There’s nothing cuter than a pup in a furry parka or puffer jacket. Besides winning the award for “best-dressed,” are there any real reasons your dog should wear a coat? The answer depends on a number of factors like your dog’s breed, size, age, and lifestyle.
According to Dr. Judy Morgan, a veterinarian based in New Jersey, most dogs could benefit from wearing some sort of winter jacket: “Our dogs are used to being in climate-controlled homes,” she says. “When they head outside into freezing temperatures, they’re just as traumatized by the cold weather as we would be if we stepped outside without a coat.”
Learn how to determine when your pup truly needs a winter jacket—and how to choose one that’s the perfect fit.
Does my dog need a coat?
Smaller, light-bodied breeds, toy breeds, and breeds that naturally have very short or thin hair like Chihuahuas and pinschers should wear a winter coat or warm sweater.
Dogs who naturally have a heavier coat of hair, like Siberian Huskies and St. Bernard’s, generally don’t need extra layers and in fact, bundling them up could cause them to overheat. The exception to this is if for some reason your pup is spending a significant amount of time in the cold for some reason. If that is the case, have a chat with your vet first to determine when or if you should be bundling up your pup.
Older dogs, who may suffer from
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