Greetings from Canine Hotline on this fun, frigid Tuesday. Today is dog advice column day! You asked questions, and we fetched answers! Remember: If you need dog advice, send a message to info@thecaninehotline.com. And don’t forget to subscribe:
Today’s question comes from Luna’s mom:
Dear Luna’s Mom,
Fern speaking! And I totally relate to this question! I mean, my dog, Bette, puts up with a lot. She’s like, Halloween costume? Okay! Pawnukah sweater? Sure, I’ll wear that! But when I tried to put boots on her she was like…what fresh hell is this? Hard pass. She wants nothing to do with the shoes. Which I can understand. I once wore this pair of uncomfortable heels for a night out, and it was terrible! I could hardly walk! And I did that to myself! But I also just moved to NYC, where dogs are walking around in nicer coats than my own, and lots of pooches are in boots. But like, do our dogs NEED to wear these things? And what should we look for in dog clothes?
To research this important topic, I reached out to veterinarians and experts at Ruffwear, Bond Vet (Thanks, Dr. Rosen!), and Cool Springs Animal Hospital. I found myself wanting one of them to tell me: Yes, this is the exact temperature and circumstance all dogs need coats and shoes! However, let cute puffers and little doggy shoes be a reminder that, like most things in life, there is not always a clear right or wrong way. You know your dog best. But here are helpful tips!
Tips for navigating your dog’s winter wardrobe:
Putting a coat on your dog is not always about what breed of dog you have or how thick their coat is. One of the most important things to ask yourself is: what weather is my dog USED to? Did a blizzard just pop out of nowhere? Is there suddenly ice on the ground? Was there a severe weather change? Dog coats adapt to their environment. If it’s suddenly <30 and you want to go for a twenty minute walk, your dog needs the extra warmth! A coat (and booties…if there’s snow or ice or salt on the ground. Sorry, Bette…) is a good idea.
All dogs have fabulous fur coats, but not all dogs were created equal when it comes to staying warm. If your dog looks like this:
…Less likely to need the coat. Small dogs like chihuahuas, dachshunds, and terriers should wear coats.
When buying a puffer for your dog, always go with practicality over fashion (wow! I sound like my dad!). I do not recommend the cheapest, most fashionable doggy jacket on Amazon and calling it a day. Make sure the material will actually keep your dog warm and dry.
Check out your local pet stores (they’ve already done the legwork to find the best brands) for clothing recs. Ruffwear is one of my favorite dog brands, as they work endlessly to design and test gear with the dog’s comfort in mind.
Hoods are not necessary (and might be annoying to your dog!).
Make sure the clothing fits! Does your dog have good movement – especially around the front “armpits”? Can he/she go potty easily? You should be able to fit 2-3 fingers between the coat and your pup. PS - watch this video on how to measure your dog’s paws.
Don’t leave your dog’s clothes on inside the house. Just like you do, put your dog’s coat on right before you leave, and take it off as soon as you return.
Catch me on Fox Weather this Friday talking more about ways to keep your dog warm for the winter. Also, do you have favorite dog coat or boot recommendations? Tell us about them in the comments.
xx,
Fern
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