Dog clothes aren’t just about fashion
How does a dog jacket improve your and your dog’s health?
26 October 2022
Clothes for dogs are treated by many skeptics as a luxury or meeting the owner's needs to be fashionable and trendy. Jackets and clothes for dogs, however, are not only about the looks. This is above all - the comfort of our dear friends on cold or rainy days.
Let’s start with the fact that dog clothes are not only a matter of fashion, but also a way to protect your pet from frost, wind and rain. Especially in autumn and winter, when the weather does not encourage long walks, dog coats are worth their weight in gold. They warm up, protect against cold, illnesses and allow your dog to stay optimistic and enjoy the time spent outdoors. So it should come as no surprise that even the best vets and behaviorists recommend that dogs wear clothes that protect their bodies from the effects of cold temperatures.
Not all dogs are naturally adapted to low temperatures, and some do not even want to go for long walks in winter or in bad weather. Dogs often do not like heavy rain, which is also embarrassing for the owner. Wet cakes at home are usually the usual smells, a wet couch …
It is in such situations that it is worth reaching for dog clothes. Rain jackets will provide your pet with cover and at the same time protect our order at home.
It is worth observing your dog during walks on cold days - often after leaving the door, the animal itself makes the owner understand that it is too cold and it does not feel comfortable, and would prefer to return to a warm home.
Shorthaired dog breeds are particularly vulnerable to dampness and cold.
The most important thing is to protect short-haired dogs with little body fat against the cold with an undercoat. Contrary to popular belief, this does not apply only to small dog breeds. Breeds such as:
- Great dane
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Doberman
- Rottweiler
- Boxer
- Amstaff
- Pittbull
- Cane Corso
- Greyhound
- Beagle
- Bassethound
- Bloodhound
- Bul Terrier
- Bulmastiff
- Dalmatian
- Pug
- Jack Russell Terrier
Owners of older pets must remember about protection against cold. Dogs’ metabolism decreases with age. As a consequence, the body reacts worse to cold. Moreover, in case of older dogs rheumatoid problems may appear. We must also pay special attention to very young dogs, as they are more vulnerable to cold and moisture.
What winter jacket to choose for a dog?
In pet stores we can now find a wide selection of overalls, jackets, sweatshirts and dog vests. So how do you choose the best one? It is best to be guided by the quality of the product itself and its functionality. Only solid dog jackets made of practical fabrics will keep your pet warm on frosty days and will not fall apart immediately after the first use. Remember, a lucky pooch is an active pooch. Crazy rallies in the forest or playing with a buddy is the norm – so remember when choosing a jacket that it needs to be made of durable material such as softshell. This material is hard-wearing, waterproof, lightweight, windproof and tearing is virtually impossible. It is easy to remove mud, sand or other dirt from it.
How to choose the right dog jacket?
When buying a dog jacket, first of all, pay attention to its size. The terrier jacket is much smaller than the Great Dane’s suit and it doesn’t fit it in any way. Therefore, before buying, it is recommended to measure your pet, determine its length from the neck to the base of the tail, measure the circumference of the chest and neck and compare the obtained values with the size table on the website of the dog clothing manufacturer.
What to look for when buying a dog jacket?
Size is not the only aspect you need to consider when buying a dog jacket. Clasp, collar adjustment, collar connection, securing the paws so as not to rub and restrict movement, how to put it on and take it off – it’s important not to twist your dog’s paws.
To sum up - the jacket is safety and protective clothing, not an invention. However, let's do it wisely by choosing good, proven products that not only look good, but above all protect our pets well. And then a walk in any weather will be a pleasure!
