Most dog owners care little about the harshness and violent nature of winters when it comes to their four-legged companions. When the temperature plummets, focusing on winter apparel for your dogs is always recommended. Dogs’ winter apparel during the Christmas season is becoming the trend, with an obscene amount of sales and offers floating around. A common question that lingers around quite often is the notion that furs can actively and adequately protect puppies from winter. But is it true?
In this article, you will understand whether winter clothes are essential for your dog breed and all the factors to consider while choosing one.
Are Winter Clothes Essential For Dogs?
The simple answer is yes. However, shortened answers only work against battling the freezing winters. Getting them from a reliable boutique this winter will assure you of quality holiday-themed fabrics, laced collars, and reinforced matching leashes. Choosing the right supplier is essential for getting the best deals for designed clothing, dog collars, and comfortable beds for your companions! You can avail dazzling and stunning dog dresses for special occasions like Christmas and themed styles to match the trend. To go with the theme, Christmas-themed snowsuits for dogs also have matching and heavy-duty fasteners, various sizes, and matching leashes.
Factors To Consider To Determine The Need For Winter Apparel
It is usually evident for owners to look out for their partners if they are feeling cold. If they are trembling or shivering, constantly moaning, and showing reluctance to do activities, they will likely feel cold. Most dogs are also prone to anxiety and behavioural changes during winter. There are a plethora of considerations to factor into justifying the necessity for winter clothes. Among them include the breed, age, and climatic severity. Let’s take each of these into account:
- Climatic Severity: Thick coats for dogs do not always work against conditions like hypothermia and frostbite, and their efficacy largely depends on the prevailing temperatures. Temperatures that range around 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or around 4-5 degrees Celsius) demand winter clothing for dogs. Most of the time, it is visibly apparent to the owners if their pooches require thick coats. To deal with cold-susceptible dogs with less fur, it is important to lift the paws and cover them with a warm, soft, and comfortable blanket. But what do you do when it’s time for dog walks?
- Breed: According to scientific reports, larger dogs with thicker fur do not require protection from the cold. For instance, Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are built to generate and retain heat during winters and hence, do not require additional protective layers. Other dogs, however, may require an extra layer of warmth to survive during winter walks. They include Chihuahuas and French bulldogs. Additionally, those dogs closer to the ground, like Welsh Corgis, are also largely affected by lowered temperatures. Leaner breeds like Greyhounds and poodles also require additional protection and can benefit from winter clothing. If your dog is a mix-breed, take into account its body type, degree of closeness to the ground, and fur thickness.
- Age: Heat regulation capacities and resistance, like with human beings, decreases with age. The age factor always stands above the breed, and elderly dogs require winter coats, regardless of fur type and breed. Combining both factors, winter-resistant dog breeds can benefit from thinner coat layers, while weaker dogs need thicker jackets.
The dressing method is crucial when deciding the outerwear for your pup. Factoring in the weather conditions and fur thickness, you might only have to invest in sweaters. If you live in colder regions like Minnesota, it is best to opt for thicker winter coats. This decision can be made more informed by looking at the weather forecasts, temperatures, and chances of snowfall, hail, or cold rain. Under these conditions, it is recommended to have winter jackets. All-in-all, it is crucial to purchase winter apparel best suited for the dog’s size and requirements. Opting for smaller sizes may cut off blood flow and mobility.
Paws are the thermostat of the dog’s body, and thus, paws must be protected while walking the dogs during winter. Jackets are adequate for the body, but when paws are exposed to cold and wet conditions, they are likely to develop acute infections. Most governments use salt for thawing the snow, and it can stick to the paws. This salt can get into the body when the companion licks it. Boots work great for dogs, but make sure you purchase one with good friction to prevent slipping on sidewalks and grasses. Choosing the fit for the boots is also essential. Make sure you purchase ones with Velcro straps for tightening.
Other Essential Tips
Ensure you adequately cover the dog before venturing outside, especially if he is among the shorter-fur breeds, senior and elderly age group, and dogs with medical conditions. Some dogs are uncomfortable wearing apparel during winter, so experiment as much as possible to come to terms with your dog. Dogs need waterproof dog apparel so that their denser hair may stay dry on daily wintertime walks along sidewalks coated in frost. His waterproof clothing protects him from the park’s dew-covered plants and grasses. Polar-fleece linings provide comfort to dogs while shielding them from colder temperatures.
While choosing the clothes, ensure there are no hanging zipper linings that can trap the fur and irritate the dog. Dog pads are also filled with chemicals that can be licked the dog and cause problems. Thoroughly wash the pads before and after the walk, preferably with warm water for sterilisation. Check the labels and do your research before investing in one. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so keep winter walks to a minimum and prefer to be indoors. Keep them away from winter puddles and choose an effective paw care routine.
Conclusion
And that marks the end of answering the most awaited question, “do dogs need to wear winter clothes”. While it is common to think that furs do most of the protection, it may only apply to some dog breeds. If you are ever in doubt, get in touch with the professionals. Veterinarians know best about dog’s jacket and boot requirements, so get to your local vet clinic and ask away. The above article gives you a list of all the factors to consider in a general sense.
