How to Measure Your Pet for the Perfect Fit

Getting the right size for your pet is essential for their comfort and safety. Follow our simple step-by-step guide to measure your dog or cat correctly.

Understanding Pet Sizing

Important: Pet sizing is not standardised across brands or products. A size Small from one brand will never be the same as a size Small from another brand. Unlike human clothing, there's no universal sizing system for pets.

Size labels (XS, S, M, L, XL) simply indicate that each size is progressively larger than the previous one—they do not correspond to specific breeds or weight ranges. A "Small" doesn't mean it fits small dogs; it just means it's smaller than a "Medium" in that same product.

This is why measuring your pet is absolutely essential and we can not guess your pets size for you. Every product has its own size chart, so always check the measurements for each individual item you're purchasing.

How to Measure Your Dog or Cat

What You'll Need

Flexible tape measure (tailor's tape works best)
Your pet standing in a relaxed position
A way to record measurements

Step 1: Measure the NECK

Measure around your pet's neck where their collar naturally sits—just below the narrow part at the base of the skull, above the shoulders.

Pro Tip: Allow 2-3 cms (0.8-1.2 inches) or about two fingers' width between the tape measure and your pet's neck for comfort.

Step 2: Measure the CHEST (For Harnesses)

Measure around the widest part of your pet's chest—this is behind the front legs at the deepest part of the ribcage.

Pro Tip: Allow 2-3 cms (0.8-1.2 inches) or about three fingers' width under the tape for comfort and ease of movement.

Step 3: Measure the BACK (For Clothing)

Measure along your pet's back from the base of the neck (where their collar sits) to the base of their tail whilst they're standing.

Important for Male Dogs: Consider the garment length carefully—if clothing doesn't have a cut-out for their groin area, you may want to size down slightly to avoid accidents when they need to relieve themselves.

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Tips for the Best Fit

1. Always Measure First

Designs and styles vary significantly between products. A Medium in one design may fit differently to a Medium in another. Always measure your pet and check the specific size chart for each product before purchasing.

2. Allow Extra Room for Comfort

Your pet needs breathing room! Add an extra 2-3 cms (0.8-1.2 inches) at each measurement point. This ensures the item isn't too snug. Use the "two-finger rule"—you should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between the item and your pet's body.

3. Check Where Your Pet's Measurements Fall

Compare your measurements plus the extra allowance to the size chart. Your pet's measurements should sit within the range, not at the very edge. If your measurements are close to the top of a size range, go up to the next size for a more comfortable fit.

4. Consider Your Pet's Body Shape

Unfortunately, some styles may not suit every body type. Breeds like French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Corgis, Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, and Whippets may require specifically designed items. If your pet has an unusual body shape (very long body, short legs, barrel chest, skinny neck), check garment lengths and dimensions carefully.

5. Fabric Stretch & Fit Matters

Some items have stretch or run large—we note this in product descriptions when relevant. Use this as a guide, but always rely on your actual measurements rather than hoping the item will stretch to fit.

6. Measure in the Right Places

Refer to the diagrams for correct measuring points:

NECK: Where the collar naturally sits
CHEST: Behind the front legs at the widest point
BACK: Base of neck to base of tail

Always measure and allow an extra 2-3 cms (0.8-1.2 inches) for comfort.

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Special Notes About Collars

Size XXS Collars (NEW!)

Our XXS collars are specifically designed for:

Kittens and small cats
Puppies
Toy and teacup breed dogs

Features:

Width: 1 cm (0.4 inches)
Safety breakaway buckles (recommended for cats and kittens)
Adjustable sizing same as XS, just narrower

Availability: XXS size is not available in every design—check individual product pages.

Size XS Collars

Can fit most adult cats (creates a chunkier look, but we love it!).

Features:

Width: 1.5 cms (0.6 inches)
Standard buckles (no breakaway feature)
Suitable for small dogs, puppies, and cats who don't require breakaway buckles

The Difference: Size XS is only 0.5 cms (0.2 inches) wider than XXS. The main difference is that XXS collars have breakaway buckles for safety, while XS collars do not.

Harness Sizing

All our harnesses are adjustable at both the chest and neck points, giving you flexibility to create the perfect fit.

NOTE: Reversible harness designs can not be made to be adjustable at both the chest AND the neck and still be reversible - which is why we do not sell them as we believe that comfort and good fit is more important.

Take your measurements, add 2-3 cms (0.8-1.2 inches) for comfort, and compare to our size charts. The measurements you calculate should fall comfortably within the size range—not right at the edge.

If choosing between two sizes: Select the larger size for better comfort and adjustability, especially if your pet is still growing or has a deep chest.

Why Measurements Can Be Tricky!

Common Sizing Mistakes

Many people get sizing wrong because they:

Don't know where to measure (see our diagrams!)
Don't know how to measure correctly
Forget to add extra room for comfort
Assume breed size equals garment size
Skip checking individual product size charts

Write down your measurements! Keep them handy so you can quickly check any product's size chart before purchasing.

Body Length Considerations

If your pet has a particularly long or short body, also measure the garment length. Check where items will sit on their back and front to ensure proper coverage and fit. This is especially important for male dogs—clothing that's too long may end up in an unfortunate position during toilet breaks!

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