It’s a cold winter night, and your little canine friend is shivering. It’s cold, and you can’t do much to help. After all, the weather is out of your control. But what if there was a way you could help? What if you could reduce their discomfort by simply buying one of the best dog winter coats?
The Top 7 Dog Winter Coats For the Colder Season
The prospect of a dog in a sweater may seem absurd, but it is a very real idea. It helps a lot of pets live comfortably, and yours can become one of them.
Do Dogs Even Need Coats?
You’ve probably seen adorable pictures of dogs in coats circulating on the internet. But does your pet really need one? Or is this another capitalistic propaganda?
There are tons of dog breeds, and each has unique characteristics and features. Therefore, you won’t ever find one answer to queries related to their habits and needs. Instead, you’ll get complicated and nuanced arguments. We’re going to break it down.
Some breeds like Huskies are built to survive cold weather. They are double-coated, and adding another layer will make them sweaty. On the other hand, there are also some that need a bit of help staying warm. For example, Greyhounds and Chihuahuas need coats to be comfortable.
Make a separate corner for your Yorkie with a personalized dog toy basket and other props. Secure balconies and backyards.
If you want to figure out if your canine friend needs a warm jacket, use the following list as a metric. Meeting any of these descriptions means you should scroll down our list of the best dog winter coats on the market.
Thin
Thinner dogs have very little fat. This means that their bodies can’t offer natural insulation in the winter months and require help. In such an instance, a coat or jacket is a great idea.
Short hair
Short coats go hand in hand with a lack of buffer against cold winds. On the other hand, thick hair provides a shield against intense and icy weather. For dogs that don’t have the latter, living comfortably or even surviving is always threatened.
Sick
Suppose your pet is fighting a disease; it’s particularly vulnerable to the cold. The immune system is busy and of lower strength than normal, which means buying a warm jacket is an excellent precautionary measure. But your dog isn’t just facing the threat of illness; its existing condition can also become exponentially worse without proper insulation.
Senior
As a dog becomes older, it becomes more and more vulnerable to diseases, so it’s imperative you keep it warm and safe.
Toy-sized
Breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier radiate more heat than the typical dog and require extra heat.
Once you know if your pet needs a winter coat, it’s time to figure out which one to get.
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Picking The Right Winter Coat For Your Dog
Climate & Insulation
Think about the area you live in and what you need to protect your dog from. Consider factors like temperature, rain, snow, and wind.
If you live in a relatively cool but not freezing area, the best dog winter coats for you are those made with fleece. But if you are in a windy area, try to find a windbreaker.
Very cold places that tend to go below zero degrees will need something heavier than fleece. You should keep an eye out for multi-layered coats that offer intense protection against icy temperatures.
The point is that your needs are directly impacted by your conditions. There is no one size fits all solution.
Waterproof
There are numerous places across the globe with rainfall. And if you live in one of them, make sure your dog’s coat is waterproof. Such jackets keep your pet warm even if it’s super wet outside.
Jumping around in puddles is always fun. However, this is often difficult to do with the dangers of extended exposure to rainwater. So a waterproof jacket also means that they can play outside in the rainy season.
But if you live in a dry climate with lots of sunlight, this isn’t an issue for you. You can purchase cotton or wool clothes without worry.
Attachment Method & Durability
There are very few tendencies that apply to dogs universally. One of them is their fun and yet adventurous spirit. They all like chewing things, exploring areas they shouldn’t be, and rolling around in the mud.
Therefore it’s essential you look into the durability of a jacket before purchasing it. Stay away from zips and unnecessarily ornamental coats. These types of decorations often get stuck in a dog’s fur and cause a lot of discomfort. Your dog can also end up chewing and swallowing them, which may lead to health concerns.
Velcro is an excellent alternative for canines with long and curly fur.
Reflective Strips
Dog owners living in crowded neighborhoods with a lot of traffic should always get a reflective winter coat. It makes sure that drivers can see your canine friend and stay clear if it is crossing the road.
These types of coats are also great for identification. If your pet runs away during the night, you’ll be able to spot them from far away due to street lights.
An additional benefit of reflective strips is that you can take your pet out for evening walks. It arms you will all the necessary precautions and keeps you and your dog safe.
Sizing & Coat Length
When choosing coats for the cold size should be a vital part of the process. The ideal jacket is big enough to cover your dog’s torso and fit comfortably. However, it shouldn’t be too large, or it’ll fall off the pooch in no time.
Measure the height, chest size, length, and weight in a way that the coat you purchase doesn’t extend beyond the waist.
Online purchases are always dangerous since you can’t know the precise fitting. However, there are a few brands with super-accurate size charts. Our list of the best dog winter coats only covers these ones.
Armpit & Neck Area
If you buy a coat that is too tight in the armpit or neck area, your pet will be uncomfortable and fight to take it off. You want the garment to be snug, but you, under no circumstances, want it to be unbearable.
Dog owners have a special connection with their pets. The bond is built on trust, love, and commitment. Your canine companion believes that you will protect it from dangerous environmental factors, and purchasing an uncomfortable coat is a betrayal of that trust. You must avoid this.
Here’s another Yorkie article you’ll enjoy: Dog Noses: Color Changes, Runny Nose, Health Concerns, and Treatments
Best Dog Coats For Winter
We’ve looked at the best dog winter coats available and found the cream of the crop. All the options on this list were subjected to careful scrutiny; they are indeed the best of the best.
