Do dogs need to wear clothes in winter？

The weather determines whether dogs need to wear clothes

Beijing in December is really cold. Inhaling the cold air in the morning can prick my trachea and make it painful. However, in order to give dogs more free time to move around, the morning is also a good time for many dog owners to go out and walk their dogs. As the temperature drops, pet owners will definitely consider whether their dogs need to wear winter clothes to keep their bodies warm and safe. However, not all dogs need winter clothes, and in many cases, extra warm clothing is more harmful than beneficial.

I have asked many dog owners why they dress their dogs? This decision is more based on human emotional factors rather than the actual needs of dogs. When walking dogs in the cold winter, pet owners may worry about their dogs catching a cold, but not going out is not feasible because they have become accustomed to using the restroom outdoors and engaging in appropriate activities to release excess energy.

From the practical perspective of dogs, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether to give them a coat. The most important thing, of course, is the outdoor weather conditions, such as the cold winter winds, the actual perceived temperature outdoors, and whether it is raining or snowing? Will they get wet and quickly lose temperature? For most dogs, having an absolute low temperature is not a serious matter, but rather being exposed to rain or snow that makes their bodies damp and more prone to cold. If you are unsure about the situation, you can go out with clothes. When you see your dog shivering in the cold wind outdoors, looking for a warm place, walking slowly, or feeling very anxious and distressed, you should dress it up or bring it home as soon as possible.

Dog breed determines clothing

In addition to considering the actual outdoor situation, the individual condition of dogs is also very important. There are significant differences in age, health status, and breed. For example, elderly dogs, puppies, and sick dogs may find it difficult to keep their bodies warm even if the external temperature is not so extreme. On the other hand, some healthy adult dogs can still play happily even in icy weather.

Excluding the physical condition of dogs, breed is definitely the biggest factor affecting whether or not to wear clothes. Contrary to their body size, small dogs are more afraid of cold than large dogs, but they are also more heat-resistant, so they are more suitable for wearing clothes. Chihuahuas, mini Dubins, mini VIPs, and other dogs belong to this category; Body fat helps to keep warm, so thin, meatless dogs like the Whibbit and Greyhound typically require a coat more than obese dogs; Also, dogs with very sparse fur are prone to feeling cold, so they usually need to wear thicker warm coats, such as Bago and Fado;

On the other hand, some breeds of dogs never need to worry about wearing clothes, and some large dogs with long and thick fur rarely need to wear clothes. They have waterproof and heat-insulating double-layer fur, and wearing clothes only makes them look funny and ridiculous. Dark colored hair is more likely to absorb the heat of the sun than light colored hair, and activity generates a large amount of heat, which can heat their bodies when running. For example, Huskies, Newfoundland dogs, Shih Tzu dogs, Bernese mountain dogs, Great Bear dogs, Tibetan Mastiffs, these will never be grateful to you for dressing them up.

The quality of clothes is very important

After careful consideration, it is important to choose a suitable piece of clothing for your dog at home. The first thing to consider is the matching of the dog’s skin and clothing materials. The selected clothing should match the climate conditions in your area. In the cold north, cotton and down clothing can provide warmth, and at worst, plush clothing is also necessary. However, certain fabrics may cause allergic reactions in dogs, manifested as repeated scratching of the body, red rashes on the skin, frequent sneezing, even runny nose, redness and swelling of the face and skin, inflammation, and even vomiting if licked (probably due to black cotton).

In addition, size is also important. Don’t just look at which dogs the clothes described by the merchant are suitable for. You must use a tape measure to measure its body length (from chest to buttocks), height (from front legs to shoulder), chest and abdominal circumference, and front legs and armpit circumference. These data will help you choose a comfortable set of clothes for it to wear, which will not be too tight and affect running activities, nor too loose and fall off to the ground. The most important thing is that no matter how beautiful or comfortable the clothes are, the lighter the clothes, the more dogs will like them. No one likes to wear spacesuits while shopping on the road, right!