The 6 Best Onesies For Dogs Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024 

Has your dog ever worn a onesie? We can probably all agree, these look incredibly cozy. But do dogs like them? Well, it depends on the dog. But one thing that can help get your dog used to clothes is choosing a garment that fits your dog in every way.

Today’s guide is here to help you find the best possible onesie for dogs. To learn everything about these fascinating dog garments, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to form a panel of independent experts and research the most popular choices out there. After months of testing and with the help of our patient puppers, we were finally able to agree on the contents of this guide.

Let's check it out.

Australia's Best Dogs Onesies Reviewed

Ready to see some adorable doggie onesies? Ahead, we share the best dog onesies Australia offers that impressed every member of our team of independent experts with their style, comfort and price point. These are our top picks:

This Dotoner onesie was specifically designed to help dogs recover from things like wounds, rashes, and various skin conditions.

If your dog is compulsively licking or scratching any part of their body, this onesie is here to prevent that. Well, except for the legs because this recovery suit does not have long sleeves. However, unless your dog has a wound or an itchy spot on its leg, that should not be a problem. Moreover, many dogs belonging to our panel of independent experts responded better to sleeveless onesies because the long sleeves can feel extra awkward.

This recovery suit is also a great alternative to a cone after neutering, spaying, or other surgical interventions. That’s because this onesie covers the belly area completely leaving only a small opening on the back that allowed my female dog to go potty. There is an additional opening you can cut out if your dog is male and you want them to be able to pee while wearing this suit.

The onesie is made from a lightweight and very stretchy fabric. This makes the garment feel comfortable to the dog, but it still fits very tight to protect the skin underneath.

We also loved how easy it is to put this recovery suit on your dog. Somewhat like with a step-in harness, my pup just needed to step into the four holes on the legs. Then, I buttoned up the onesie on the back lengthwise. This takes a bit of time, but it’s very easy to do and does not require your dog to move too much in the process.

This recovery suit from MAXX has lots of great features. Most importantly, it is made from a soft, stretchy, and breathable fabric. When it fits right, the fabric will feel lightweight and not too constricting to the dog, but the shirt will always stay in place.

This onesie will also adapt to your dog - to an extent. Unlike our number one choice, there is an additional belly band with a velcro strap which can be used to make the suit fit very snugly across the belly.

A unique feature of the MAXX recovery suit is an internal pouch in the belly area. This can be used to place ice packs in case your dog's condition requires that. There is also an additional zipper on the belly that lets you access the area without taking the whole suit off (in case your pup has a wound on the abdominal area).

Now, for the things our independent team didn’t like: putting on this shirt can be a bit awkward for some dogs - especially those with longer legs. And if your pooch is in pain, they might not be in the mood for this.

Namely, you’ll first need to put the collar part over the head of your dog and then they need to push their legs through the holes designed for that. While the garment is stretchy which makes it easier, not every dog will enjoy this process. Once you get the front legs in place, though, you’re done with the difficult part: the back part of this onesie comes together easily with the help of two quick-release buckles.

The CuteBone Soft Pajamas onesie is the perfect choice for keeping a puppy or a small dog warm. Tiny breeds like Chihuahuas can get cold easily, and this type of soft pyjamas can be a great way to keep them warm.

Although it’s quite affordable, this CuteBone onesie is made from very nice fabric. The fabric in question is polyester minky. It’s super soft, lightweight, warm, it stretches in all the right places and you can wash it in the washing machine (cold cycle recommended, though).

Like with our number one choice, this onesie also has an opening on the belly for potty breaks. There is an elastic waistband around the opening which helps the onesie fit right and stay comfortable no matter what position your pup is in.

Overall, our panel of independent experts could agree this is a great choice for smaller dogs. Combining comfort and cuteness, these colourful onesies can brighten up both your and your dog’s day.

Unfortunately, this product was designed only for small dogs. There are no large sizes available. Keep that in mind when choosing the size, as the “L” is quite small too.

Zed Threadz is a small Australian company selling handmade pet apparel. Adorable and functional, the onesies and coats made by Melissa of Zed Threadz are so cute that you’ll want one for yourself too (Fun fact: you can order matching onesies for you and your pup from this website). 

Related: The Best Winter Coats For Dogs

Everything from Zed Threadz is made to order, exactly according to your dog’s measurements. That’s probably the main reason to choose these onesies - it doesn’t matter how well-made or cute a piece of dog apparel is, if it doesn’t fit right, it’s worth nothing.

I also got to choose from a variety of fabrics and patterns. Lots of colourful options are available to match your pooch’s personality. Like our number three choice, except totally customisable. In terms of fabric, it’s mostly fleece, including polar fleece, coral fleece, alpine fleece and more - choose what suits your four-legged friend’s needs the best.

Machine washable, line drying recommended.

If you are looking for a long-sleeve onesie for your dog but you don’t want one that’s too warm like our number three and four options, then this option from Xqpetlihai is a good choice. Made from thin and lightweight modal fabric, this suit will keep your dog’s whole body protected while also keeping things breezy.

The suit also comes in larger sizes, so it works great as a suit to prevent shedding in double-coated breeds like Huskies. Put this lightweight suit on and keep your car or home hair-free for the time being.

Our team of independent experts also think this suit is a good option for dogs with itchy skin conditions. Similar to our number one choice, fabric is natural, soft, and thin, so it can even feel calming on the skin.

The only downside - putting this thing on your dog. Truth be told, the fabric is very stretchy and it’s surprisingly easy to put on healthy, nimble dogs. But, if you're like me and have an older dog or a dog with mobility issues, getting the suit on can be a difficult process.

