Do Dogs Need Coats in Winter?

Some dogs need a coat in winter. Some are wearing a better one than anything you can buy. The honest answer depends on your specific dog, and it is worth knowing which category yours falls into rather than guessing in either direction.

Dogs who usually do need a coat

• Small and toy breeds. Chihuahuas, Italian greyhounds, miniature pinschers, toy poodles. A high surface area relative to body mass means they lose heat fast.
• Thin or single coated breeds. Greyhounds, whippets, boxers, dobermans, dachshunds with smooth coats. No dense undercoat to trap warm air.
• Very short haired breeds. French bulldogs, pugs, and similar.
• Puppies. They regulate temperature less efficiently than adults.
• Senior dogs. Reduced circulation, less muscle mass, and often arthritis that cold makes worse.
• Dogs who are unwell or recovering. Ask your vet, but the answer is usually yes.
• Recently clipped dogs. A groom in December removes the insulation they were relying on.

Dogs who usually do not

Double coated northern breeds are built for this. Huskies, malamutes, samoyeds, german shepherds, bernese mountain dogs, newfoundlands, and most spitz types have a dense undercoat that traps a layer of warm air against the skin.

Putting a coat on these dogs can compress that undercoat and make them less warm, not more, as well as risking overheating on a brisk walk. If your dog is happily lying in the snow, believe them.

Rough temperature guidance

These are starting points, not rules, and wind and wet shift them significantly.

• Above 7C or 45F. Most healthy dogs are comfortable without anything.
• 0C to 7C, or 32F to 45F. Small, thin coated, senior, and very young dogs benefit from a layer.
• Below 0C or 32F. Most dogs outside the double coated group want a coat, and walks should be shorter.
• Below minus 6C or 20F. Limit time outside for every dog regardless of breed, and watch paws as well as body.

Wind and rain matter more than the number on the thermometer. A wet dog at 5C is losing heat far faster than a dry dog at 0C, which is why a water resistant outer layer often does more good than a thicker fleece.

How to tell your dog is actually cold

Shivering is the obvious one, but watch for a hunched posture with a tucked tail, lifting paws off the ground or refusing to put one down, slowing down or trying to turn back, whining, or seeking shelter. Cold ear tips and a cold tail base are useful physical checks.

Equally, watch for the opposite. Heavy panting, drooling, or a dog trying to lie down in the snow while wearing a coat means the coat is too warm and should come off.

Choosing the right layer

Match the layer to the weather rather than buying one coat for everything.

• Dry and cold. A fleece or cotton layer for warmth, like the Carrot Cuddle Fleece Dog Coat or the Snug Meadow Cotton Dog Sweater.
• Wet. A water resistant outer layer matters more than thickness. Something like the Puddle Glow Reflective Dog Raincoat, which also helps with visibility on dark afternoons.
• Cold and wet together. A warm layer under a water resistant one, if your dog tolerates both.

What good fit looks like

Coverage from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, clear of the tail itself. No pulling across the chest or shoulders, and full freedom of movement in the front legs. Nothing tight at the throat. Belly straps snug enough that the coat does not rotate, loose enough for two fingers underneath.

A coat that restricts the shoulders will be refused, and reasonably so. Measure chest girth and back length before ordering, and check the chart on the specific product. Our guide to measuring your dog or cat for clothes walks through it.

Do not forget paws

Road salt and grit irritate paw pads and are harmful if licked off afterwards. Rinse and dry paws when you get home, whatever your dog is wearing.

If you are unsure whether your dog needs a layer, your vet knows your dog and is the right person to ask. Browse our winter coats and sweaters when you have your measurements ready.