Zack & Zooey Winter Dog Coat Blanket
The Zack and Zoey Winter Dog Coat Blanket is at the top of our list because it has everything your pet will ever need. The jacket is made of 100% polyester and is available in various colors, which means you can style your pet however you want.
It’s also reversible. One side is water-resistant, and the other has a soft fleece cover. Consequently, the jacket works in a range of weather conditions and is one of the best coats for the cold.
The Zack ad Zooey coat also has a reflective strip and washable material. Your pet will be safe, and the jacket is reusable. No matter how dirty the garment gets, you can throw it in the washing machine, and it’ll be as good as new.
Weatherbeeta Reflective Dog Coat
If you have a medium-weight dog, the Weatherbeeta coat is the best option for you. The jacket is perfectly sized to fit such canines. It’ll wrap around your pet’s torso and stay there until you take it off. Unlike its competitors, this coat doesn’t fall off even if your pet is jumping around.
Beyond this general idea of the fitting, the coat comes in four sizes, and you should be able to identify which one is the best for your pet through the attached chart on the site.
It is waterproof and comes with reflective strips that allow you to view it from afar. Additionally, the jacket is a bright orange, which means you’ll never lose your pet.
The coat is made with polyester and nylon and is one of the easiest to work with when compared with the other options listed here. The various straps make the application and removal process easy and straightforward.
Ruffwear Insulated Overcoat
The Ruffwear Insulated Overcoat is an excellent option for dog owners since it is quite durable and super effective in blocking off cold weather. While users have reported that there isn’t any area to attach a harness, the overall pros outweigh this problem.
It comes in a range of sizes from extra small to extra large. You should be able to find one that works well for your pet.
Reflective lighting increases visibility from afar, and the extra light loop means you can customize the extent of this visibility.
The coat is resistant to both wind and water. It is warm, and comfortable, and checks all the boxes necessary when it comes to the best dog winter coats. Also, note that the product is made of recycled and eco-friendly materials.
Wearing the coat is a simple process. It has a buckle on each side; you push on them, and the coat comes off.
Kakadu Explorer Fleece Dog Coat
The Kakadu Explorer Fleece Dog Coat has been designed for larger dogs. So if you have a Doberman, Retriever, or Labrador at home, this is the one for you. The company offers four colors and sizes from extra small to extra large.
Each color is extra bright so you can identify your pet from a distance. They are a welcome supplement to the reflective stripes. But Kakadu doesn’t stop there. The coat has a number of other attractive features too.
For instance, the coat comes with customizable velcro straps. These allow you to adjust the size of the garment to your specific pet. And a well-fitting coat is always a good option.
Additionally, there are multiple layers of fleece. One layer can keep a dog warm, but two ensure comfort on the coldest of days.
Lastly, the coat can be cleaned in a washing machine. This makes the process easy and cuts down on your work.
Gooby Cold Weather Fleece-Lined Dog Vest
This jacket has everything a toy-sized dog owner needs. It is water-resistant, lined with fleece, and adorably tiny. It is available in sizes between extra small and extra-large but generally only fits dogs up to twenty-five pounds.
The vest has a reflective lining, which you already know is vital for your pet’s safety. But beyond that, it also has a straightforward mechanism for wearing and removing: a three-point velcro system.
Another great thing about this Gooby Vest is that it has a leash attachment. Some users have said that it broke if their dogs pulled really hard. While this only happens in very rare situations, it is something you should know about.
Kurgo Loft Winter Dog Jacket
A waterproof, lightweight coat, the Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket will ensure that your pooch stays warm and dry in extreme weather. The zipper opening on the coat will enable you to attach your dog’s collar or harness to the leash.
The quilted material of the coat is filled with 140 msg Polytech and is machine washable. Like all other Kurgo products, the coat has a lifetime warranty, so you do not have to stress about your boisterous puppy carrying out its usual antics and harming the coat.
The winter coat will fit your dog irrespective of its size because it has sizes ranging from extra-large to extra-small. Visit their Amazon page for all the information you need about sizes and a very useful size chart if you want to find out your dog’s right size.
The best part is that it comes in a reversible design with five lovely color combinations, so you can find the perfect one for your dog!
Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest
The amazing Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest is available in all sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large. This means that whether your dog is very little or very large, up to 25 pounds, you can find a vest for your dog. The super-soft interior of the winter dog jacket, along with an outer layer that is water-resistant, will let your puppy stay dry and warm all day, even while playing in the snow.
This winter vest is available in five colors so that you can choose the right fun style. The zipper makes it very easy to close, and the snap button and fur guard at the top will help you zip it very easily and without snagging its fur, even if your dog is wriggly.
The fact that it is machine washable makes the Gooby Padded Vest very easy to clean. The jacket also has D-Rings at the back that can work as a harness. Just be careful that your pooch does not pull at the leash too hard!
Conclusion: Which Dog Winter Jacket is Best?
Depending on your dog’s size, what feature you think is the most important in a winter jacket, and your stylistic preferences, you can pick any coat you want. Each dog owner has different priorities, and you just need to figure out yours.
Some companies like Gooby are really good at making garments for tiny dogs like Yorkies. In comparison, Kakadu has an excellent option for larger ones. Always look at the size factor first.
Secondary concerns include things like water resistance. Areas with consistent and heavy rainfall gather a lot of puddles and wet parks. Your dog will probably want to play in them so prepare beforehand.
But if that isn’t something that concerns you, all you need to look for is a comfortable fleece jacket. Make sure it’s easy to wear, comes off quickly, and doesn’t require too much hassle.
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