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The Fabric Dog Muzzle – A Quiet Cruelty

fabric dog muzzle

More and more dog owners are investing in a muzzle for their dog, but what do we really know about a fabric dog muzzle sometimes also referred to as a mesh muzzle or soft muzzle?

Responsible dog owners know that leaving a dog in a hot car is one of the most horrific things that can happen to a pet because they can succumb to fatal heat stroke within minutes. 90% of heat loss in dogs is achieved by panting, when inspired air enters through the nose but is expelled through the mouth. This “tympanic flow” mechanism is very finely balanced and is their primary means of cooling down as air passes across a highly vascularised labyrinth of fine nasal bones called turbinates. So why is this relevant to a fabric muzzle you ask? Because a soft muzzle completely closes the dog’s mouth shut, meaning the dog’s ability to pant is restricted. We will explain more on this below. 

Dog Muzzle use is on the rise 

Thanks to educational programmes and pro-muzzle projects, the many reasons for muzzle use are becoming more widely understood. For example, muzzles are not only good for retraining aggressive dogs but for protecting wildlife and even to prevent unwanted scavenging. Some countries have enacted specific legislation requiring that dogs be muzzled on public transport so in trains, buses and on ferries. But there are good and there are certainly bad designs of muzzles. The challenge is to know which is the safest and most suitable for your dog.

Our concern with fabric or soft muzzles   

The nature of soft muzzle designs means that the dog’s mouth is essentially held shut and their ability to pant is thereby restricted. Even those that claim to allow extra room for panting still do not offer the freedom a dog needs to pant and so control his or her temperature. If worn for longer than just a few minutes, fabric muzzles can cause serious harm to dogs, particularly on walks or any form of exercise, even a visit to the vets or groomers in warm weather could be life threatening. A normal body temperature for a dog is between 38.3°C and 39.2°C but an increase of just a few degrees can cause major distress and then rapid death. We would always recommend using a basket muzzle such as the Baskerville Ultra Muzzle or Anti-Scavenge Muzzle.

So why are countless fabric or soft muzzles still being sold in pet shops and online, worldwide?

Here at Company of Animals we, sadly, continue to meet owners who have opted for fabric muzzles without realising their dangerous health implications. Whatever the reason for muzzling their dog, we understand that owners never intend to be cruel. Interestingly, when asked why this design was selected, many state that it is because they look less “intimidating” than basket muzzles. These are wrong choices that jeopardise the welfare and safety of dogs, to the extent Dr Mugford believes that sale of soft fabric muzzles should be banned.

Let’s work together to educate our peers, stamp out muzzle stigma and see the end to these cruel designs.

The Fabric Dog Muzzle – A Quiet Cruelty ~