Q: Now that it’s cold outside, do I need to buy my dog a jacket? Do dogs really need jackets, or is dog clothing all a marketing ploy?
A: No, you don’t need a jacket for your dog. Waterproof jackets that keep your dog dry can also provide warmth in foggy or rainy conditions. Otherwise, protecting your dog’s belly and paws should be the priority when it’s cold outside.
When do dogs need help to stay warm?
Active, medium-to-large, healthy and resilient dogs with thick hair coats typically don’t require additional warmth unless they are in freezing conditions for more than 30 minutes or so. My dog Bodhi, for example, could romp for hours in the cold rain.
If the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or your dog is small or inactive, they might need protection from the cold. Thin and lightly-haired dogs with precious personalities (whippets might be the poster child) can start shivering when the temperature drops below 60 degrees.
How do I know if my dog is cold?
Chattering teeth and shivering are typical signs that dogs are cold. Other indicators include curling up in a tight ball, trying to snuggle with other dogs or humans, or tunneling under bedding. After a few hours of shivering, dogs can no longer keep themselves warm because of fatigue. With continued exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees, dogs can develop hypothermia. If you suspect hypothermia, get your dog into a warm room, wrap its body loosely with dry blankets, and take it to a vet as soon as possible. To avoid burns and circulation problems, don’t try to do anything else to warm it up. Your veterinarian will treat it by using gradual warming and intravenous fluid therapy.
What’s the best way to keep my dog warm?
Dogs lose heat through their paw pads and the hairless part of their belly. So covering your dog’s back and chest with a wool sweater or a fleece is not the most effective way of keeping them warm, even if it does make them look cute and cozy. In fact, in wet weather, wearing a coat may actually do more harm than good. The garment itself absorbs water, and it also prevents a dog from shaking to get rid of excess water trapped in its coat. That can leave your pooch more vulnerable to hypothermia.
Lindsay Merkel, a dog and cat internal medicine specialist at the University of Minnesota and a longtime owner and fosterer of dogs, says that “keeping your dog dry is one of the best ways to reduce the effects of cold ambient temperatures. If the goal is to keep your dog warm and you’re looking for a jacket, choose a waterproof jacket that covers your dog’s belly.”
If you’re serious about providing warmth, Merkel recommends investing in some waterproof dog booties. Although perhaps less glamorous than a jacket, booties come in loads of colors and sizes (there are even UGG boots for dogs). “For dogs that don’t tolerate booties, take a leaf out of a musher’s book and get yourself some dog foot wax,” she says. Foot wax (also known as paw balm), developed for use on sled dogs, forms a waterproof barrier that keeps your dog’s feet dry and warm. In snowy regions where sidewalks and roads are salted, foot wax and booties also keep salt out of your dog’s paws, which is important because salt can cause a dog’s pads to become cracked, dry and irritated. Foot wax prevents frostbite and stops a dog’s feet from sticking to the ice. If you don’t have wax, petroleum jelly can also do the trick.
What if I still want to put a jacket on my dog?
If the weather is dry and you want to have fun and make a fashion statement, go ahead and buy your dog a jacket (maybe a hat as well). It will make you smile and your dog might love the extra attention (although some dogs prefer their birthday suit). You can go the haute couture route, if you want to splurge, and dress your pooch in something from Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren or Burberry.
Or there are functional jackets with pockets, where outdoor enthusiasts can store their dog’s leash, a ball, a headlamp, baby wipes or a wad of toilet paper (for you, not the dog). Matching rain jackets and visors for you and your dog can be fun. There are dog jackets with faux-fur hoods, reflective piping, reversible colors, leash attachment holes, built-in harnesses and quick-release straps. Made-to-fit bulletproof vests are available in six different colors for military and police dogs (although these can cost in the range of $1,000 to $5,000).
If you want both style and function this winter, my fashion consultant Merkel suggests that you gift your dog a waterproof puffer jacket and a lengthy foot massage with some musher’s wax before hitting the catwalk (or more appropriately, the dogwalk).
Have questions about your pet’s behavior, health or other issues? Use this form to submit them to Dr. Sykes.
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