As you zip your down coat up under your chin to keep out the cold, harsh wind, you happen to glance down at your dog. It’s logical to think that if you need this heavy coat to keep warm, they probably need something too, but is that necessarily true? While Mother Nature provided dogs with a built-in coat, they are not all created equal.
Do dogs need coats in winter? The short answer is that depends on a few factors.
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- Type of hair coat: First of all, you need to look what type of hair coat your pup has. Is it long, short, thick, or thin? Many dogs have what’s called a double coat which includes a thick, almost wooly undercoat. Huskies, Newfoundlands, Malamutes, and some Border Collies have this type of coat, just to name a few. These dogs are specially adapted to be outside in cold and snow without any additional protection. Also, water and hunting breeds like Labradors have thick, more water-resistant hair that typically doesn’t require a winter cover. However, if your pup has shorter or thinner hair, like a greyhound, pitbull, or Vizsla, a coat may in order.
- Your dog’s size: Larger dogs are less likely to need coats than smaller dogs. This basically comes down to body heat generation-smaller dogs have smaller heaters. They’re also closer to the ground, so when it comes to wet and cold, they’re right in the thick of it. Now there are some small dog breeds, like the Pomeranian, that have thick, long hair, but they may still require a coat to keep them dry more than warm.
- Age of your dog: Have you ever noticed how a person’s cold tolerance seems to change with age? Babies and the elderly tend to need more bundling, the same is true for dogs. Puppies and older pooches may need a little extra insulation since they can’t regulate their tempertures as efficiently, while adults of the same breed may be free to run naked in the cold and snow.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, like cancer, kidney or heart disease, and arthritis, can decrease a pup’s cold tolerance. So even though these dogs may have thick, long hair coats, their blood pressure may be lowered, they may have not sufficient body fat, or they may have ailments that are made worse by falling temperatures and would, therefore, benefit from wearing a coat.
- The temperature outside: Obviously, there’s a noticeable difference in the way that 45 degrees feels versus 20 degrees. Throw in wind or rain/snow and it’s a different feeling altogether. Some pups may be fine at 30 degree temperatures but not fine if there’s a 10 mph wind. Slipping your dog into a coat may be necessary as the temperatures drop, the winds pick up, or if there’s any precipitation.
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How to Choose the Best Winter Coat for Your Dog
If you decide that your pup needs a coat for winter, whether it be for quick potty breaks or long snow-bound hikes, be sure you choose the right coat to make sure your pooch is properly insulated. Choosing the right coat may seem easy, but there are many factors to consider.
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It’s important that any coat that you choose for your dog fits properly to ensure that it provides the right amount of warmth and breathability without being uncomfortable or too warm. Depending on the type and style of coat that you’re choosing, you will need to take a couple of different measurements, most commonly the neck circumference, girth, and body length. Some coats may want a leg length and waist measurements as well. Refer to the sizing recommendations in the product that you choose and then take those recommended measurements.
This video will give you a visual of those measurements. Start with your pup standing and with a fabric or pliable measuring tape, measure around the neck roughly where a collar would go. Next, measure the girth or the widest part of the chest. This is usually just behind the shoulder blades. You can measure the body length by starting at the collar and measuring to where the tail attaches to the body. For more fitted coats, you may also want to take a measurement around the narrowest part of your dog’s waist. Knowing an approximate weight is also helpful in choosing the best size for your dog’s new coat.
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Once you get accurate measurements on your pup, you can check with the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommended size. Check to see if the coat is supposed to fit loosely or more snuggly. Generally speaking, a looser fit will allow more air circulation to prevent overheating, while a fit that is snugger will keep heat in closer to the body. Make sure that there are no areas that rub on your dog’s body or that have large gaps were legs, toes, etc can get caught.
