Dog Sweater - Pros & Cons

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Every year with the arrival of colder days and a drop in temperature among many dog ​​owners, the same question arises - should my dog ​​wear a sweater?

A dog sweater is not just a fashion accessory but a necessity. You see, puppies, senior dogs, sick dogs, or ones recovering from an injury have multiple benefits from wearing a dog sweater. Puppies are, just as older dogs, prone to get cold quickly. For them, it is harder to keep their body temperature stable.

Why are Dog Sweaters Important?

Certain dog breeds, such as

• Chihuahua,
• Italian Greyhound,
• Yorkshire Terrier,
• Havanese,

are not well adapted to cold weather. These breeds are short-coated and thin-coated, and the outside cold gets to their skin more easily, causing them to shiver.

Another significant con when talking about small dogs wearing jackets and sweaters is that most of them have short legs, and if you put a coat on them, their belly won't come in direct contact with snow or cold rain.

The Size is Important

Small dogs, in general, are not doing great in cold weather. Small dogs have smaller body surfaces and are not so successful in generating and maintaining body heat, for small dogs that have a thin coat, small dog sweaters are essential. This is why, for owners of small dog breeds is easier to find the right sweater. There are small dog sweaters almost everywhere to buy.

Dog sweaters don't give dogs total protection from the cold.

Dog owners still need to keep in mind that a dog might, even with a dog sweater on, get frostbite.

While walking the dog during cold months, pay attention to the dog's behavior, and look for hypothermia signs. If you notice these signs:

• shivering
• rapid breathing
• increase in urination
• cold ears and feet
• hair standing on ends

you need to warm up your dog immediately. A smart thing to do is to get them to the vet. Just in case.

Many dog owners often time debate about the weather and when is too cold for dogs. To understand this make sure to check this article - Do You Know How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?

Consider the Material

If you decide to get your dog a sweater, you need to pay special attention to a few things. First, you want to choose the right material. You want your dog to be warm, comfortable, and not itchy!

This is why warm wool may not be the best choice. Washing wool clothes often can make the sweater uncomfortable for your dog. Luckily, there are plenty of wool-blend dog sweaters that are still very warm but not itchy for your buddy. Cotton or fleece is also an excellent way to go.

Measure Your Dog

Measure your dog's body. After deciding on a material, measure your dog's neck, the largest part of the chest, and the distance from the neck to the waist and waist to make sure the sweater will fit them.

Giving your dog a sweater will help them in the cold, but do you know what you need to do to keep them safe in warm conditions, especially if they are stuck in a hot car? Check out this article that can help you with that: Dogs In Hot Cars: How To Save Them?

Dog's sweater should fit perfectly. Choosing the right size for your dog will make them comfortable wearing the sweater. Dog's sweater should be easy to put on and take off. Make sure that the sweater is big enough so it won't tighten your dog. Choosing the right size is crucial because the sweater might get caught on branches or anything else during the dog's movement is too big.

Watch Out For Any Additional Parts

Buttons might create a problem for you if your dog chews them off and swallows them. Also, while taking the sweater on and zipping it, your dog's hair might get stuck in the zipper. This is why the best dog sweater to buy is the one without any additional parts.

There is an enormous number of dog sweater manufacturers and brands, so you shouldn't have a problem finding the right dog sweater for your dog.

While deciding whether you should dress your dog in a dog sweater, always consider your dog's feelings about sweaters and clothing in general. If your dog rejects clothing, try to slowly get them to wear a sweater if they really need one. If your dog isn't a breed that needs a sweater to keep cold, don't make them wear one.

Besides the sweater, you can also pick a dog hoodie for your pooch. This is also one way of keeping your dog warm while also providing cool looks. Here you can check what you should consider before buying a dog hoodie for your dog - Should You Buy Dog Hoodie For Your Dog?

Who Can Also Benefit From Wearing a Dog Sweater?

Older dogs usually have weaker immune systems. These dogs should also have a sweater during cold months because they can catch a cold or pneumonia more easily. Dogs with arthritis are also recommended to wear a sweater. Their joints feel better if they are kept warm.

Some other breeds are historically adapted to low temperatures and have a coat that can endure even the most severe conditions usually don't need to wear dog sweaters or dog coats. Breeds that don't need clothes to keep them warm are, for example

• Saint Bernards,
• Bernese Mountain Dogs,
• Huskies,
• Malamutes.

These breeds don't need any extra insulation, and dressing them in dog sweaters could cause them to overheat.

However, some large dog breeds may also benefit from wearing a large dog sweater. Great Danes or Greyhounds have short coats that do not provide insulation, so these dogs can get cold quickly.

Always remember to take of dogs' clothes while you are indoors to prevent overheating.

Signs of overheating are:

• excessive panting
• scratching at the sweater, trying to get it off

If you notice any of these signs, take the sweater of your dog immediately.

World Dog Finder team