Do Dogs Need Coats?
The question about whether dogs need clothes might come off as weird to some. The idea of getting a coat for dogs seems laughable to many. Some pooch owners are unsure about using artificial clothing for their pets.
If you’ve stayed close to some dogs during winter, you will notice shivers all over them. These shivers are usually reflex reactions of the dogs against the dropping temperature. Though the fur of the canine pets is there for heat conservation, it doesn’t always suffice.
Small dogs, short-haired or other breeds of dogs might need coats when the temperature falls due to their sparse fur layer.
It is not a bad idea to put on coats for your dogs.
Essential Functions of a Dog Coat
Coats are useful for helping puppies and dogs having short hair with keeping warm during winter. Dog breeds such as Greyhounds and Labradors need a dog coat to remain warm and friendly in low temperatures.
There are also some dogs without genetic makeup to adapt well to cold environments. Coats for dogs are needed to make such dogs stay lively in the cold.
Dog coats could also help unhealthy dogs heal faster. For instance, dogs having arthritis (joint problems) could be more susceptible to cold. Waterproof dog coats would be helpful to their health.
Below are the essential functions of a dog coat.
Dog Clothes Keep Your Dog Clean
Wearing a dog sweater helps dogs to keep clean. The cleaner your canine fiend is, the lesser the number of times you’d bathe her. Dog wears shields them when they go outdoors and keep minimal dirt on their fur.
Should the dog roll in the mud or something messier, her coats will bear the mess. Dog coats are helpful in ensuring that the home is kept clean.
They Help Aging Dogs Thrive
Much older dogs tend to have medical situations that could reduce their body temperature.
Getting your aging pet a fleece dog coat, for instance, would keep her warm when the weather gets chilly. Ailments like arthritis, which tend to plague older dogs, make them vulnerable to cold.
Waterproof sweaters would help in keeping your senior pet dry while it’s outdoors.
Dog Coat Help Some Dogs Keep Cool in Summer
During the summer, the weather cycle turns, and the sun becomes harsher. Dogs having lighter skin color could hurt their skin when they’re exposed to harsh sun rays. Police dogs are found wearing coats in the hot sun to shield their skin from extreme heat.
Light dog coats can be worn for dogs to keep them cool under the harsh sun rays. A soft dog coat would be helpful when taking your dog for a walk during the day.
Dog Coats Keep Dogs Warm During Winter
Puppies and dogs whose hair is either short or has been shaved are very uncomfortable in cold weather. Your young canine friends tend to lose body temperature at a higher rate than older ones.
You find your canine pet vigorously shivering or staying unusually still during the cold. The dog can be helped with fleece or waterproof dog coats.
Dog coats or sweaters come in handy in winter/cold evenings for dogs in the categories above.
Unhealthy Dogs Could Need a Dog Coat Too
Dogs could get sick, causing their resistance to infection to become very weak. If a dog has an illness that affects the dog’s skin, it might need sweaters. Keep your ailing pet warm by giving it a light coat to put on within the compound. Your dog will need thicker dog sweaters while on a stroll outside your home.
Things to Note about Dog Coats
- Few dogs find dog coats unpleasant on them. If your dog seems to become stationary after putting on a coat, it doesn’t like it. You don’t have to compel your canine pet to wear a coat. Instead, you could wear the skins for the dogs for a brief period around the house. Your puppy might adapt to the coat with time.
- Some erroneously conclude that only small dogs (puppies) require dog coats and sweaters. While smaller dogs tend to need coats often, Greyhounds are susceptible to the elements during winter. You could even get adult Greyhounds waterproof dog coats for warmth.
- Ensure to get the exact measurement for your dog before going out o purchase a dog coat. Avoid tightly fitted or unfitting coats for your pet. They could hinder its free movements.
- When looking to buy a dog coat, look out for metal parts of the dog coat. Zips or hooks could make your dog quite uncomfortable. It is unsafe to purchase coats having these metal parts as the dog could swallow them unwittingly. See to it that the dog coats have little or no possibility of hurting your pet.
- Not all dog coats that look fit for sweaters can keep your dog warm. Use waterproof dog coats to ensure your pet stays dry from the lawn. Just like your own winter coat, fleece dog coats give your canine friend comfort. While being comfortable, it protects them from the cold weather.
- Dog coats do not need to be heavy. “Thin” is the modern-day thick for sweaters. Even when a fleece dog coat is too warm, it could overheat your dog. Ensure that the dog’s coat is free enough without hampering any of her vital parts.
Measuring a Dog for Coats
Now you know that some dogs do need coats and why they do. You might be wondering how to measure your dog to get it a fleece dog coat.
Note that most shops would not receive back a dog coat that has left the store. You’ll therefore need to make accurate measurements before ordering for your dog coat.
While the dog is standing, measure its length from its neck to its tail base. Most dog wear producers use this measurement. You could also measure the dog’s chest to ensure the sweater fits perfectly.
As the Christmas season beckons, putting a dog coat on your dog could help in many ways. You only need to watch out against coats, which could overheat the dog’s body temperature. Also, take care that the skins do not pose harm to the dog, as explained earlier. If you find your pet acting dehydrated often, then you could put off its coat.
Summarily, a dog coat is beneficial to dogs. Getting one that suits your pet would go a long way in caring for it.
