4 principles for buying a winter jacket for your dog

Winter is just around the corner, so we're looking for all sorts of jackets, overalls, and sheepskin coats that will fulfill basic functions, be practical, and be visually appealing. What should we pay attention to and how to check if winter clothing will be a hit?

Material

Remember that a winter jacket should be made of outer materials that are waterproof and protect our four-legged friend from the icy wind. Winter clothing should primarily provide thermal insulation with its inner lining. The fabric that directly touches the dog's body should not irritate the skin and should be pleasant to the touch so that the dog feels comfortable wearing outerwear and does not feel "out of place." Often, materials like fleece are sewn in. Between the layers of the jacket, there is a padding that helps maintain the proper temperature. It's worth noting whether the clothing has a hood or not. Some dogs do not like to have anything on their heads, so it's worth getting a jacket with a detachable hood, or, in the case of a quilted insulated jacket, one without a hood. There's no point in forcing a dog to wear such an accessory. There are also various coats and sheepskin coats available for small and large dogs, which can serve as an excellent winter option—they are insulated with warm fur or lambskin, and have additional waist adjustments, making it easier to fit the clothing to the dog.

Putting on and fastening your pet's clothing

Some four-legged friends really dislike having jackets put on or fastened on their belly, so it's wise to buy something that can be fastened on the pet's back. A hooded vest is put on traditionally, meaning the fastening is on the belly. Most dogs don't have problems with this type of clothing, so many jackets are produced this way, and the selection is truly large. However, a camo winter jacket with a harness is a second option – the zipper is on the back, which provides comfort for putting on outerwear for dogs who cannot stand any fastenings on the belly side. There's no point in tormenting your pet when, fortunately, there are different possibilities. Currently, it's rare to find a jacket that is put on like a sweatshirt or sweater, but I believe nothing is lost. One of the two fastening methods mentioned above will certainly be suitable for your four-legged friend.

Proper size selection

The size of the jacket is the most important issue. Remember to measure your dog correctly and add extra centimeters to the measurements. The allowance in measurements will prevent general discomfort when wearing outerwear and will not restrict daily activity. General rules for measuring clothing are presented in another article, but as a reminder, the most important values are three:

• chest circumference at the widest point,
• neck circumference,
• the length of the pet from the shoulder line to the beginning of the tail.

These three accurate measurements guarantee that you can choose the right size yourself; if you have doubts whether it's well-chosen, feel free to ask for help! It's better that way than to choose a too-small winter jacket and then additionally waste time on formalities related to an exchange.

Additional clothing

The truth is, even with an appropriate jacket or sheepskin coat, some dogs still feel cold—they are more susceptible to cold due to illness, past surgery, and resulting weakness or age. In such situations, we recommend purchasing an additional sweatshirt, sweater, or other clothing to wear under the outerwear. It's obvious that dogs are different, and we have often encountered such situations, hence our experience and the needs of the four-legged friend, as presented by the owner, speak through us in this matter. You can also try buying shoes for the jacket—they also solved the problem of cold, which often bothers dogs on colder or frosty days. If you are currently facing the choice of the right jacket, coat, or other outerwear, I hope this post will help you make a choice, and your four-legged friend will no longer have to suffer from the cold.