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To refine your decision even more, it’s important to think about the material that a dog coat is constructed from. First think about what you’re trying to achieve with the coat. Is the coat for warmth only? Do you want waterproofing or wind blocking capabilities, or do you just want to try to keep your pup clean? Sometimes it can be all of the above. If you’re looking for overall warmth with no need for water or wind resistance, fleece is an excellent choice. It’s warm and breathable and comes in various thickness so you can choose a light layer for warmer days or longer hair coats or a thicker layer for subzero temperatures and short, thin hair coats.
If there is a chance that your pooch will get wet, look for a coat with a waterproof outer shell. These coats can simply be an outer shell or can come with various thicknesses of insulation underneath. A waterproof coat often works great to block wind as well. If you’re not looking to necessarily keep your dog warm, you just want to keep the mud off, there are raincoat style dog coats that are a thin water-resistant layer without insulation to help keep your pup clean.
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There are almost as many styles of dog coats as there are coats meant for humans. Design not only deals with color and pattern, it also deals with movability, ease of use, and security. You’ll need to take your pup’s personality and specific needs into consideration when choosing a dog coat design. If your dog is overly active and not easily manhandled, or has painful arthritis, choose a coat that is easy to get on and off. You don’t want anything that you have to slip legs, bodies, heads, etc, into. Rather you’ll want something that wraps around these body parts and secures snuggly.
Also, if your pup is active, you’ll want a coat that doesn’t restrict their movement. Coats with full-length leg coverings might not be the best decision. On the other hand, you may have a smaller breed that needs the warmth and protection of a full-length leg covering.
Next look at how the coat secures to your dog. You won’t want a lot of straps to do up and adjust each time you put it on. Otherwise, your dog and you might grow restless with it and tend not to use it as much. You want straps that are easily adjusted and buckles that you can quickly secure without pinching skin or hair. Beware of Velcro if you have a longer haired dog as it can easily stick to and mat that fur.
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The best way to ensure that you have the perfect dog coat is to use it. Sometimes you might not be able to decide if a coat is going to work until your dog has worn it several times. Having a quick and easy return policy is a must for dog coats. You don’t want to be stuck with a coat that your dog doesn’t like, doesn’t work easily, and that just sits in the closet rather than on your dog.
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After you’ve found a coat that meets the above requirements, it’s time for the fun part-picking the color or pattern. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of dog coats on the market, so with a little research you can find one that is first and foremost functional and secondly that looks appealing. Find a color or pattern that displays your and your dog’s personality, but also find one that has safety features like reflective tape on it to improve visibility.
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The 9 Best Dog Coats on the Market 2020 – Reviews and Comparison
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of dog coat choices out there, here’s a review of the nine best dog coats for 2019. Again, keep in mind your dog’s and your specific needs when choosing a dog coat.
1. Kuoser Cozy Waterproof Windproof Reversible British Style Plaid Dog Vest Winter Coat
- Best for warmth and water/windproofing
- Material: polyester filling and terylene/cotton outer shell
- Weight: heavy
- Warranty and return policy: Coats are easily returned within 30 days of purchase. Buyer pays return shipping unless the coat is damaged or defective.
This dog coat from Kuoser offers your dog not only warmth and water resistance, but style as well. A reversible coat, it features a water-resistant solid color side and a warm and soft plaid side. It also has easy on and easy off hook and loop closures and a hole for harness access.
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Dog parents really like the look and fit of this coat as well as the easy on and easy off ability. It kept dogs warm and helped block the wind, rain, and snow for all day play.
A couple of downsides would be that it seems to run small with an XL size fitting only a 35 pound dog, so if you’re pup is a larger breed, this coat is a no-go. There was also some variation in the quality as some coats just didn’t hold up and even arrived with loose threads hanging from it. So if your dog tends to be hard on equipment, you may want to choose a more durable option.
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2. JoyDaog Two Layers Fleece Lined Winter Coat for Small Dogs
- Best for warmth and wind resistance in small dogs
- Material: polyester outer shell, fleece lining
- Weight: heavy
- Warranty and return policy: Free returns depending on where you purchase it from.
This dog coat from JoyDaog is for small breeds only. The two layers of fleece provide necessary warmth and the outer shell provides wind resistance for those blustery days. This coat has a hole for leash or harness connection.
