Once you have determined if your dog needs a sweater or coat by reading our recent article, “Does My Dog Need A Coat or Sweater In Winter”, it’s time to figure out how to pick out winter gear for your pup.
What materials should I look for?
Dog coats and sweaters come in a variety of materials, the most common being fleece, wool and cotton. While wool is will keep your dog nice and toasty, keep in mind that it may cause itching and can be a bit difficult to clean.
Whatever material you chose, you’ll want to make sure that it’s easy to clean and comfortable for your pooch.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow or rain you’ll want a coat material that is water-resistant, similar to the material used for people coats.
How to do I find clothes that fit my dog?
Just like you would measure yourself before you buy clothes – you need to measure your dog.
You’ll want to measure around your dog’s neck, around the largest part of their chest and the length of their back from neck to the base of the tail.
You want to assure that whatever you buy for you dog fits snuggly but not too tight. You don’t want your dog to be able to take off the garment easily but you also don’t want it to be restricting.
When trying clothes on your dog, pay special attention to the area under their armpit to be sure it’s not too tight and cutting into their skin. You’ll also want to make sure there is enough room under their belly so they can go potty without peeing on any material (especially if you have a boy dog).
Whatever garments you chose, be sure there are no lose hanging parts like zippers, buttons or tags that your dog could potentially chew off. If you’re buying a coat, it’s okay if it has a hook to be attached to a leash because it’s designed to be worn under your constant supervision (while on a walk).
If it’s possible, bring your dog with you to try on different sweaters and coats to see what fits best!
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