Does your Italian Greyhound itch in clothes? Here's 3 ways to reduce skin irritation
I’ve been there. Watching Twiggy scratch away wearing clothes I just bought her. She was clearly uncomfortable. And the truth is, I wouldn't wear something that made me uncomfortably itchy, so why would I put her through it?
A big motivation for me starting The Hound Edit, other than Twiggy's leg break, was to find a way to ditch the itch when Italian Greyhounds need an extra layer. If Twigs was struggling, I felt others must be too.
Here's what we found in our research...
Before we launched, I carried out research with a group of Italian Greyhounds from our community and it quickly became apparent that many struggled with scratching - high up there with badly fitting jumpers, which sadly was the cause of Twiggy's leg break.
The reality is, many dog clothes aren’t designed with our Italian Greyhounds' sensitive skin and thin fur in mind, especially those which are low-quality formed of scratchy fibers and impurities.
Add strong detergents and it's a recipe for scratching, even if the fabric feels fine to us humans.
So, what are we doing about it?
For almost three years, I searched for a fabric that would reduce irritation. It needed to be super soft, breathable, provide warmth, durable to last, kind to the planet, and ideally made here in the UK (no wonder it took us so long!)
Until, I found it: our fleece-lined organic cotton that's as functional as it is beautiful.
Here’s what makes it different:
- 'Combed' cotton: You might be picturing us combing away in the studio, but the cotton is actually combed before it's spun into yarn. This clever process removes scratchy short fibers and impurities, leaving the material smooth, soft, more breathable, durable, and far less likely to irritate skin. It will also be less prone to 'piling' - those little fuzz balls that form on jumpers with wear.
- It's organic: The cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or other toxic chemicals which is typically found in conventional cottons, making it gentler for dogs. There's many other benefits to organic for our dogs and the planet as well which we could talk about for days, but I'll leave that for another day of journalling.
- Locally woven: The fabric is made at a high-end boutique mill in the UK, where the focus is on quality.
Our chic Italian Greyhound jumpers, The Steve and The Jean-Pierre, are designed with this beautiful fabric.
The proof is in the pudding
We heard from Luna and her Dad who got their paws on The Steve,
"Luna immediately settled in it - we often find she tries to dislodge clothes we put her in...we think because she finds them itchy but not The Steve. It's such a lovely soft material."
It’s stories like this that remind me why we worked so hard to find the perfect fabric.
You'll also find the unmatchable quality of the fabric has been picked up on by others in the community in the reviews of The Jean Pierre here.
Extra tips to help with scratching and irritation
- Even with the perfect fabric, how you care for it matters. I always recommend using a mild, pet-safe detergent when washing clothes. Harsh chemicals can undo the benefits of soft, skin-friendly fabrics.
- If the conditions allow, give your little one a break from their jumper to run nakedly free at home.
I'll always say I'm happiest when Twigs is in her birthday suit, but when she does need a layer, I want to make it the most comfortable experience for her.
I’d love to hear your experiences. Have you had similar struggles with irritation? Pop me a message on the chat or on Instagram!
