How To Measure Your Pet’s Chest Girth

Begin your pet measurements by determining the size of your pet’s girth. A pet’ girth is found by measuring the circumference around the rib cage. Have your pet stand up. Ask a friend to feed treats by holding the treats just above your pet’s nose. This ensures that your pet is standing as tall as possible. Hold one end of the measuring tape on the spine, just behind the shoulders. Roll the free end of the measuring tape down along the pet’s side until it reaches the bottom of the widest point of the ribcage, which is located behind the front legs. Wrap the measuring tape underneath the rib cage then back over the opposite side of the body. Join the free end of the measuring tape to the beginning edge where you started, on the spine behind the shoulders. Write down the final measurement you see at the point where the free end touches the beginning edge. This is the chest girth measurement.

How To Measure Your Pet’s Body Length

Determine the length of your pet’s body by measuring between the base of the neck and the beginning of the tail. Have your friend feed pet treats to persuade the pet to stand upright. Begin by placing the beginning edge of the measuring tape at the base of the neck. This is the point where the base of the head joins the neck. Extend the free end of the measuring tape along the length of the spine until it reaches the base of the tail. Write down the number you see where the free end of the measuring tape touches the base of the tail. This is your pet’s length measurement.

Important Tips

Pet apparel fit differently depending on the manufacturer. One manufacturer’s largest size of pet garment may be a medium size for another manufacturer. Determine the appropriate pet apparel size by always checking the sizing chart against your pet’s girth and length measurements before placing an order. When you measure for pet garment, a cloth seamstress’ measuring tape is easiest to use because it’s flexible and can wrap around the pet’s body.