13 Best Dog Pajamas, Cute and Comfy

Both Tails Dog Pajamas - best dog pajamas

Written by

Editor at Pretty Fluffy

Updated 10 September 202613 min read

Editor · Dog Lover · Pet Expert

Kosar is the editor of Pretty Fluffy, a lifelong dog lover, and the proud mom of Yuki, a Maltese who has very high standards. So does Kosar. She researches everything obsessively before it ever makes it onto the page.

All articles by Kosar

Some dogs were simply built for pajamas. Maybe yours gets chilly the moment the heating goes off, or burrows under every blanket in the house, or just looks unreasonably good trailing you from room to room like a small shadow in stripes.

Whichever it is, dog pajamas earn their place. They add a layer for short-haired dogs, protect skin that is being scratched raw, keep a surprising amount of loose fur off the couch, and make bedtime feel like an occasion. The catch is that a lot of cute dog PJs fit badly, and a badly fitting pair is one your dog will spend the evening trying to reverse out of.

Below are thirteen picks sorted by the job they do, from bully breeds to big dogs to spring-weight layers, plus how to check the fit before you order. For everything else in the wardrobe, the dog apparel and accessories directory is worth a browse.

Cute Dog PJs for Every Size and Shape

CuteBone Pig Big Dog Pajamas: Best for Large Dogs

Big dogs get badly served by the pajama market, which is mostly built for dogs under twenty pounds. This is the pick that actually goes up to a Labrador. The pig print is genuinely funny on a large dog, and it stays the right side of costume, so nobody will think you dressed the dog up for a party.

Sizing is the thing to get right. On a broad-chested dog, go by the chest measurement rather than the weight bracket, because weight-based sizing tends to run narrow.

Great for: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Pit Bull-type dogs, Standard Poodles, German Shorthaired Pointers, and larger mixed breeds.

Pros: one of the few genuinely large-dog options; light warmth without bulk; the print reads playful rather than costumey.

Cons: full-body coverage is a lot for a dog new to clothes; check chest measurements rather than trusting the weight bracket.

Spark Paws Dog Pajama: Best for Bully Breeds

Bully breeds are the hardest dogs in the world to dress. A barrel chest on short legs means most pajamas either gape at the back or cut in at the front. Spark Paws builds for stockier bodies, and the stretch in the fabric does the rest.

The result is something you can put on for a chilly morning and leave on through a couch nap, which is exactly what you want from an everyday pair rather than a photo outfit.

Great for: French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Staffies, Pit Bull-type dogs, and Boxers.

Pros: cut for stocky, broad-chested dogs; stretchy enough for all-day wear; good weight for short-haired dogs.

Cons: too warm for mild weather; sleeves on all four legs are not for every dog.

PetRageous Designs Cozy Thermal Dog Pajamas: Best for Cold Rooms

Thermal fabric, waffle texture, small dog. These look like tiny long johns and they work like them too, which makes them the pick for drafty houses and dogs who spend the evening relocating to whichever spot is warmest.

They are the warmest pair here, which is the whole point and also the limit. Pair them with a good dog blanket and a thin-coated dog will stop shivering at 2am.

Great for: Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers, Dachshunds, Toy Poodles, Yorkies, Maltese, and senior dogs.

Pros: the warmest option on this list; real thermal texture rather than thin jersey; adds heat without sweater bulk.

Cons: far too warm for a thick-coated dog; built for indoors, not walks.

Boots & Barkley Dog Pajamas: Best for First-Time Pajama Wearers

The cheapest pair here, and that is the recommendation. Plenty of dogs decide within thirty seconds that clothing is not for them, and finding that out on a twelve dollar pair is much better than finding it out on a thirty-eight dollar one.

Light coverage, simple styling, easy to wash. If your dog turns out to love the feeling, you have learned something useful before spending properly.

Great for: Beagles, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Pugs, and small mixed breeds.

Pros: the low-risk way to test whether your dog tolerates clothes; light enough for mild rooms; simple enough for daily wear.

