Dogs are blessed with natural dog coats that help them to protect against the cold and harsh weather. But sometimes dogs also need protection during cold weather. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes with different heft and types of fur and all these can influence how cold will affect their body. Some dogs have an insulating body whereas some don’t. Moreover, your dog’s capacity to bear the cold weather depends on its breed. Your dog can help you in understanding the signs whether he needs a jacket or coat.
Why Does Your Dog Need A Coat?
Dog coats are not just a fashion statement but also provide protection against extreme weather conditions. Dog breeds with thin body types usually lose the heat when they are exposed to cold weather. A dog coat is helpful in keeping the dog dry, clean, and healthy.
Dogs that need a coat:
- Dogs with short-haired or tiny dogs
- A dog who has a weak immune system
- Older dogs or young puppies
- All the dog breeds accustomed to warm clothes
- Skinny dog
Essentially, dog coats are designed to provide warmth and protection against bacteria and infections. You must invest in a high-quality dog coat to shield your dog from precipitation, snow, sleet, and harsh weather. You can also get a dog coat with reflective properties. It will be helpful when you are taking your dog for an evening or morning stroll. It provides visibility, which is an important safety factor.
What Material Should I Choose?
The material that you choose for your dog’s coat must keep your dog extra warm. To provide an extra layer of protection to your pup, you can choose dog coats that are lined with fleece, quilting, and padding. It protects your dog from wind and harsh weather conditions.
The material of the dog coat also depends upon the area where you live. If the area is prone to wet weather, then you would need to have a waterproof or showerproof coat for your dog. If you live near the coastline, then a wind-resistant dog coat would be more valuable.
Which coat is right for my dog?
The choice of the material for a dog coat also depends on the way you would be using it for. If you are taking your dog for a long walk then you would need a coat made up of a strong and durable material that provides insulation. The best dog coat would be one that provides resistance from the wind as well as water. It must have proper visibility, removable thermal layers, and reflective strips.
You must also give preference to your dog’s choice of comfort. Sometimes your dog feels more comfortable moving around in a soft and lightweight fabric. So, you must buy a dog coat that is not too bulky for his body and does not cause an itching sensation. If your dog has thin fur, then you must choose a coat that is lined with soft material.
What Materials You Should Avoid?
You must avoid buying dog coat made of wool, silk, polyester or nylon fabric as they cause skin irritation
Tip: Make sure the material you choose for the dog coat is machine washable so that you can regularly wash the coat to keep it clean and odorless.
What Measurements Would Fit Your Dog?
While looking for a dog coat, you should take your pup’s body into consideration. The dog coat has to be of the right length and must fit him comfortably. You can take your dog to a suitable store where you can try on a different variety of coats and buy the one that ideally suits your dog.
If you wish to measure your dog, start from the shoulder blades and move downward to the base of the tail. Then you must measure around the fattest part of the chest and narrowest part of the waist. Finally, you must take the measurement around the neck. This will help you in ensuring that you are buying the dog coat that will fit him comfortably. Generally, different retailers make use of different measurements, so it would be better for you to make a note of the measurements so that you can search the best fit.
Summary:
While buying the ideal dog coat you must take into consideration various factors such as
- Whether the dog coat is machine washable or not?
- Whether your dog would be able to move easily with the coat?
- Whether the available dog coats are within the budget?
- Does the dog coat use velcro to keep it secure around the body?
So, you can easily follow these guidelines while buying a dog coat for your little ones.
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