You know what? I never planned to be the person who buys pajamas for pets. But the nights got cold. My couch got covered in dog hair. And my camera roll needed a win. So I gave in and ordered custom pet pajamas for my dog, Miso, and my cat, Peaches.
I learned a lot. Some of it cute. Some of it… not so cute. Let me explain.
What I Ordered, How It Went
I placed two orders because I wanted to compare.
- Order 1: A handmade set from an Etsy maker. I sent chest, neck, and back length. I picked a print with tiny moons and a small name tag on the chest. Cost was $38. It took 9 days.
- Order 2: A faster, print-on-demand set from a big online store. I used their size chart. I added Miso’s name on the back. Cost was $22. It arrived in 4 days.
Miso is a 16-pound Shih Tzu mix with a deep chest and short legs. Peaches is a 12-pound, very round, orange cat who acts like a celebrity. Those body types matter more than I thought.
First Try Fit: Oops
I measured Miso late at night. Big mistake. I wrapped the tape too loose. The first pajama set looked fine laid flat, but it tugged at the armpits. He did that little hop dogs do. You know the one. The maker let me ship it back for a tweak. I paid $6 for return postage. Worth it. If you’re unsure where to place the tape for that initial measurement, this illustrated breakdown walks you through each point so you get it right the first time.
The fast set fit better out of the bag, but the sleeves were long. I trimmed the cuffs with tiny scissors and sealed the edge with clear nail polish. Not ideal, but it worked.
Peaches? She went stiff like a statue when I tried to put hers on. Eyes wide. Tail puffed. I let her sit in the laundry basket with it for a day. The second try went better, but she still wore it for only 15 minutes. Cats are honest.
Fabric, Seams, and Feel
The handmade set felt soft right away. Think t-shirt, but thicker. The seams were flat, and the belly panel sat back far enough so Miso didn’t pee on it. Huge deal. The cuffs were snug but not tight, and the tail opening had a little stretch. No rubbing at the base of the tail.
The fast set had bolder color. The name print looked clean. But the fabric was thinner and slick. After two washes, I saw light fuzz on the belly. Not awful. Just… there.
I will say, the embroidery on the handmade set looked sharp after four washes. The printed name on the fast set faded a shade after three.
Wash Test: Cold, Gentle, Air Dry
I ran both through the same plan: cold water, gentle cycle, a mesh bag, then air dry over a chair. The handmade set did great. No shrink, no twist. The fast set shrank a hair in length. The sleeves pulled toward the seam. Not a deal breaker, but now it sits higher on the back.
If you toss PJs in a hot dryer, you’re rolling the dice. I tried it once by accident. The fast set sleeves got wavy. I sighed and moved on.
Little Things That Made a Big Difference
- The belly snap on the handmade set? Lifesaver for quick potty runs.
- Short sleeves worked better for Miso’s chunky shoulders. Long sleeves kept catching on his dewclaws.
- A wider neck opening made it easy to put on without pulling his ears.
- For Peaches, no sleeves at all was the only way she would even try.
Also, I sprayed the inside with a tiny bit of my blanket spray (unscented, fabric-safe). It made them smell like home. That helped more than I expected.
Real Life Use: Cozy, Photos, Less Hair
Miso wore his moon pajamas on three evenings a week for a month. He curled on the couch and shed less. My black leggings said “thank you.” If digging under blankets is more your pup’s style, you might check out the time my dog tried a pet cave bed for comparison. He also wore them after a grooming visit when he felt tiny and chilly. They kept him calm. Not magic, just comfy.
We did holiday photos too—twinkle lights, cookies, chaos. The pajamas looked cute without yelling for attention. I got one frame where Miso yawned and stretched, and the little chest tag peeked out. That shot lives on my fridge now.
Peaches wore hers for a New Year selfie. Two minutes. One photo. Then she got a treat and left me.
What Bugged Me
- Measuring is stressful if your pet wiggles. Do it when they’re sleepy.
- Sleeves can be tricky. They catch fur and claws if the fit is off.
- Thin fabric pills fast. Cheaper sets look worn sooner.
- Some brands make the neck too tight. Watch that. Breathing comes first.
- Custom returns can take time. Plan ahead if you need a holiday outfit.
Price vs. Joy: My Take
Is it a need? No. Is it a nice-to-have? Yes. For $22, the fast set made fun photos and kept hair off throw pillows. For $38, the handmade set felt better, fit better, and held up better. If you can swing it, the handmade route wins.
If your pup spends a lot of time outdoors in colder months, you might explore an insulated dog house option that tackles the chill in a totally different way.
That said, if your pet hates clothes, save your money. A soft blanket works wonders.
Of course, if you’re scrolling late at night looking for a different kind of companion—one on two legs rather than four—you might wander into the world of casual dating sites like Instabang where you can browse real-time photo feeds, chat instantly, and set up no-pressure meet-ups with singles nearby.
If you’re in Michigan and curious about couple-focused adventures instead of solo dates, check out the local Adrian swingers scene to discover upcoming events, safety tips, and ways to connect with like-minded partners in your own backyard.
Tips I Wish I Knew Before
- Measure twice when your pet is calm. Chest, neck, back length.
- If between sizes, go up one and ask for shorter sleeves.
- Ask the maker about the belly opening for male dogs. It matters.
- Pick short sleeves for broad shoulders.
- Wash cold, gentle, and air dry.
- Let the pajamas sit near your pet’s bed first so they smell familiar.
- For cats, try a sleeveless style and keep wear time short.
For an easy-to-follow video demonstration of those measurements in action, MasterClass offers a helpful tutorial that shows each step up close.
If you need a visual guide for those measurements, there’s a clear step-by-step chart over at Pet Care Services that walks you through the process.
A Quick Compare: Handmade vs. Fast Ship
- Fit: Handmade wins. Custom tweaks help a ton.
- Fabric: Handmade felt thicker and softer.
- Print/Name: Embroidery lasts longer; printed names look bold at first, then fade a bit.
- Speed: Fast ship wins, of course.
- Value: Handmade if you want keep-forever. Fast ship if you want quick cute.
Final Say
I’d buy custom pet pajamas again—for Miso. He seems warmer, sheds less on the couch, and looks like a tiny cloud. For Peaches, no thanks. She prefers her bare fur and a sunny window.
If you’re on the fence, start with a simple, short-sleeve style, and keep your first session short and sweet. Treats help. Patience helps more.
And hey, if you’re like me and grew up with a grandma who knit sweaters for every holiday, these pajamas scratch that same cozy itch—just easier to wash.