How Long Can A Dog Wear A Harness For?
In theory a dog can wear a harness for 24 hours a day however this is not advisable as they can cause skin irritations, matted fur and also be very uncomfortable. Ideally, a dog should only wear a harness when going out for walks, for training or for other activities outside when it will be needed. This time period could be anything from 15 minutes to 3 or more hours. Around the home, a dog collar is sufficient instead of a dog harness.
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Risks Of Your Dog Wearing A Harness All The Time
1. Skin Irritations & Underarm Sores
Skin irritations, especially chaffing, is caused from your dog wearing a harness for too long. These generally occur under your dog’s arms where there is limited fur coverage and protection. To reduce this risk you should consider getting a dog harness with padding.
Another common cause of skin irritation is caused from excessive scratching due to the harness feeling uncomfortable. The itchiness can also be increased by fleas finding their new home to be your dog’s harness or from flies laying eggs under the fabric of the harness. It can also be caused from a build up of skin and hair cells. That is why it is a good idea to give your dog’s harness a periodic washing in mild soapy water to reduce the risk of it being the cause of skin irritations.
2. Uncomfortableness From Buckles, Straps Etc.
A more evident risk of a dog wearing a harness all the time is the uncomfortableness it brings from all the buckles, straps and adjusting devices on it. This is especially the case when your dog is chilling out or lying down. A dog harness could even prevent a dog from lying down as they can not find a comfortable position. For the sake of your dog’s comfortableness you should be removing the harness when it is not in use.
Another worse risk related to uncomfortableness and dog harness buckles is that in the instance that your dog wore a harness to bed/overnight, the buckles and straps could get caught on a crate and become a choking hazard. This is one of the main reasons why your dog should never wear a harness to sleep. I will get into more detail below.
P.S. If you are looking for a super cute dog harness I highly recommend this one here!
3. Matted Fur
Dog breeds with long hair are at risk of getting matted fur from wearing a harness for extended periods of time. Mats form when dog hair becomes tangled and wraps around itself. This creates clumps of live fur and dead fur that gradually become tangled closer and closer to your dog’s skin, becoming more of a risk.
It is very simple to remove mats from a dog’s coat. If you get them early enough you can simply brush them out. I highly recommend this dog hair brush for the job. Alternatively you can take the preventative measure of not leaving your dog’s harness on all the time!
4. Restricts Shoulder Movement
The final most common risk of wearing a dog harness for long periods of time is that it restricts shoulder movement for your dog. In the short term this can be uncomfortable, especially when doing a lot of vigorous exercise. However worse is the long term risk that the harness will warp your dog’s gait.
This is unlikely and the risk can be reduced by properly fitting the harness by adjusting the straps to the perfect length for your dog. Also investing in a high quality dog harness will make the experience of wearing a harness much better for your dog.
5. A Worn Out, Falling Apart Harness
Excessive wearing of a dog harness will make it become old at a much faster rate. The fabric will start to fray and become worn out. A dog is also more likely to start chewing at it as well if it is kept on for too long. To keep your dog harness in the best condition possible for a long period of time, you should only be putting it on your dog for outings. We all know how expensive dog harnesses can be, so they should be taken care of well.
Read Also: Are No Pull Dog Harnesses Worth It?
Can My Dog Sleep In His Harness?
No, your dog should not sleep in his/her harness as it is risky and also very uncomfortable.
While sleeping a dog harness could get caught on something and become a choking hazard. It is a big risk for dogs who sleep in crates where there are plenty of wire bars, latches and hooks that a harness could be caught on. It could also get caught on other dog bed types and things lying around your house.
Furthermore, night time is the perfect time to give your dog a break from wearing a harness. This is especially the case for people who spend many hours out of the house each day.
Read Also: Dog’s Shouldn’t Sleep With Harnesses On. Do This Instead.
What Your Dog Can Wear Instead Of A Harness All The Time
The easiest alternative to your dog wearing a harness 24/7 is to let your dog only wear a collar at home. This is a super simple solution as all dogs have collars and it also means that your dog will still be able to wear his/her ID information tag. If you do need a new collar I highly recommend this highly stylish collar here and if you don’t want your dog to wear an ID tag I suggest an embroidered dog collar.
Alternatively in very hot weather your dog could wear a dog cooling vest instead of a harness. And in polar opposite weather, extreme cold temperatures, your dog could wear a dog coat however dog coats should only be worn outside.
Read Also: At What Temperature Does A Dog Need A Coat?
Need A New Dog Harness? I Highly Recommend These Ones…
1. RUFFWEAR, Front Range Dog Harness, Reflective and Padded Harness for Training and Everyday
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. 100% Recycled Step-in Dog Harness
Find Out The Current Price On Muttropolis Here
3. PetSafe 3 in 1 Reflective Dog Harness
Find Out The Current Price On Chewy Here
4. Load Up™ Dog Car Harness
Find Out The Current Price On Muttropolis Here
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