Not every dog needs pyjamas, but some do - and love them. If your dog gets just a bit too cold at night, these snuggly pyjamas from FuzzYard are the way to go.

The fabric used is a soft and slightly stretchy polyester to keep things comfortable while keeping your pup warm. The pyjamas are surprisingly easy to put on too, although they do not look that way at the first sight.

These PJs have sleeves too, but they are not too long, more like half-sleeves, which is something we love. They are a tad bit longer than the sleeves for the PJs in our number three spot and provide a bit of extra warmth. But they are not so long that they make walking awkward for the dog.

The PJs can be buttoned down on the chest. I especially liked that there is a large opening on the belly and a bit on the back to allow for easy potty breaks without taking the whole thing off. The opening is surrounded by an elastic band that keeps everything in place. Overall, a great choice for dogs who like PJs!

How I Choose a Dog Onesie

Dog onesies can be useful in a myriad of ways. Some dogs just need that bit of extra warmth, and a cozy onesie can be the perfect way to help them. On the other hand, a special type of onesie, called a recovery suit, can help keep your dog’s skin protected - whether it's a surgery wound, itchy skin caused by allergies, or something else. And that’s not even all:

While onesies can help with all these things, not every onesie will work perfectly for each purpose. You’ll need to consider your dog’s needs when choosing a onesie that’s right for you.

Related: Best Dog Coats

However, there are still some guidelines that can help you find the perfect onesie, no matter if it’s a recovery suit, a shedding protector, or pyjamas you are looking for. Here is what our team of independent experts ask you to think about before settling on a onesie:

Comfort

When choosing any dog garment, making sure it’s comfortable should be the number one priority. If the dog isn’t comfortable, they will hate their new clothes.

To ensure comfort, getting the right fit is of utmost importance. Getting a onesie to fit perfectly can be kind of tricky but refer to our tips in the next section and you should be alright.

Besides getting the right measurements, make sure to consider your dog’s body type and how it will mesh with the shape and features of the potential onesie:

Most of these things are pretty common sense, all it takes to get it right is paying attention to the small details (like zippers and sharp edges, for example).

Fabric

The fabric your dog’s onesie is made of can make a world of difference. Here, again, you’ll need to take into consideration the purpose of the onesie. If you are looking for something warm, fleece will always work well.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a recovery suit for your dog or something to keep the shedding at bay, you’ll want the fabric to be as lightweight as possible as well as breathable. These suits are usually quite stretchy and that’s a good thing because they allow the garment to fit tightly without being uncomfortable.

Putting It On

How will you put the new onesie on your dog? Some dog onesies have an opening on the belly and no zippers or buttons - you have to stretch them and pull your pup’s legs through. With most dogs, this will not be a problem, but there are many reasons why this type of onesie might not be feasible.

For example, dogs that have mobility issues or are recovering from surgery might not be in the mood to go through the gymnastics of putting a classic onesie on. Luckily, there are various recovery suits and onesies available with alternative solutions. For example, some recovery suits button up on the back, so all your dog needs to do is step through the holes.

Ease of Cleaning

You’ll have to wash any clothes your dog wears often. If the onesie you choose is not machine washable, doing the doggy laundry will get quite annoying. Make sure to check the cleaning recommendations - is it machine washable? Can you use a hot cycle? What about the dryer?

How To Measure Your Dog for a Onesie

Of all the clothes dogs can wear, onesies are the most difficult to fit. If it’s a long-sleeved onesie you are buying, you simply have to get every measurement right. There is not much room for error - it will either fit or it will not.

What’s more, onesies and recovery suits are rarely adjustable. They are usually stretchy, but they can adapt to your dog’s body shape only so much before the onesie starts being too tight in some places and too loose in others.

That’s why getting the measurements right can save you a lot of trouble, as our team of researchers quickly learned. These are the typical dog measurements needed to fit a onesie:

Chest Circumference

The chest circumference or chest girth is always measured around the widest part of the chest. Typically, this will be just behind your dog’s front legs. Just take a tape measure and wrap it around, but make sure it is the widest part of the chest.

Typically, the chest circumference will be larger than the back length of the dog. If that's not the case with you, double check your measurements (unless you have a Dachshund or another long breed)

Neck Circumference

Neck circumference is always measured around the base of the neck. Again it’s the widest part. If you put the tape measure too high on the neck, you might end up getting a onesie that it’s too tight around the neck. Definitely not comfy.

Back Length

Back length (or sometimes “body length”) is measured from the base of the neck. Typically, that’s where the collar sits. Measure the distance from there to the base of your dog’s tail.

Leg Length

For long sleeve onesies, knowing the length of your dog’s legs can be important. Measuring the length of the front legs is done starting from the armpit. Stretch the tape measure almost to the floor (or to the spot where the sleeve should ideally end). 

Some manufacturers will have sizing guidelines that are more detailed than others. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if unsure (or make sure you can return the onesie in case it doesn’t fit right).

My Final Thoughts

The best onesie for dogs? For something lightweight and breathable to help your dog with recovery, our team of independent experts suggest you consider the Dotoner Dog Recovery Suit.

If you want to keep your puppy or small dog warm, check out the CuteBone Soft Dog Pajamas. But if nothing seems to fit your dog, consider trying the Zed Threadz onesies custom-made to your dog’s measurements.

References

1. Rodier, L. July 22, 2021. “Dog Recovery Suits Review”. Whole Dog Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2024. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/lifestyle/dog-recovery-suits-review/
2. "Do Dogs Need Sweaters in Winter?". PetMD. Retrieved January 28, 2024. https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_dg_sweaters_for_dogs