The colder temperatures outside are definitely going to mean you need to know How To Choose A Winter Coat For Your Dog. Your furbabies are a part of your family. You wouldn’t go outside in the cold without a jacket, so you shouldn’t make your dog do it either. Providing them with a warm cover in the wind, rain, snow and cold is important for their health as well as their connection with you.
HOW TO CHOOSE A WINTER COAT FOR YOUR DOG
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Choose something easy to wash. While there are a ton of adorable coats and sweaters for your dog, what you are looking for is something functional. Coats that have bells, tinsel, beads and other embellishments for holidays are not meant to use on a regular basis. You want to look for coats that are cotton, fleece or polyester and are machine washable. For a winter coat for your dog, avoid hand made crochet or knitted items. These can catch and hang on items, come unraveled and often don’t provide the protection your pet needs.
Related: Winter Costumes For Large Dogs
Chose something easy to get on and off. Dogs can have problems with things being pulled over their heads. Look for coats that snap underneath so you can slip their legs through without going over their heads. The feeling of something tightly around their head or neck can often lead to panic you want to avoid. There are many styles that snap, zip or button underneath without having to go over their heads.
Choose appropriate for conditions. When you are looking for the right winter coat for your dog, you need to think about your local area and weather conditions. For warmer climates you may want something that is light weight and offers protection from the wind, but won’t end up making your dog too warm. Consider going with a dog sweater in those cases. For climates with a lot of snow and ice, you will want something that repels water easily so you aren’t seeing your dog end up colder from a coat that ends up soaked with water by the end of your walk.
Sometimes knowing how to choose a winter coat for your dog is all about listening and watching their reaction. Try out several style, materials and types until you find one that your dog seems comfortable wearing. Some pets won’t like wearing a coat at all, so in those cases you must look for the winter coat that has the least negative response when testing. Protecting your furbabies from the elements is a very important part of your job as a dog owner.
Have you ever chosen a winter coat for your dog? Do you have any tips to add?