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The most positive attribute of this coat is the warmth it provides for small dogs and the look. It is tailored to fit snuggly and most dog parents agree that it looks like it was made specifically for their pup.
However, dog parents were not happy with the snap-style closure underneath the belly as it can be hard to get to in smaller dogs. The front legs also have to slip through which can be a bit more time consuming and difficult to put on. Also, this coat is long underneath which means that male dogs are going to have a hard time not urinating on it.
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3. Vecomfy Fleece and Cotton Lining Extra Warm Dog Hoodie
- Best for warmth and wind resistance, including ears and head
- Material: polyester outer shell, fleece and cotton lining
- Weight: medium
- Warranty and return policy: This item is returnable based on where you purchase it from but you may have to pay return shipping.
A warm and wind resistant dog coat that also features a hood to keep ears warm as well. This fitted coat has a soft lining and snap closure with elastic around front legs and waist to keep the cold and wind out.
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The hood on this coat is a definite plus if you have a pup whose ears tend to get cold. The soft lining will keep them warm and looking good at the same time.
Having actual holes for the front legs to go through can be a challenge, as can snapping this coat underneath the belly. There also seems to be an issue with quality control as some items arrived damaged and seams unraveled with minimal use.
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4. Idepet Cotton Adidog Large Dog Clothes
- Best for chilly, not cold days or just as a fashion statement
- Material: cotton
- Weight: lightweight
- Warranty and return policy: free returns depending on where you purchase
For a fashionable spin that offers a little warmth on chilly days, the Idepet dog sweatshirt may be for you. This lightweight cotton shirt will help provide a little warmer up without bulkiness for brisk fall or late spring mornings. It could also work well for longer, thicker coated breeds that just need a light layer.
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This is a great jacket for larger dogs that just need a little extra warmth. Dog parents also enjoy the clever play-on brand name and logo of the shirt. The fit is a little bit baggy meaning that you don’t have to measure as accurately to ensure that your dog will fit.
The logo on the shirt doesn’t hold up well to washing and actually starts to peel away with repeated use. It also tends to be long on the underside of the belly so you may need to adjust it for male dogs to keep the urine off.
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5. PAWZ Road Dog Plaid Hoodie Coat for Medium and Large Dogs
- Best for added warmth in large dogs
- Material: polyester Sherpa
- Weight: heavy
- Warranty and return policy: free returns depending on where you purchase
A thick, warm alternative, the upgraded version of this dog coat from Pawz features a Sherpa lining as compared to the flannel of the older version. It has a snap closure and detachable hood to keep cold ears snug and warm.
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This Pawz coat is a great choice for larger dogs and it is thick enough to handle extreme cold temperatures. The detachable hood is a nice little extra as it can provide warmth to your dog’s head and ears on those extra cold days or it can be easily removed so as not to be a nuisance when it’s not needed.
Be careful with the sizing of this coat as it seems to run small. If you have any issues with measuring your pup, refer to the video or contact the manufacturer for their recommended sizing. Also, the snaps don’t seem to hold up well and can actually break after a just a couple of uses.
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6. Baja Poncho Handmade Dog Poncho from Mexican Serape Blanket
- Best for dress-up, fun, anxiety reduction, and to provide some warmth.
- Material: polyester and acrylic
- Weight: lightweight
- Warranty and return policy: 100% money back with free returns
For a fun and festive costume or to help relieve anxiety during a thunderstorm, this dog poncho will do the trick. This poncho features Velcro closures around the neck and chest so it’s easy on and easy off. The bright colors and handmade quality add to its appeal.
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Dog parents love the look of this coat. It’s a great fit for small breeds that just need a little extra layer or just want to look cute. It also does seem to help relieve anxiety the way that a Thundershirt or vest does.
Velcro closures plus hair can equal a matted nightmare or clogged Velcro that no longer sticks together. That is exactly what dog parents with longer haired breeds experienced after a couple of outings in these ponchos. The sizes also tend to run on the small side.
