How to Measure Your Dog for a Nappy

Dog nappies fail for one of two reasons: they leak, or they come off. Both are fit problems, and both are solved before you buy rather than after. It takes two minutes.

Where to measure

You want the waist, not the chest, not the ribcage, and not the widest part of the body. The waist is the narrowest point of the abdomen, just in front of the hind legs and behind the ribcage.

1. Have your dog stand naturally on all four legs. Measuring a dog who is sitting or lying down gives you a number that is too large.
2. Run a soft tape measure around the abdomen just in front of the hind legs.
3. Pull it snug but not tight — you should be able to slide two fingers underneath.
4. Take the measurement in centimetres or inches and write it down.

No soft tape? Use a piece of string, mark it where it meets, and hold the string against a ruler.

Our size guide

• XS — waist 16 to 33cm (6.5 to 13 in)
• S — waist 23 to 40cm (9 to 15.7 in)
• M — waist 34 to 58cm (13.5 to 22.7 in)
• L — waist 41 to 70cm (16 to 27.5 in)

If your dog is between sizes

Take the larger one. Our nappies have adjustable snap fastenings with an extra loop, so a size that is slightly generous can be taken in. A size that is slightly small cannot be let out, and a nappy worn too tight will be chewed off within the hour or will rub.

Why breed is not a reliable guide

People ask what size a Cocker Spaniel takes. There isn't an answer. Two Cockers of the same age can differ by 10cm at the waist depending on build, weight and whether they have been spayed. Body shape varies even more between breeds of similar weight — a Whippet and a French Bulldog might weigh the same and need different sizes entirely. Measure.

Getting the fit right on the dog

Once it arrives, three things are worth a minute of attention:

• The tail hole. The tail goes through the elasticated opening, not under it. This sounds obvious and is the single most common fitting error.
• The waist. Snug enough that two fingers fit underneath. Looser than that and it will migrate backwards and leak at the front.
• The leg openings. They should sit flat against the leg without pinching. A nappy that has been pulled too far forward will gape at the back.

If it still leaks with a correct fit

Usually one of these: the nappy has been left on too long and reached capacity; the absorbent pad has been washed with fabric softener, which coats the microfibre and permanently reduces absorbency; or the nappy has rotated. If your dog is very active, check the fit after the first hour.

How many do you need?

Three, which is why we sell them in threes — one on, one in the wash, one dry. A season lasts around three weeks, so a single nappy means washing daily.

See our washable dog nappies — available in a patterned or plain colour three pack, sizes XS to L.