Cons: not warm enough for a genuinely cold house; fit varies by body shape.

Fitwarm Pink and Red Striped Dog Pajamas: Best for Small Dogs

Proper striped pajamas, in pink and red, on a dog the size of a loaf of bread. Fitwarm has a long-standing following among small-dog owners for a reason: the sizing is consistent and the cut leaves room to move rather than pinning the shoulders.

Light enough to be a year-round indoor layer for a toy breed who gets chilly in a room everyone else finds perfectly warm.

Great for: Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, Pomeranians, Havanese, and small mixed breeds.

Pros: reliable small-dog sizing; light layer suitable most of the year; the classic stripe looks like actual pajamas.

Cons: sizing stops well short of large breeds; sleeved, so no good for dogs who prefer their legs free.

Midlee Burgundy Dog Pajamas: Best for a Classic Look

For anyone who finds most dog clothes a bit much. Deep burgundy, no print, no slogan, nothing to explain to visitors. It reads as clothing rather than costume, which means it gets worn on ordinary Tuesdays instead of only in photos.

A good amount of coverage for cooler evenings without tipping into thermal territory.

Great for: Dachshunds, Beagles, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and mixed breeds.

Pros: plain enough for everyday wear; middleweight coverage for autumn and winter; a color that hides fur and stains.

Cons: too much for warm weather; check the back length on a long-bodied dog.

Parisian Pet Velour Pajama Blush: Best for Soft Lounging

Parisian Pet Velour Pajama Blush for Dogs & Cats

Velour, in blush, for the dog who has always understood that the best cushion in the house is theirs. This is the dressed-up option, but the fabric is doing real work: velour is soft against skin, which suits dogs who react badly to anything scratchy.

Sized for small dogs and cats, so a genuine option in a household with both.

Great for: Maltese, Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Havanese, and small senior dogs.

Pros: velour is kind to sensitive skin; the softest fabric on this list; fits cats as well as small dogs.

Cons: pale fabric shows everything; not a pair for muddy gardens or rough play.

Both Tails Dog Pajamas: Best for Simple Bedtime Wear

No print, no frills, no fuss. A plain indoor layer for a dog who wants a bit of coverage and nothing else, which describes more dogs than the pajama market seems to think.

The lack of detail is the selling point. Fewer seams, buttons and trims means fewer things to chew off and fewer places to rub.

Great for: French Bulldogs, Pugs, Beagles, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, Boston Terriers, and small to medium mixed breeds.

Pros: minimal detailing means less to chew or catch; light and unbulky; easy to get on a wriggling dog.

Cons: indoor warmth only; the cut does not suit every broad-chested breed.

BARK Slumber Party Dog Pajamas: Best for Playful Prints

These have BARK's usual sense of humor and they are unapologetically for the photo. Sleepover styling, bright and silly, the kind of thing that gets sent round the family group chat within an hour of arriving.

Best on a dog who already wears clothes happily, because the fitted cut is a lot to introduce to a sceptic.

Great for: French Bulldogs, Corgis, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Miniature Australian Shepherds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pugs.

Pros: the most fun design here; made for photos and pajama mornings; fitted enough to stay put.

Cons: nowhere near subtle; the close fit is not for dogs who dislike snug clothing.

Leveret Dog Cotton Pajama: Best Lightweight Cotton Pajama

Cotton, and that is the point. It breathes in a way fleece and thermal do not, which makes this the pair to reach for in spring, in an air-conditioned house, or on a dog who overheats in anything heavier.

Leveret also does matching human sets, so this is the one to buy if the family pajama photo is the actual goal.

Great for: French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Beagles, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and small to medium mixed breeds.

Pros: breathable cotton works in milder weather; light enough for dogs who dislike bulk; matching human sets available.

Cons: not warm enough for a cold house; cotton shrinks if you wash it hot.