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7. Scheppend Original Adidog Dog Hoodie Sweatshirt
- Best for dress-up and full body warmth for all sizes of dogs.
- Material: cotton with Sherpa lining
- Weight: medium
- Warranty and return policy: free returns depending on where you purchase
This hooded sweatshirt from Scheppend features full length leg covers for all four legs giving it the appearance of a human jogging suit. It also features the catchy play-on brand and logo. It will help add a little warmth to your pup on chilly days while having them looking great.
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Dog parents love the way their pups look in this suit and why wouldn’t they? With a hood and four legs, it gives them a fashionable appearance. It also provides a little barrier to the cold and definitely would keep a dog clean.
Read carefully on this product as the label states handwash only, otherwise the logo will peel off. Many disappointed dog parents found this out the hard way. You also need to measure carefully to make sure you get a correct fit and be cautious with male dogs getting urine on it.
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8. MIGOHI Reflective Waterproof Windproof Reversible Stormguard Winter Dog Coat
- Best for weather extremes including cold, rain, wind and snow in all dogs of all sizes.
- Material: terylene waterproof outer shell and fleece and cotton lining
- Weight: medium
- Warranty and return policy: 100% money back guarantee and free returns
A dog coat for all weather extremes to keep your pup warm and dry. This coat is waterproof, windproof, thick and warm and will keep your pup clean and dry. It features a magic sticker strap to securely fasten it around the chest without the worry of catching hair or pinching skin. The back of the coat is securely held with the help of elastic straps around the hindlegs. There is also a zippered closure for harness access.
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This coat seems to hold up well to the elements and keeps dogs warm and dry. The little additions like the zippered harness access slit are nice as well so that there isn’t a gaping hole left in the coat that would let cold in.
The lining material was more lightweight than some people were expecting and the coverage over the chest and belly were less than they would like for smaller dogs. Some dog parents fumbled with the elastic hindleg bands as well and choose not to use them so the coat was able to blow up in the wind.
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9. Gooby Small Dog Pullover Fleece Jacket with Leash Ring
- Best for a little additional warmth on small dogs
- Material: fleece
- Weight: lightweight
- Warranty and return policy: free returns depending on where you purchase
A simple, lightweight fleece vest is what you’ll get with this product from Gooby. If your small dog needs just a little extra warmth on those chilly fall or spring days, this vest is a no-nonsense, pullover version. No snaps or Velcro straps to worry about and the leash ring negates the need for your dog to wear an additional harness.
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Dog parents love the simplicity of this fleece vest since the pullover style leaves no straps to fasten or adjust and no Velcro or zippers to become clogged. It provides a little additional warm without the bulk.
You shouldn’t fully trust the leash clip as it can pull out of the vest allowing your dog to get loose. You also need to be fairly accurate on the measurements for sizing since there are no adjustable straps. The fleece does stretch a little to accommodate for different sizes but not enough for major measuring errors.
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How to Wash and Maintain the Durability of Your Dog Coat
No matter how hard you try, your pup is bound to get their dog coat dirty. It’s just a fact of life. When shopping for a dog coat, it’s easiest to make sure that the coat is machine washable. You can always hand wash a coat, but it’s definitely more likely to get done and get cleaner if a coat is machine washable. Always refer to the manufacturer’s washing instructions as some coats may require special detergents or specific water temperatures. It’s important to never use bleach or enzymatic detergents and to steer clear of soaps with additional additives like fragrances, dyes, and fabric softeners. All of these can leave a residue that not only reduces the performance of the material, but can also decrease the lifespan of the coat.
Most coats, depending on the material, are machine washable in warm water with low or no agitation, and should be line dried. This will not only increase the lifespan of the coat, but it will also help maintain the waterproof coating or lining so that your pup continues to stay dry. Depending on what the waterproof coating is, you may have to run it through a short dryer cycle after the coat is dry in order to reactive the waterproofing agent. Again, there’s no substitute for the manufacturer’s instructions, which if you can no longer read the tag or the tag is gone, visit their website.
