so, remember they are accessories and shouldn't be left on the animal unattended or unsupervised.  If the bandana becomes damaged in any way discontinue use and more importantly keep them away from naked flames.

 

We have made up a list of reasons how they could be beneficial to you and your furbaby;

 

  1. Outside your property can be a terrifying place for your animal;
  • Loud noises like fireworks, thunder/lightening
  • Travelling in the car
  • Adjusting to a new environment – like moving house
  • Visiting the vet both short and long-term
  • Visitors coming into the home

 

All these things can cause a considerable amount of fear, stress and anxiety, which in turn creates undesirable behaviours like vocalisation (whimpering, whining, barking), destructive tendencies, and anti-social behaviour. 

 

Having two beagle girls, one is "happy-go-lucky", and the other is a stress bunny!!!  What has helped us is using a bandana sprayed with "Adaptil" spray, a synthetic copy of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.).  I must add too that it is not a sedative in any way and odourless.  I suppose it could be just like us smelling our favorite thing, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, a rose, running water in a stream, for example.  It has helped her immensely.  It lasts approximately 2 hours and when she has been spooked by a kangaroo jumping through our property, thunderstorm, and fireworks ……… we LOVE it !!   We have also found putting Adaptil on her bandana when we take her for a walk outside the property.  It helps her with anxiety and encourages her to be more social.  Adaptil has also aided in improving attention span and training puppies with walking on a lead.

By using the bandana and spray, it has helped her stay relaxed and at ease in most challenging situations.  Grab one of our bandanas here and get your Adaptil at your local pet store or vets.

 

I would recommend spot testing Adaptil on the bandana first, to make sure it doesn't damage the fabric. But, in our case, it has been okay every time.  It washes out quickly, and you do need to re-apply it when required.  (Post not endorsed by Adaptil)

 

  1. As we start to feel more and more extremes in weather change, so do our animals. Where we live the weather can be pleasant and by mid-afternoon in the winter months bitterly cold at 4 pm.  On the other hand, summer can be 45 degrees in the shade!  So when the weather is not freezing but cold and especially if your dog has a fine coat of fur and feels the cold, a bandana can be a quick way of helping them to retain a bit of warmth.  Some dogs and owners don't like putting on jumpers and coats, or the animal doesn't like the feel of slipping something over their head, so a bandana is an excellent alternative to tie on and usually is not as expensive.  A lovely, soft bandana around the neck can help keep your furry friend a bit warmer.

 

  1. If you live in Australia, like us, our summers can be extreme, especially up North. So, it is essential to keep your pet's core body temperature cool.  Bandanas can provide another innovative way to help your four-legged friend stay cool.  Soak the bandana in cold water before putting it on the dog.  You could also put it in the freezer or fridge to cool it down some more.

 

Along with providing clean water, this will help them feel fresh and cool.  Checking the bandana regularly and re-soaking it as necessary.  Some of the fabrics we use hold water well and can aid in keeping their temperature down. 

 

  1. The brighter, the better. We used to put a colourful, tie-dye bandana on my old dog whenever we took her to the dog park so that she could run around and we could still keep an eye on her.  I did that to my kids too!!  The bigger and brighter the bandana or bow in the hair in the human case, it made keeping track of them so much easier.  A quick scan across the park or playground and you spotted them quickly. 

 

  1. Some dogs drool a lot. Unfortunately, some breeds such as Boxers, Mastifs or Great Danes drool more than others and managing that can be a tiresome chore at times.  We have managed to find some fabric that is water-resistant but, washable and easy to care for, our "Silver Strike" bandana made of faux leather.  Wipe the bandana down and away you go, problem solved.  Also using a water-resistant fabric spray (water repellent, can be bought from your local supermarket) on the bandana can temporarily help if you have an outing to go to and want your best friend to look their best.

 

  1. A bandana can double up as a tourniquet or a bandage in an emergency for you or your pet. However, this is only useful if you know how to use the bandana correctly.  Learning how to apply animal first aid is vital to keeping yourself and your fur family safe. 

 

  1. So you think bandanas are a cute way to give your pet a little fashion flair too, yep you're right! But hey! Sometimes you have to indulge and have some fun with your fur kids.  There are so many beautiful designs available, you can find just about anything you want. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs all look superb in bandanas.

 

If you got this far, well done!   We can help you out with your next bandana purchase click HERE.

 

Visit us at Ziva Blue or check out our daily posts on Instagram and Facebook @zivablue30 – there's some pretty cute pics of our 2 Beagles and all our furry family & friends expertly modelling our designs.

 

Coming Soon ………… Next Blog ……….. Meet the Furry Team @ Ziva Blue

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