Many think dogs are well equipped with their fur and that this allows them to be out in extreme cold. This is not true. Many are not suited for the type of environment we bring them into.
Small dogs, short hair dogs and even our geriatric dogs need jackets. Why?
Small dogs have a hard time retaining body heat. Giving them a sweater or jacket to wear will help them with this.
Dogs with a short coat or dogs that generally need grooming and a cut during the winter months need that extra protection when they are out in the winter weather.
Our geriatric dogs maybe suffering from arthritis this won’t only keep them warm, but it will protect them as well.
Also the length of time outside should be considered when deciding whether or not your dog needs to wear a coat. If you are going out for a short potty break it’s safe to say they do not need their jacket. Dogs in temperatures greater than 45 degrees typically a jacket will not be needed.
Find the right fit:
Measure around the neck and around the largest part of the chest.
Measure the distance from the back of the neck to the waist.
It is best to choose loose fitting fabric and to be sure that fabric is not tight around the “armpit” area.
Lastly, be sure to remove a sweater or jacket when you leave your pet home alone.
We also get asked a lot about dog booties and ways to protect our pets paws while out on walks. Short walks and quick potty breaks you may not need dog booties, but we always recommend Mushers Secret as a preventative care for before and after walks or even when the cold weather has started. Mushers Secret keeps your pets paws moisturized and protects them from the cold surface and salt. You can find Mushes Secret at any pet store.
For those longer walks we do recommend more protection for paws like booties.
Here are a few links for durable jackets and booties.
https://www.fetcherbay.com/boots/