Hanna Andersson Red Holiday Plaid Dog Pajamas: Best for Holiday Photos

The family holiday card pair. Hanna Andersson has built a whole business on matching family pajamas, and the dog version is cut to the same standard rather than treated as an afterthought, which is not true of most novelty holiday sets.

Red plaid, festive without being loud, and the sizing runs large enough for a Golden Retriever.

Great for: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs, Corgis, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and mixed breeds.

Pros: matches the human family sets properly; better made than most holiday novelty pajamas; sizing reaches larger breeds.

Cons: a seasonal buy you will use a few weeks a year; check the size chart closely, it runs specific.

Roller Rabbit Hearts Dog Pajamas: Best for Special Occasions

The most expensive pair here, and it looks it. The heart print is Roller Rabbit's signature and it lands somewhere between sweet and knowing, which is the right register for a dog who is treated as the baby of the family and knows it.

Valentine's Day, birthdays, and the occasional Sunday when somebody deserves spoiling.

Great for: Toy Poodles, Maltese, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Havanese, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, and small mixed breeds.

Pros: a genuinely lovely print rather than a novelty one; small-dog sizing done well; photographs beautifully.

Cons: the highest price on this list; feels like an occasion outfit rather than daily wear.

KYEESE Dog Pajamas: Best for Building a Rotation

If your dog wears pajamas most nights, one pair is not enough, because one pair is always in the wash. KYEESE runs a wide range of prints and seasonal styles at a price that makes owning three reasonable.

Worth noting that fit varies between their styles, so once you find a cut that works on your dog, buy that cut again rather than assuming the whole range fits the same.

Great for: Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and small mixed breeds.

Pros: wide choice of prints and weights; priced for buying more than one; good for small and medium dogs.

Cons: fit is inconsistent between styles; sizing rarely works for large or deep-chested dogs.

Lightweight Dog Pajamas for Spring and Warmer Weather

Almost every dog pajama guide assumes you are shopping in January. Plenty of people are not. Spring, mild autumn evenings and air-conditioned houses in summer all call for a layer, just a much thinner one, and the wrong weight in mild weather is worse than no pajamas at all.

What to look for in a warm-weather pair:

Single-layer cotton or jersey, not fleece or thermal. If you cannot see daylight through the fabric when you hold it up, it is a winter weight. Cotton and jersey breathe; fleece, sherpa and waffle thermal are designed to trap heat and will do exactly that in a mild room.

Sleeveless or short-sleeved cuts. Four covered legs is a lot of insulation. A vest-style or short-sleeved pair covers the belly and back, which is where a thin-coated dog actually loses heat, without wrapping the limbs.

A looser fit than you would choose for winter. Snug is right for warmth. In spring you want air moving, so size for coverage rather than compression.

From this list, the Leveret cotton pajama is the clearest spring pick, with the Boots & Barkley and Fitwarm pairs close behind as light indoor layers. The thermal and fleece options should go away until the weather turns.

One caution worth repeating. Flat-faced dogs such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers already struggle to cool themselves down, and they are also the breeds most often photographed in pajamas. In anything above mild, keep the pajamas for a few minutes of photos and take them straight back off.

How to Choose Dog Pajamas That Actually Fit

The cutest pair is not the right pair if your dog cannot move in it. Fit comes down to body shape first, coat type second, and personal tolerance third, and dogs vary enormously on that last one.

Match the Cut to Your Dog's Body Shape

Large dogs. This is the hardest category to shop, because most brands stop at around twenty pounds. Measure the chest at its widest point and the back from collar to tail base, then buy on those numbers rather than the weight bracket, which almost always runs narrow on a deep-chested dog. A cut sold for big dogs will also have longer legs, which matters more than it sounds.

Long-bodied dogs. Dachshunds and Corgis need back length checked before anything else. Too short and the pajamas ride up into the armpits; too long and they bunch behind the front legs.

Broad-chested dogs. Bulldogs, Staffies and Pit Bull-type dogs are wide at the front and narrow behind, so the chest measurement decides the size and everything else follows.

