Dog Winter Fashion: 5 Tips to Follow
As any dog owner would know, our very lovable furry companions love to spend time outdoors during Winter, or just any time of the year.
But do they need any insulation to keep them warm? Mostly, no. Most dogs have more than enough fur to make sure they stay warm.
When choosing whether to put warm Winter fashion on your dog, consider the following:
- Your dog’s size
- Breed of dog
- The outside temperature
Here are 5 easy ways from linkhearts.com to determine when your dog should and shouldn’t wear clothing.
1: Tiny, Small, Little, and Miniature Dog
Small dogs need more work to sustain their body heat, so they may need a coat or a sweater when outdoors for a long time during the Winter. If your dog is a short-haired breed or a breed originating from a warm, tropical climate, they might also need some clothing.
2: Furry Dog
Long-haired breeds such as Pomeranian, Chow Chow, Husky, and Great Pyrenees do not require any clothing during the Winter, as their fur is enough to keep them warm.
On the contrary, we don’t advise you to give dog clothes to your furry friend in Summer.
3: Old Dog
Like humans, old dogs have a slow metabolism. So they don’t have enough energy to keep their body warm.
If you own a dog who is about 9-13 years old, you would want to give them as much clothing as possible.
They have a slower heart rate, meaning less body heat, meaning they won’t have enough insulation and will need clothing to keep them warm.
4: Period of Time Outside and Temperature Outside
The time outside and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors are the most important factors to decide whether or not you need dog clothing for them in the Winter.
If your dog is outside for 10 minutes or less, they do not require any clothing, unless in extreme conditions, such as a blizzard, although I highly doubt that anyone would go outside while a blizzard is active.
Dogs usually do not need protective clothing at 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
5: Indoors is Bad
It is necessary to remember that clothing on dogs should only ever be worn if required when they are outdoors in very cold weather.
Dogs should not wear these clothing items while at home. These should be removed from the dog after they are no longer needed to prevent skin irritation and chafing.
