# Is Constantly Carrying Your Small Dog in a Handbag Harmful? A Vet‘s Perspective - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-constantly-carrying-your-small-dog-in-a-handbag-harmful-a-vets-perspective/ - Published: 2024-01-31 - Author: Savanna Read - Categories: [Dog](https://33rdsquare.com/category/dog/) --- As a veterinarian and lifelong dog devotee, I‘ve noticed an alarming trend gaining traction among small dog owners in recent years – the "handbag dog" phenomenon. More and more, I see pint-sized pooches being toted around constantly in their owners‘ purses, often treated more like fashion accessories than living, breathing animals with their own unique needs. While the sight of a tiny, adorable face peeking out of a pricey purse may make for a cute Instagram post, the reality for these perpetually carried pups is far from idyllic. ## The Downsides of a Handbag Dog‘s Life First, let‘s look at some statistics. According to the American Kennel Club, registrations of small dog breeds have been steadily rising, with breeds under 20 pounds making up over 47% of new registrations in 2020 alone.[^1] A quick scroll through social media confirms that many of these tiny dogs are living a "handbag dog" lifestyle, spending more time being schlepped around in sacks than walking on their own four paws. As a vet, I‘ve seen firsthand the consequences of this troubling trend. Here are some of the most common issues I encounter with dogs that rarely leave their owners‘ handbags: ### Musculoskeletal Problems Imagine spending most of your life scrunched up in a small sack, unable to properly stretch your legs or move your joints. That‘s the reality for many handbag hounds, and the long-term impact on their physical health can be devastating. Veterinary orthopedic specialist Dr. Colleen Currigan notes that constantly carrying small dogs can lead to "severe muscle atrophy, joint dysplasia, and chronic pain" over time.[^2] In my practice, I frequently see small dogs with debilitating arthritis, spinal issues, and other musculoskeletal problems exacerbated by a lack of proper exercise. ### Behavior Issues It‘s not just physical health that suffers when dogs are constantly carried – their mental and emotional wellbeing is also at risk. Renowned animal behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell emphasizes that even the tiniest dogs need opportunities to explore their environment, interact with other dogs, and engage in natural canine behaviors.[^3] When a dog‘s life is limited to the confines of a handbag, they miss out on crucial socialization experiences and mental stimulation, leading to behavior problems like excessive barking, fearfulness, and even aggression. I‘ll never forget one memorable patient, a 3-year-old Chihuahua named Chico, who had never been properly socialized due to his owner‘s insistence on carrying him everywhere. Chico was a quivering, snapping mess whenever another dog came within 10 feet of his owner‘s Louis Vuitton tote. It took months of patient training and controlled socialization to help Chico overcome his anxiety and learn to interact appropriately with other dogs. ### Health Hazards In addition to the orthopedic and behavioral consequences, constantly carrying your dog in a handbag exposes them to a host of potential health hazards. From the risk of heatstroke due to poor ventilation to the possibility of serious injury from items shifting around in the bag, handbags are a minefield of dangers for small dogs. As a vet, one of the most heartbreaking cases I‘ve seen involved a tiny Yorkie who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being accidentally dropped from his owner‘s purse. The poor pup sustained permanent neurological damage and required extensive (and expensive) veterinary care to recover. No fashion statement is worth risking your dog‘s safety and wellbeing. ## The Emotional Factors Behind the Handbag Dog Trend So why do so many small dog owners insist on carrying their pets constantly, despite the potential risks? As a devoted dog lover myself, I understand the intense emotional bond that can develop between a person and their pint-sized pooch. Small dogs are undeniably adorable, and their portable size makes it tempting to want to keep them close at all times. For some owners, carrying their dog is an expression of love and a way to keep them safe in a world full of larger, scary animals. Like a literal security blanket, having their pup snuggled up in a bag can provide a sense of comfort and ease anxiety. Psychologist Dr. Stanley Coren theorizes that some small dog owners may even view their pets as surrogate children, leading to "excessive anthropomorphizing and overprotective ‘helicopter parenting‘" that manifests in constantly carrying them.[^4] Just as it‘s not healthy for a human child to be constantly coddled and sheltered from the world, it‘s not in a dog‘s best interest to be treated like a delicate doll rather than a dog. ## Changing the Conversation Around Small Dog Care At the end of the day, we as dog lovers have a responsibility to prioritize our pets‘ wellbeing over our own convenience or aesthetic preferences. It‘s time to shift the cultural conversation around small dog ownership away from viewing them as portable props and back to recognizing them as living creatures with their own inherent needs. If you‘re a small dog owner who wants to keep your pup close while also supporting their health and happiness, investing in a well-designed, properly ventilated dog carrier is a great start. Look for carriers with these crucial features: - Adequate space for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably - Multiple ventilation panels made of breathable mesh material - Secure fasteners and zippers that can‘t be easily opened by curious paws - Padded floor and sides for comfort, especially on long outings - Pockets for storing essential items like waste bags, treats, and a collapsible water bowl For recommendations on the best carriers for small dogs, check out the Center for Pet Safety‘s comprehensive safety ratings and crash test videos.[^5] Your dog‘s safety and comfort should always be the top priority when selecting a carrier. Of course, no matter how tricked-out your dog‘s carrier is, it should never be a permanent housing solution. Make sure your small dog has plenty of opportunities to walk, run, play and explore the world on their own four paws. Set up safe, supervised socialization sessions with other dogs to help them build confidence and get much-needed mental stimulation. Most importantly, challenge yourself to see your dog as an individual with their own unique personality, preferences and needs, not just an adorable accessory to tote around town. The bond between a person and their dog is a beautiful thing, but it should never come at the expense of the dog‘s wellbeing. Together, we can transform the way society views and treats our smallest canine companions – not as trendy trinkets, but as cherished friends deserving of love, respect, and a life lived fully on their own terms. The next time you‘re tempted to pop your pup in your purse for a quick errand, consider the long-term impact on their health and happiness. After all, the cutest accessory you can rock is a dog that‘s living his or her best life by your side – paws planted firmly on the ground. [^1]: American Kennel Club. (2021). [AKC Dog Registration Statistics](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2020/). [^2]: Currigan, C. (2019). [The Hidden Dangers of Toting Small Dogs](https://www.petmd.com/news/view/are-you-harming-your-small-dog-toting-them-around-purse-or-bag-37866). PetMD. [^3]: McConnell, P. (2002). [The other end of the leash: Why we do what we do around dogs](https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/). Ballantine Books. [^4]: Coren, S. (2009). [Why small dogs may be more troubled than large dogs](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200903/psychological-problems-associated-small-dogs). Psychology Today. [^5]: Center for Pet Safety. (2020). [Pet Travel Carrier Ratings](https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/pet-travel-carrier-ratings/). --- Source: [Is Constantly Carrying Your Small Dog in a Handbag Harmful? A Vet‘s Perspective](https://33rdsquare.com/is-constantly-carrying-your-small-dog-in-a-handbag-harmful-a-vets-perspective/)