Dog Sweaters and Coats – More than Just a Fashion Statement
Although doggie couture is all the rage, preparing your dog for the elements is not something to be taken lightly. Find out when it’s wise to protect your pup. Dogs donning doggie couture are not a rare sight. Dog apparel stores are everywhere and even retailers like Old Navy sell dog clothes and accessories. Yet with all the ‘cool’ surrounding our furry friends and their fashionable garb, in the wake of winter’s cold weather, some dogs actually need warm clothes like dog sweaters and jackets to keep them warm when accompanying their owners on walks and car trips.
THE COLD
If you live in a coastal climate that doesn’t get below 0 degrees Celcius/32 degrees Fahrenheit and you have a dog with lots of insulation, it is likely fine for them to roam with you outside without much protection. Although, if you have a small to medium-sized, short-haired dog, they may require some extra warmth when the exterior temperatures are low.
For example, dogs like Chihuahuas, greyhounds and whippets do need extra protection from the elements in late fall and winter to regulate their internal body temperatures when they are exposed to cold, windy and rainy conditions. While some dogs like huskies are made for these types of climates, delicate dogs have less insulation to handle winter conditions.
BEING SEEN
Because winter has less light than other seasons, dogs are less visible to pedestrians, cars and bikes. When daylight is in short demand, it’s important to protect your dog and those he/she comes in contact with by making sure your pup is highly visible when playing outside. Therefore, even if you have a furry dog whose physique is well adapted to a cold climate, you still may need to consider a light-weight safety vest with reflectors to illuminate your dog in the dark.
OVERHEATING
With all this talk about making sure your dog is warm enough, it’s important to make sure your dog doesn’t overheat. Although this isn’t common in cold climates it’s still something to be aware of when dressing your dog for the cold.
Just as humans need to be properly dressed for each season, so do dogs. Canines are doing more and more activities with their human counterparts, for this reason, they too need the appropriate apparel for their adventures. Just remember, the more you do with your dog, the more considerations you’ll need to make for their safety and comfort.
By Erin Coal Published: 1/10/2007
THE COLD
If you live in a coastal climate that doesn’t get below 0 degrees Celcius/32 degrees Fahrenheit and you have a dog with lots of insulation, it is likely fine for them to roam with you outside without much protection. Although, if you have a small to medium-sized, short-haired dog, they may require some extra warmth when the exterior temperatures are low.
For example, dogs like Chihuahuas, greyhounds and whippets do need extra protection from the elements in late fall and winter to regulate their internal body temperatures when they are exposed to cold, windy and rainy conditions. While some dogs like huskies are made for these types of climates, delicate dogs have less insulation to handle winter conditions.
BEING SEEN
Because winter has less light than other seasons, dogs are less visible to pedestrians, cars and bikes. When daylight is in short demand, it’s important to protect your dog and those he/she comes in contact with by making sure your pup is highly visible when playing outside. Therefore, even if you have a furry dog whose physique is well adapted to a cold climate, you still may need to consider a light-weight safety vest with reflectors to illuminate your dog in the dark.
OVERHEATING
With all this talk about making sure your dog is warm enough, it’s important to make sure your dog doesn’t overheat. Although this isn’t common in cold climates it’s still something to be aware of when dressing your dog for the cold.
Just as humans need to be properly dressed for each season, so do dogs. Canines are doing more and more activities with their human counterparts, for this reason, they too need the appropriate apparel for their adventures. Just remember, the more you do with your dog, the more considerations you’ll need to make for their safety and comfort.
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