A lot of the country is going through a deep freeze right now, but you still need to take your Dog outside to relieve himself or for exercise. So you may be wondering if you should put a Coat or sweater on him when it’s cold outside. While some people scoff at the idea of putting clothes on animals, there are several good reasons why you may want to reconsider. Here are my top 5 reasons why you should get your dog a coat this winter.
Size and breed
Obviously dogs with long, thick coats and/or an undercoat are built for being out in the cold more than short-haired breeds. A stout, muscular dog is going to stay warmer than a dog that is thin and has a short coat. In fact, those cold weather dogs such as Huskies and Malamutes, for example, are like to get overheated if they are dressed.
Then there are tiny dogs like chihuahuas, etc., that simply are not equipped to be out in the cold. Of course you need to dress them up in a warm coat or sweater. For example, my chihuahua mix, Chuey, always needs a sweater when the temperature is below 50 degrees. But he has short hair and not much of it. This time of year I’ll often find him in bed underneath the covers.
Age
Young puppies are more susceptible to the cold because they have not yet developed their full coat of hair to keep them warm. Also, older dogs lose their ability to handle the cold as they age, just like people do. As a responsible pet owner you need to be sure that your dog is as comfortable as possible in cold and snowy weather.
Your Dog’s Health
When we humans are sick or injured, our resistance is lower than usual, and it is the same with our dogs. Keeping your pet warm and comfortable in cold weather is beneficial to his health and well being.
Incentive Boost
While some dogs enjoy romping out in the cold, others are hesitant to set foot outside the door when it’s freezing or there is snow on the ground. My Chuey is definitely one of those. Even though we live in Arizona, it does get chilly this time of year and he needs that extra layer of warmth when we go outside. Without it he tends to want to run right back inside. So if your dog is reluctant to go outdoors, then you should bundle him up in a nice warm sweater or jacket.
This may sound silly, but also for dogs who don’t enjoy the cold weather you might even consider putting boots or socks on their feet. Their feet get cold too. Also it helps protect the pads of their feet from the salt and snow removal agents that may irritate their paws.
Observation
If you’re unsure about whether or not to put a coat or sweater on your dog, observe his/her behavior. If the dog is shivering or wants to burrow under a blanket, then you should dress him accordingly. Some dogs even require a light sweater indoors during the winter.
You should choose a style and fabric according to your dog’s needs. For example, if you go outside in the rain and snow then a water-resistant fabric may work best. For extra warmth, consider something made with warm fleece or wool.
If your dog has never worn a coat before, you may have to be patient when putting it on for the first time. Be gentle and use treats to reward them once its on. Once your dog begins to understand how it makes her more comfortable when out in the cold, she should get used to wearing it and may even be excited to put it on.
It isn’t officially even winter until next week, so there are probably a lot of cold winter days ahead of us yet. Please be a responsible pet parent and keep your dogs warm and comfortable. How do you feel about dressing up your pets? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us all about it.
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