We’ve all been there—ordering something online only for it to arrive looking nothing like the photo or fitting nothing like the sizing chart promised. As one dog owner recently found out, our pets aren’t immune to the struggle either.
Paige, a Belgian Malinois owner, shared a “what I ordered vs. what I got” moment on Instagram Threads, where the post has earned more than 55,000 views and 4,600 likes.
In her January 4 post, Paige who goes by @pgeeeeee online, explained that she ordered an extra-large jumper for her dog, noting that “the model dog (90lbs) was wearing [it].”
The side‑by‑side photo Paige posted shows a Labrador—used as the model on the jumper’s website—wearing a burgundy knit, followed by her own Malinois, who typically stands between 22 and 24 inches tall. While the jumper hangs comfortably on the Labrador, Paige’s dog appears tightly wedged into hers.
America’s Pet Spending Keeps Growing
Paige’s clothing mishap taps into a much bigger trend: Americans are spending more on their pets than ever before.
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports that 51 percent of pet owners shop for pet products online, where questionable sizing and misleading photos are notoriously common.
The pet industry itself continues to surge, hitting $152 billion in expenditures in 2024, with $157 billion projected for 2025. Despite economic concerns, 77 percent of U.S. pet owners say financial conditions have not affected their pet ownership.
The American Kennel Club breaks down typical annual dog expenses as follows:
- Food: $446
- Vet care (check-ups, shots): $423
- Travel: $279
- Grooming: $190
- Pet sitting, walking, boarding: $223
- Toys/treats: $217
- Ongoing training: $254
- Dog events: $457
Total annual cost: $2,489
One-time expenses—such as emergency surgery and adoption fees—add an additional $2,127 on average.
With so much money flowing into pet products online, it’s no surprise that sizing snafus like Paige’s cause both frustration and amusement across social media.
Internet Reacts
Paige’s dog quickly became a fan favorite, with commenters flooding the thread with jokes and relatable experiences.
“At least she has the confidence to wear a crop top,” wrote one user.
Another dog owner chimed in: “Dog clothing sizes make no sense! Here’s my Pomeranian Papika in her large size Halloween costume! (medium won’t even be a midriff outfit, it straight up wouldn’t go around her at all!) so as an added bonus, she can feel large and in charge when she’s dressed up.”
“They’re trying to give our pups complexes with clothing sizes now?! UNACCEPTABLE!!” added a third commenter. Paige joked back: “I made sure she couldn’t see the mirror.”
A fourth user summed it up perfectly: “The really big dogs are the biggest babies and they never have clothes in their size.”
Newsweek reached out to @pgeeeeee for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
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