Why dogs need winter clothes and how to choose the right one
Miscellaneous / / April 06, 2023
Jumpsuits and jackets are useful not only for cute photos. Together with an expert, we figure out how to assemble a winter wardrobe for a pet.
Why do animals need jackets and boots
Domestic dogs spend most of their time in the apartment and go outside at most for a couple of hours a day. Because of this, they may be more difficult adapt to the cold, and winter walks turn into a real endurance challenge. To begin with, it is worth understanding whether your pet is freezing.
Artyom Demin
Leading veterinary expert of the company "Four Paws".
The easiest way to determine if a dog is cold during a walk is to look at its behavior. When a pet looks plaintively at the owner and whines, pulls the leash towards the entrance, tightens its paws or trembles, it is better to go home, and choose clothes for the weather for future walks.
If even in severe frost the dog runs, jumps and shows with all appearance that she is quite comfortable, then you can take a walk longer. Usually large dogs with a dense undercoat are able to feel great in the cold for more than an hour. But breeds of small size with short hair can tremble already at the first breath of wind.
severe hypothermia Maybe cause problems with the heart and nervous system, lead to a drop in blood sugar and breathing difficulties. There is even a risk of death. If you notice that the dog is cold, take him home and help warm him up. For example, wrap them in a blanket or wrap bottles of heated water around them - just wrap them in a blanket so that the dog does not get burned. But you should not give your pet a warm shower or blow it with a stream of hot air using a hair dryer. You need to warm the animal slowly and gradually, otherwise the narrowed blood vessels will expand quickly - this Maybe lead to life-threatening shock.
Refusing to walk in the cold is not a good idea: dogs need to move regularly. Warm jackets, overalls and sweaters will help protect your pet from the cold. Even winter clothes will make life easier for the owner - brushing drops from melted snow from the jacket is easier and faster than washing the animal after each walk.
Some pets will also need winter shoes. Boots will protect the paws not only from the cold, but also from injuries if the dog suddenly steps on something sharp - for example, a piece of glass covered with snow. Finally, shoes help protect the paws from exposure to salt and chemicals that can corrode the pads.
Artyom Demin
If the pet flatly refuses to walk in boots, you can use special waxes and paw creams. The first must be applied before a walk. It creates a layer on the paws that protects against reagents. And after returning home, you need to wash and dry the dog's paws, and then lubricate the pads with a special cream so that they do not start to crack and become inflamed due to exposure to low temperatures.
A pet store will help you choose a winter wardrobe for your pet.Four pawsยป. There are warm overalls, jackets, shoes, sweaters and sweatshirts popular brands Petmax, Rurri and Rungo. Thanks to a convenient system of filters on the site, it is easy to find the right model: you can choose the gender and size of the pet, the brand and color of clothes or shoes.
If you are worried that the new thing will be large or small, take measurements from your pet in advance. Understanding how to do this will help. clear instructions.
Find clothes and shoes
What breeds need new clothes for the winter
No additional insulation during winter walks not enough representatives of decorative and short-haired breeds. Thick-coated dogs like huskies, huskies, and malamutes can tolerate low temperatures well, but overalls or jackets can do the trick, too, to protect them from dirt.
More winter clothes come in handy underweight dogs with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or problems with thyroid gland. Such animals can tolerate cold less and freeze faster.
Artyom Demin
Clothes are needed for representatives of hairless breeds and miniature dogs - for example, Chinese crested dogs, hairless chihuahuas, greyhounds, Yorkshire and toy terriers. Even large, short-haired dogs such as Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, and Cane Corso may need warm jackets. No thick wool - no frost resistance.
Greyhounds and Whippets usually have thin skin that helps them stay cool while running. However, because of this, they are hard to tolerate frost. Short-legged breeds like dachshunds and corgis have bodies close to the ground. They rub against the snow more often, drops from puddles fly on their stomachs, which is why such dogs freeze faster.
Finally, pregnant, lactating, elderly and growing pets, as well as dogs recovering from illness or surgery, may need clothing. In such animals, immunity is weakened and the risk of viral diseases is increased.
How to choose clothes and shoes for your pet
When looking for clothes, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the climate. In a warm region where snow is rare, you can get by with a sweater or vest, and for a harsh winter, it is better to choose a jacket or overalls.
Artyom Demin
Include a pair of insulated overalls in your dog's winter wardrobe. If one is wet or in the wash, you can go for a walk in the other. Two sweaters will also come in handy: for the house and to wear under overalls while going outside in the cold. If your dog wears shoes, it's a good idea to get a few pairs too. And if boots are not required, wax and paw cream will come in handy.
A hat is needed if the pet has cropped ears - this increases the risk of inflammation in the cold. Hats can also be useful for puppies and older animals, miniature breeds and dogs with long hanging ears - snow often sticks to them. A scarf or snood will be needed for growing and aging dogs, animals after illness, as well as breeds with a long neck, such as hounds and greyhounds. Instead of a hat and scarf, you can use a hood that covers both the head and neck.
At first, the dog can be capricious and show with all its appearance that it is uncomfortable in new clothes. It is worth gradually accustoming a pet to clothes. Start with light clothing like raincoats, and when the dog gets used to it, you can try on a winter jacket.
Artyom Demin
It is better to accustom to clothes from puppyhood. So the pet will quickly remember that the owner picks up a jacket or overalls to dress him. Adult dogs can also be trained, but this will require more time and patience.
You should not immediately take a dressed animal for a walk - you need to wait until the dog gets used to it. First, you can put on a jacket for 2-3 minutes, and every next day increase the time by 5-7 minutes, eventually reaching up to half an hour.
Do not yell at your pet while preparing for a walk - this way he may have negative associations with clothes. If the dog growls, kicks and bites, you need to be patient and bring the matter to the end. It is important that the dog understands that clothing is a necessity.
So that the jacket or boots do not cause any inconvenience to the animal, it is worth taking your dog to the pet store and trying on several models. If this option does not fit, take measurements from the pet - this will make it easier to choose the size. To buy shoes, you need to find out the length and width of the front and hind legs, and when choosing a jacket or overalls, you should take into account the length of the back from the withers to the tail, chest and neck girth. The chest should be measured just behind the front paws, and the neck should be measured at the place where the pet wears the collar.
Consider the breed of your pet: the jacket of the standard model may be small in the neck of the bulldog, and for the dachshund it will have too long sleeves. When trying on, pay attention to the fasteners: for example, Velcro gets tangled in wool - this will cause discomfort to the dog. See how your pet behaves in a jacket, sweater or overalls. If the animal is worried and tries to pull off the clothes, this may be a sign that it does not fit in size or too tight elastic bands on the sleeves are pinching the paws.
If you are in doubt whether you have chosen the right size of clothes and shoes, the Four Paws store has a free fitting. Can be ordered immediately several goods, the courier will deliver things home or to a retail store, and you just have to figure out new clothes for your pet and pay for the models you like.
And to make purchases truly profitable, study special offers - they are updated every month. For example, until the end of January, Four Paws stores have discounts up to 50% for dog clothes.
Assemble your winter wardrobe