Fashion for your pooch is certainly hot right now. It seems like every celebrity, from Martha Stewart to Ellen Degeneres, has a line of doggy clothing at your nearest pet store. Is it all for show? Or do do dogs really need clothes? While this may at first appear to be a light concern to those who would scoff at the idea of dressing a dog, there are still many dog owners who have seen their dogs shiver violently after exposure to winter temperatures but hesitate to put clothing on their dogs for fear of looking silly. Well, have no fear. If you are concerned about your dog being cold, there is absolutely no harm in putting a coat on them! Some pups have skin sensitivities, unrelated to the temperature outside, and find protection in t-shirts and other articles of canine clothing.
In general, there are three kinds of dogs who benefit from the insulation provided by a sweater or coat, as well as the protection afforded by life as a pampered house pet:
- Small dogs. Smaller, light bodied breeds, toy breeds, and breeds that naturally have very short or thin hair definitely benefit from a warm sweater when they need to go outside, or for just hanging around the house.
- Dogs who are elderly, chronically ill or both. Older dogs with weaker immune systems and dogs with diseases that impair hair growth typically need an extra source for warmth, and this can be easily provided by a sweater or jacket, even indoors.
- Greyhounds, Whippets and dogs of a similar thin body type, especially those with short fur. Dogs that tend to have short-cropped hair — like poodles, they may be able to grow thick hair but many owners tend to keep it short to avoid matting — should also be given a sweater to protect them from very low temperatures.
What these dogs have in common is that they have a more difficult time generating and retaining enough body heat on their own. For these dogs, a little help keeping dry and warm is always a good thing. Though protection from the elements is the biggest reason to put clothes on dogs headed outside, it doesn’t hurt to leave a sweater on these dogs inside if you’re keeping the heat down to save energy and money. If you keep your home temperature low in the winter months, relying on blankets and wool sweaters for yourself, a sweater can make a significant difference in your dog’s feeling of well-being.
