Skip to main content

6 summer bandanas for your dog to liven up the season in style

Will your dog go for the tropical palm tree bandana or prefer to stick to a muted solid?

Four Australian shepherd dogs sitting while wearing bandanas
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You and your dog can rock out with just a simple accessory: bandanas for dogs. Because these only go around their necks like a collar, most pups don’t mind, and it can even be fun for both of you. This summer, go all out by choosing a themed style for your animal (or take it another step further and match your outfits).

Beach

Hitting up the shore this summer? Your dog can look the part, too. Dress your pup up with a tropical-themed bandana for an easy way to get beach chic. This outfit can also be functional since you may want to protect them from the sun. Try out a slightly larger size and block a few rays.

Recommended Videos

Travel

If your little bud comes with you on vacation, get extra into your adventures by decking them out in the style of your destination. Perhaps you’ve decided to hit up “The Big Apple” and can dress them in an “I Love NY” bandana or you want to give them a Disney princess-themed scarf for a trip to sunny Florida.

America

Just in time for the Fourth of July, stock up on your America-inspired outfits. Flag code states that you should never wear the symbol but you can instead look for a red, white, and blue design. Alternatively, find other ways to celebrate the country by using patriotic images, such as national parks or historic monuments.

National Pet Month

National Pet Month

The month of May is a time to celebrate pets. Take this opportunity to highlight your favorite cause like National Dog Mom Day (May 14) or National Rescue Dog Day (May 20). Another idea is to get your pet’s name embroidered on a bandana of your choice to make it unique to them.

Animals

Instead of putting the spotlight on pets, try finding another animal to adorn your furry friend. They might look cute in a cat-themed bandana or perhaps one covered in unicorns. No matter what you decide, your fur baby will love being able to support their fave species (after dogs, of course).

Colors

Bandanas feature bright colors and patterns, but you can also stick with more muted pastels or neutrals to match your animal’s coat. For example, a bright yellow could look especially boss on a black Lab for contrast or a beige might blend in nicely on a Shiba Inu. Don’t forget to try rainbow and tie die, which is a reliable staple.

Not all dogs like wearing clothes and you should make sure your furry friend enjoys putting on an outfit before you invest in a full summer set of bandanas. However, most pups don’t mind, just as wearing collars or harnesses doesn’t bother them. One other important note: Wash your pet’s garments in between wearings, but be mindful that they may have sensitive skin and aren’t used to soap and fabric softeners. If a recently washed bandana looks itchy, try more natural products or pet-friendly detergents.

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
This is the fastest dog breed (and more that are runners-up)
The 10 fastest dog breeds (and who would win in a race)
Greyhound running, shot is head on

Some dogs seem to take their sweet time getting from point A to point B. There's nothing wrong with this trait — we could all stop and smell the roses now and then (and beagles sure love to smell those and more). Yet, others seem always to be orchestrating a high-speed chase or acting like a lifelong New York City resident trying to catch the subway.

You may watch your dog at the park or in your yard and think you're raising the fastest creature on four feet. Are you? There are many speedy pups, but only one is the fastest dog breed. We'll reveal which breed has a valid need for speed, plus a few more that would make a race interesting.
Fastest dog breeds in the world

Read more
How to find the shelter dog that fits your lifestyle
Choosing the perfect shelter pup
Young woman choosing dog at a shelter

So, you’ve decided to welcome a shelter dog into your heart and home. Good for you! Too many people buy into the myth that if you adopt a pet from a shelter, you’re inheriting someone else’s problem. The truth is that most dogs end up in shelters because of human problems such as divorce, abandonment, or families having no time for the dog.

Most shelter dogs are happy, healthy, and well-behaved pets. They're just waiting for someone like you to offer them a loving home! Finding a shelter dog that fits your lifestyle does take time, but in return, you get to share your home with a devoted companion. But how can you know which shelter dog is the one for you?
Why you should adopt a dog from a shelter

Read more
The best hunting dogs to have by your side
These guys can hunt prey or chew toys
Profile of a drooling Irish setter

Most likely, your dog's jobs include lying on the sofa, getting pets, and barking at the neighbors. But in the past, they may well have had an important place in working society. We often split dogs into categories based on which particular duties they performed, like the herding or working breed groups. Hunting dogs, however, stand out as their own unique set of dogs, and the breeds that fall under this umbrella might span a few different types. Whether you want a hunting companion or just love these dogs for their refined characteristics, here are the best hunting dogs.
Types of hunting dogs

Hunting different animals requires different traits, so we must further break down the little predators.
Bird dogs
These guys hunt with their people and include pointers and retrievers. While pointers point with their noses, retrievers fetch and bring back the prey. Lastly, flushers get birds to fly out, so they they're easier to find.
Hounds
You likely know what a hound looks like as this class of pup holds a strong place in our hearts. Broken down into two subgroups, scent and sight, hounds do the hunting on behalf of their owners by tracking or spotting their prey.
Curs
Beloved to early Americans, these beasties learned a technique called "treeing," where they would back the prey, usually a raccoon, into a tree for easy grabbing.
Terriers
Once these guys are off on the hunt, you might miss them entirely because their chase often takes them underground in search of rats and foxes.
Best dogs for hunting

Read more