Cat & Dog Embroidery Designs – How to Stitch Perfect Pet Projects

Do you wish you could personalize your pet’s coats, bandanas, or collars by putting their names on them?

Let’s discuss machine embroidery for pets. We will cover some cautions to keep in mind while embroidering. Plus, I’ll share some fun ideas you should try!

Pet Embroidery Designs

Machine Embroidery Pet Accessories

Small Embroidered Accessories for Your Furry Friends

These would be anything your pet wears for identifying, protection or fun.

• Pet collars – Of course, these are the most common items to identify the animal’s name. Collars can also have helpful information such as:
  • Owner name and number
  • Cautions like blind. deaf, or bite risk 
  • Contact me here
  • Service Animal
• Pet tags
• Herbal pet collars- can be stuffed with natural flea and tick repellant.
• Collar Covers – these can be washed and changed out for the season. Also great when you cannot embroider on a thick webbing
• Earmuffs
• “Elizabethan Collars” (yes, the dreaded collar of shame put on animals after surgery or to prevent over-grooming. These are now found in “stuffie” form and can be pretty humorous.
• Bandanas – decorative to change with the seasons or displayed with your pet’s name on it 

Embroidered Clothing for Animals

Though first used to identify the animal with its owner in the late 1800s, pet fashion is a multi-billion dollar business. You probably did not know that New York Fashion Week has a show for pet wear.

Here are some things you might see:

• Coats or wraps to keep warm
• Protective wear for the weather
• Show wear to keep grooming neat and clean
• Booties for tiny feet

All Things Embroidered and Pet Needs

We do not have enough time to think about all the potential items you can make, but they can be embroidered if it is made of fabric, leather, vinyl, or other fabric-like materials! Here is an idea of the wide range you might find.

• Blankets
• Cage covers
• Drool cloths (any Great Dane owners? This is for you!)
• Flags to show your pet pride
• Portable drinking bowls- can be folded up and snapped shut. These are not meant to be used every day and not meant to hold water for long periods, but they are lovely for a quick drink.
• Food bowls – great for dry food because they can be washed and reduce the chance of pet acne.
• Toys such as stuffed animals, fold up frisbees etc.
• Catnip stuffies
• Dog poop bag holders
• Pet treat bags
• Pet leashes – these can tell people information such as “caution dog at work” or “please don’t pet.” 

Create Your Own Personalized Pet Embroidery Designs

Want to create your own custom pet embroidery designs? With the Design Doodler, it’s easier than ever!

Whether it’s your furry cat, loyal dog, or any other pet, you can bring them to life in stitches! There is no digitizing experience needed. Simply sketch, trace, or upload your ideas, and let the Design Doodler handle the rest. It’s the perfect tool for adding a personal touch to your embroidery projects!

Machine Embroidery For Pets: Cautions

Everything appears fine until someone gets hurt, right? Unfortunately, there are some cautions you will want to keep in mind.

Not unlike embroidery for babies, pets are curious creatures and will investigate everything around them. Consider anything that someone can pull off, pick at, or that may pose choking or other hazards. Here are some considerations you will want to keep in mind.

• Dangling ribbons, strings, bells, buttons, etc.
• Choke hazards – You know your pet, but you may not be considering other outside factors. That squirrel that runs along the fence line, and the little dog shimmying under the fence, can all cause your pet to react in ways you didn’t realize. Make sure your collars, clothing, etc., all have a “breakaway” feature, so they are not hung up on a hazard and risk being choked.
• Thread- especially for cats, thread is a potential hazard. Make sure to keep your stitches shorter so you do not snag threads in your design and make tails that might be chewed on or pulled out
• Chemicals- when using sprays, treatments, paints, and more, always check the label so that there are no harmful chemicals.
• Room to breathe and move! Make sure when you create your doggie designer suit that it fits correctly and allows Fido to run and play
• Cats do not generally like clothing put on them, so don’t be disappointed if they turn their nose up to that stylin’ hat!

Conclusion: Embroidery You’ll Be Mutts For

We’ve covered a lot! Hopefully, this article has helped to start getting some ideas going! Here are some things we covered which are paws-itively important to keep in mind:

• Always think safety! You love your pet and want what’s best for them.
• The sky’s the limit! If a famous fashion designer can have a runway show, so can you and your best friend!
• Remember that pet designs are not just for clothing; they can be used on accessories, dishes, flags, and more.