How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Coat
The most functional and best-looking coat is no good to your dog if it’s sitting in a closet instead of being worn. It might seem silly that some dogs will shiver instead of wear their new coat, so it’s up to you train them how to wear it and like it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to train your dog to wear a coat. As with any dog training, be patient and always go at the pace that your dog sets. You may have to backup and repeat previous steps if your pup seems unsure.
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- Step 1: Show them the coat. Just put the coat out and let them sniff, lick, lay on, whatever they want with it. Just let them see that there is nothing to be scared of and that the coat is something that is likeable and fun. Reward them for their bravery and any positive interactions that they have with the coat. Do this several times a day until your pup is completely comfortable with the coat.
- Step 2: Touch them with the coat. Once your dog is completely comfortable with the coat, it’s time to touch them with it. Don’t put it on yet, just touch them with it. You can pet them with it, drape it over them, play with them with it, whatever gets the coat actually touching their body. Again, reward for good behavior and just take a step back if they show any shyness or uncomfortableness at being touched by the coat.
- Step 3: Slip the coat on the neck only: This step may be a little more complicated, so here is a video if you need a visual. Slip your arm through the neck hole of the dog coat. Have a handful of treats in the same hand. Holding the coat up with the other hand, offer your dog a couple of the treats. As they get more comfortable, have them advance their head and neck through the hole, coaxing them through with the treats. If they’re comfortable with it, leave the coat over their neck and give lots of praise. Repeat until it happens quickly and happily.
- Step 4: Put the coat on. After getting the coat over your dog’s head using step 3, now you can drape the rest of the coat over your dog’s body. Depending on how well your dog is taking to this training, you may be able to fasten it at this point as well. Other dogs might not quite be ready for fastening, so make sure they are comfortable with the coat just laying over their body. Repeat until you are able to fully secure the coat on your pup.
- Step 5: Increase time in the coat. Once your dog is comfortable with the getting the coat on process, you can start to let them wear it. Don’t immediately take them for a five mile walk, instead let them wear it for a quick trip around the block to make sure it is comfortable and fitted properly. Once they’re accustomed to wearing if for a couple of minutes, gradually up the time that they’re in the coat until they’re good to go for long haul.
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If you plan on outfitting your dog with a heavy, full coverage type coat, you may have better luck training with a lighter, more trim fit style first to get them used to wearing clothes. Another helpful tip for training your dog to wear a coat is that dogs can’t see red or orange in the way that we do. If fact, reds and oranges may actually appear brownish and be hard for them to see. If your pup is a little nervous about wearing a coat in the first place, trying to put something on them that is hard for them to see may be downright difficult and scary. While getting one of these high-visibility red or orange colored coats may be a good idea for their safety while you have them out and about, but for training purposes you might want to go with one that is blue, green, or grey. Once they’re seasoned professional coat wearers you can move up to those high-visibility colors for added safety.
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Dog Breeds that Like Cold Weather
There are definitely some dogs out there that seem to “come alive” once the temperature drops and are in no need of a dog coat. You may be thinking that they’re crazy, but the fact of the matter is, warmer weather is just too hot! When you think of a dog that actually prefers the cold, you probably picture something big and fluffy and you’re absolutely right. Generally speaking, those dogs with the double coats that we discussed earlier are better insulated for chilly weather. If you want a best friend to venture out with you in the snow, ice, and cold, one of these dog breeds may work better for you.
[su_highlight]Those breeds include: Akitas, Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Samoyeds, German Shepherds, Great Pyranese, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and huskies, to name a few. Any crosses with these breeds are fairly cold tolerant as well.[/su_highlight]
Conclusion
Dog coats are far more than just a fashion statement, for some dogs they may be the difference between a knock-down-drag-out battle every time your pup needs to go outside to potty and a dog that looks forward to snow-filled adventures. Before getting your dog any type of coat, make sure they actually need it, determine how the coat needs to perform and take the time to train them to happily wear it.
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