Are clothing on pets necessary?

Necessity? No… Cute? Yes… Some dogs are more prone to get anxiety. Our Chihuahua would run and hide during a thunderstorm or the 4th of July. We put a thundershirt on her and she stays much calmer.

It depends. When I had a Puli, I had his haircut fairly regularly (I refused to deal with cords) and right after every haircut he was cold at night, so he wore a T-shirt.
Friends that have rescued racing greyhounds often put them in sweaters and such like, as a lot of these dogs never really have a chance to acclimate to weather.

Not really.
Before we domesticated dogs and cats (and what have you) they were doing fine, without clothes (they were wearing their fur as their ‘clothes’).
So, no.
But since we have dragged all breeds around the globe, some need an extra sweater now.
Or a funny clowns costume.
For Insta likes.

Dogs with very short hair, like Boxers, Boston Terriers or Chihuahuas with their tiny, skinny legs, don’t do well outdoors in winter, so a sweater is a good idea. Some can also get overheated easily, hence the need to keep them indoors in high temps in the summer. But as for some of the frilly, silly costumes people dress their dogs in, no, not necessary, and imo, it shows a lack of respect for the animal.

Good for you @Blackwater_Park! I don’t have an animal, but I advocate thundershirts whenever I hear someone talking about their scared pups. Some dentists, like mine, have weighted blankets for patients with anxiety. They help! It’s comforting, like a hug.

Depends on the breed and the
Location. A Husky in Alaska, no. A chuauwah (a weiner dog) in Alaska, yes.

I have two elderly chihuahuas from Mississippi that are spending their retirement with me in Wisconsin. Warm clothing is a necessity here.

Since their hair is so short, I might put something on a greyhound to help protect against injury as well as cold.

Bootie is a must have for many domesticated breeds in freezing temperatures. Even huskies must wear them when working, so snow and ice don’t slice pads open.

When it thunders my dog asks us to put her thunder shirt on her. For her thunder shirts are necessary at times.

If you count a life jacket as necessary it certainly is for a dog like mine who doesn’t have a clue how to swim.