Animal care and welfare are very important because we need animals for our survival. Many people in the world have pets. Dogs are among the most popular pets in the world. Sometimes, your dog needs protection against the weather. There are a lot of good reasons to dress your dogs, and one of them is the cold weather in winter. Here, you will learn how to dress up your dog in cold weather to keep it warm?
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| How to Dress Your Dog in Cold Weather |
How Should I Dress My Dog In Cold Weather?
These days, there are so many dog social media accounts and dog communities online that teach people all about having a cute, furry friend. Many of these spaces have pictures of dogs in clothes, looking even more appealing. However, many might not be interested, with their arguments being, "It's a dog. Why does it need clothes?"
However, there are plenty of good reasons to dress your pets, and one of them is the cold weather of winter.
Dog breeds are different in terms of how much fur they have and how they can cope with the icy winter weather.
For instance, Newfoundlands have a double coat of fur and were traditionally bred to survive extreme cold weather. Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds also have thick fur and can cope just fine in cold weather. Compare that with hairless or almost hairless breeds such as dachshunds or whippets, who cannot cope in those conditions.
Sometimes, the dog needs protection against cold weather because it is elderly or very young, so it is not very active. In these instances, it is advisable to dress up your dogs for protection against the weather. So how do you go about it? What are the best Winter Dog Clothes to put your dog in? Are there any particular rules you must take note of? We will answer these questions below:
Choosing Outfits
The first thing to do is decide what outfit would fit the dog in that particular situation. For example, if you are inside but trying to protect your dog from the generally cold conditions, or you're going outside just for a short while, a sweater is fine.
However, if you're taking the dog out in the snow, extreme cold (sub-zero temperatures), windy or rainy conditions, a jacket is better. It should be waterproof, too, especially if the weather is wet or snowy because wet outfits will make the dog chillier instead of making them warmer.
Clothing Materials
What material should your dog's winter outfits be made of? First, before buying any winter outfits for your dog, you have to make sure that the fabric is sturdy, durable, and comfortable. It should be able to withstand extreme usage because dogs are notoriously very active.
It should also be machine washable. That way, it is easy to clean. Wool, for example, may require dry cleaning or hand washing, which is more exerting and expensive than machine washing. So consider this if you are getting a winter outfit for your dog. Next, consider the fabric itself. Since you want warmth, choosing materials that lock in heat is a good idea and will not weigh down your pooch.
Some suitable materials for dog clothes for the winter are:
- Wool (may irritate puppies with sensitive skin and may be hard to clean)
- Nylon
- Fleece
- PVC (it is a synthetic vinyl type material that does not breathe, so that it may be very uncomfortable)
Whatever material you get, make sure it is waterproof and windproof so that your dog can be comfy all day.
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| How to Dress Your Dog |
Measurements and the Right-Sizing
Before you buy winter outfits for your dog, you must ensure that it is the correct size. Take some crucial measurements. Measure the circumferences of your dog's neck, chest (this means measure around their biggest rib), and waist. Also, you should measure the distances between the bottom of their neck and their waist and the distances between the base of their neck and the top of their tail.
The reason for this is because the ideal size of clothing for your dog is form-fitting enough for your dog to move freely. This is to minimize the risk of your dog tripping on loose fabric. The dress should also be loose enough around the neck and chest to make your dog uncomfortable. If the outfit is too big, it can drag and trip up the dog and lose heat. If it is too small, it can constrict your dog's blood or airflow, irritate their skin, or make them unable to move freely. The outfit should also be easy to take off and not chafe your dog's skin.
Watch the clothing accessories.
This is more of a safety issue. When buying an outfit for your dog, be watchful for parts that can be pulled off, swallowed, or chewed on. If possible, avoid getting outfits with buttons, leash rings, zipper tabs, pom poms, or ribbons so that your dog will not try to eat them. If you cannot avoid it, make sure these accessories are in areas of the outfit that the dog cannot reach.
Consider extras too
Extra clothing may also be necessary depending on the dog and the weather conditions. Booties are always a good addition, especially if you live in a place with a chilly climate and long winters or if your dog's feet are susceptible to cold (or salt used to clear snow and ice).
Booties do not only keep your dog's feet warm, but it also protects the dog from things like grit, ice, snow, and salt, which may injure your dog or leave their feet dry and cracked.
Materials for booties should be strong enough to withstand ice and snow and other harsh conditions but flexible enough to adjust to your dog's feet. It should be waterproof, too, and have tractions to enable smooth movement on ice. Other accessories such as hats or scarves are suitable for extremely cold or windy conditions only. Otherwise, it will be too warm for them.
Conclusion
Now your puppy is ready to play in the snow and cold, regardless of the weather. We are sure they will enjoy playing catch with snowballs.