Common Dog Sling Questions

I get quite a few questions about Jewel Bird dog slings – which is why I added the dog sling information page to the website – but I wanted to add a few of the most common questions here as a resource for others who might be wondering the same things.

What fabrics do you have to choose from for dog slings?

Jewel bird slings are made with two layers – a lining and an outer sling. With most of our slings, you choose a fabric and it will be paired with a soft, sanded cotton twill fabric.  I like using this fabric because it is soft, durable, strong, and easy to take care of.

The fabric you choose will determine how the sling is finished.  For example, if you choose a flannel fabric, it will be the lining and the twill will be the outer part of the sling.  If you choose a silk, satin, or brocade, it will be used for the outer sling since these don’t work well as linings and the twill will be the lining.  If you choose one of the many different cotton fabrics we have available, you will be able to choose whether you want it for the lining or for the outer sling.  Most people choose to have the patterned or solid cotton as the outer sling with the twill as the lining, but I have had a lot of people prefer to have the cotton as the lining instead.  It’s completely up to you!

Do your slings come in different sizes?

Jewel Bird pet slings are one size and are meant for pets under 10-13 pounds.  Under 10 pounds is ideal, but I say 13 because my parents used one of my slings  for their dachshund, Turbo, when they would take him on 4 wheeler rides and he was 13 pounds.  It was a tight fit for him, but it worked.   Turbo is the dachshund pictured in some of my site images.

As for how the slings fit people, the strap is adjustable, meaning it can be made to fit wearers of many different sizes.

My dog is over 10 pounds.  Can I still order one of your pet slings?

I used to have a category of slings called “Bailey” slings just for bigger pets, but since I don’t get too many orders for them I took that category off the website.  Still, I do occasionally get requests for bigger carriers and am more than happy to take orders for them.  Bailey slings are much like baby slings and can be make pouch-style or with rings to make them adjustable.  If you have a bigger pet and are interested in ordering a Bailey sling, contact me for details.

If you really like the style of our regular slings but your pet is just on the borderline of being too heavy for them, contact me and I can likely make a bigger sling for you, depending on the fabrics you want.  Some of the fabrics I have are very limited quantities and I won’t have enough to make a bigger sling, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Are Jewel Bird pet slings washable?

Yes, our slings are machine-washable.  The only exception is if you order a dark-colored silk or satin brocade and pair it with a light lining.  The silks and brocades can bleed the first time they are washed, so I recommend dry-cleaning these slings if you do not want the dye to bleed onto the lining.  This isn’t a problem if  you have a dark lining.

I recommend hanging slings to dry to prevent shrinkage.

Do the slings have a top closure?

Each sling has a button and loop sewn on that will allow you to close the top of the carrier if you desire.  This doesn’t completely close it in, just holds the top edges of the sling together in the middle.  This is useful if you have a very small pet or if your pet falls asleep in the sling and you want to have them covered.

How soon will I get my sling when I order?

If you order a sling from the in stock dog sling section, your sling will ship within 1 business day, unless you want embroidery or a pocket added (in that case, allow an extra day or two before it ships).  If you order from the custom dog sling section, your sling will be made once you order and choose your fabrics and will ship within 1-3 weeks, although we can usually get them shipped out within a week.

How do I order a sling and what payment options do you offer?

You can order a sling off our main site – Jewel Bird Boutique – where you can shop for in stock slings, made-to-order slings, and other accessories for pets.  You can complete your purchase and pay through our secure shopping cart system.  We accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

Have any questions that aren’t answered here?  Don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll be glad to answer them!