Small and toy dogs. The main risk is fabric weight rather than fit. A thin layer is usually enough indoors, and it beats a bulky sweater for a dog who wants to curl up small.

Consider the Coat Underneath

Short-haired dogs get the most out of pajamas, because they have the least insulation of their own. Senior dogs and puppies also feel the cold more than a healthy adult.

Thick double-coated breeds such as Huskies, Samoyeds, Newfoundlands and Malamutes are carrying their own thermal layer already. Pajamas on those dogs are a photo, not a garment, and should come off afterwards.

Check the Fit and the Safety Details

Snug, not tight. Nothing pulling at the neck, chest, legs or belly. Your dog should be able to walk normally, stretch out, curl up and go to the bathroom without the fabric interfering, and the bathroom opening is the detail most often got wrong.

Then look at what could come loose. Buttons, bows, dangling trims and drawstrings are all chewable, and a swallowed one is a vet trip. Supervise the first few wears rather than leaving a new pair on overnight.

Your dog will tell you if it is wrong. Freezing in place, scratching at the fabric, chewing at a leg, or reversing determinedly out of the whole thing all mean the same thing. So does heavy panting, restlessness, drooling or moving away from the warm spot, which means too hot rather than too tight. A soft bed goes further than clothing for most dogs, so it is worth reading up on choosing the right dog bed before you buy a fourth pair of pajamas.

Which Pair to Pick

For a big dog, CuteBone is one of very few real options. For a bully breed, Spark Paws is cut for the shape. For a genuinely cold house, the PetRageous thermal pair. For spring and air conditioning, the Leveret cotton. For the family holiday card, Hanna Andersson. And if you have no idea whether your dog will tolerate any of it, start with Boots & Barkley and find out cheaply.

The right pair, in the end, is the one your dog forgets they are wearing. Some take to it instantly. Others need a week, a few treats, and a long hard stare from across the room first.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are dog pajamas actually useful, and does every dog need them?

They are useful for some dogs and pointless for others. Short-haired dogs, small dogs, seniors and puppies all feel the cold indoors and benefit from a layer. Pajamas also protect skin that is being scratched and keep loose fur off bedding. Thick double-coated breeds are already insulated and do not need them.

Which pajamas are most comfortable for dogs?

The most comfortable pair is the one cut for your dog's shape rather than their weight. Look for a soft single-layer fabric, a wide bathroom opening, no drawstrings or stiff trims, and enough room through the chest that the shoulders move freely. Snug is right; tight anywhere is not.

Which dog pajamas are lightweight enough for spring?

Single-layer cotton or jersey, ideally sleeveless or short-sleeved. Hold the fabric up to the light: if none comes through, it is a winter weight. Skip fleece, sherpa and waffle thermal in mild weather, and size for coverage rather than compression so air can still move around your dog.

Can dogs sleep in pajamas?

Most dogs can, provided the fit is comfortable and the fabric is not too warm for the room. Your dog should be able to stretch, curl up, turn over and breathe normally. Supervise the first few nights with a new pair before leaving it on unattended.

How should dog pajamas fit?

Snugly but never tightly, with nothing pulling at the neck, chest, legs or belly. Measure the chest at its widest point and the back from collar to tail base, then buy on those numbers rather than the weight bracket. Weight-based sizing tends to run narrow on deep-chested dogs.

Should dogs wear pajamas in summer, and how can you tell if they are too hot?

Usually not, unless the house is heavily air conditioned. Signs your dog is overheating include heavy panting, restlessness, drooling, warm ears, moving away from blankets, or trying to get the pajamas off. Flat-faced breeds struggle most, so keep theirs to a few minutes for photos.

How often should dog pajamas be washed?

Once or twice a week if your dog sleeps in them, and sooner if they smell, pick up dirt or collect a lot of fur. Wash cotton cool, since it shrinks on a hot cycle, and check that trims and buttons are still secure every time you take them out.

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