Does My Dog Need a Coat? A UK Guide to Dog Clothes for Cold, Wet Weather

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and with them come darker evenings, chillier mornings and plenty of drizzle. Some dogs barely notice. Others start dragging their paws at the front door. Not every dog needs a coat, but for many a good one makes autumn and winter walks more comfortable.

This guide covers which dogs feel the cold most, the signs your dog is chilly, and the main types of dog clothing and when each one makes sense. It also explains how to measure for a coat that fits, and how to keep your dog safe and easy to identify on dark, wet walks.

Does my dog need a coat?

It depends on the dog much more than the weather. Some dogs are naturally built for cold, wet conditions, and others lose heat quickly.

Dogs that usually benefit from a coat

• Short or single-coated breeds, such as Whippets, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Staffies, Boxers and French Bulldogs.
• Small and toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers and Yorkshire Terriers. They lose body heat faster and sit closer to cold, wet ground.
• Lean dogs with little body fat.
• Puppies and older dogs, who find it harder to regulate their temperature.
• Dogs with health conditions, such as arthritis, where cold and damp can make stiffness worse.
• Recently clipped dogs, whose coat hasn't grown back yet.
• Low-slung breeds, such as Dachshunds and Corgis, whose bellies get soaked on wet grass.

Dogs that usually don't

Breeds with thick double coats, such as Huskies, Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands and most Collies, are well insulated already. A heavy coat can make them overheat. A light waterproof layer can still save you a lot of towel time on very wet days, though.

If your dog is elderly or has a health condition and you're not sure, ask your vet. They can tell you what's right for your dog.

Signs your dog is feeling the cold

Dogs can't tell us they're cold, but their body language usually does:

• Shivering or trembling
• A hunched posture or tucked tail
• Lifting paws off the ground or walking slowly
• Reluctance to go out, or turning back towards home
• Looking for warm spots, blankets or your lap once you're back

If you spot these on most walks, a coat is worth trying.

Types of dog clothing and when to use them

"Dog coat" covers a lot of different things. Here's how the main types compare for typical UK autumn and winter weather.

For most dogs that need one, a waterproof coat with a light lining is the most useful all-rounder for a British winter.

How to measure your dog for a coat

A badly fitting coat rubs, slips and gets abandoned in a drawer. Take a few minutes with a soft tape measure before you buy:

1. Back length: from the base of the neck, where the collar sits, to the base of the tail.
2. Chest: around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs.
3. Neck: around the neck where the collar normally sits.

Sizes vary a lot between brands, so always check the size chart for the specific coat. If your dog is between sizes, go by the chest measurement, because a tight chest is the most common cause of rubbing.

How to check the fit

• You can slide two fingers under the straps, but no more.
• Your dog can walk, sit, lie down and shake without the coat twisting.
• Nothing rubs behind the front legs.
• The belly panel keeps the rain off but sits clear for toileting, which is especially important for male dogs.
• The coat covers the back without restricting the shoulders.

Getting your dog used to wearing a coat

Some dogs accept a coat straight away. Others freeze, roll or try to walk backwards out of it. Take it slowly:

1. Let your dog sniff the coat and reward them with a treat.
2. Drape it over their back for a few seconds indoors, then treat and praise.
3. Fasten it for a minute or two, and build up gradually.
4. Put it on just before something your dog loves, such as a walk, so the coat becomes a good sign.

Never force it. If your dog is still clearly distressed after a few days of gentle practice, try a different style. Many dogs who hate step-in designs are happy with a simple wrap-over coat.

Safety tips for cold, rainy walks

Make sure you can both be seen

From late October many of us walk in the dark at both ends of the day. A reflective coat, a light-up collar or a clip-on light makes your dog much easier for drivers and cyclists to spot. Add something reflective for yourself too.

Don't let the coat hide your dog's ID

This one is easy to miss. Many coats sit high on the neck and can completely cover the collar and tag. In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires dogs in public places to wear a collar showing the owner's name and address, either on the collar itself or on a tag attached to it. Microchipping is also a legal requirement, but a finder can only read a chip with a scanner, usually at a vet.

Choose a coat with an opening for the collar or lead, or fit the coat under the collar, and check that the tag still hangs free. A QR ID tag lets whoever finds your dog scan it with their phone and contact you straight away, without a trip to the vet.

Dry off and check paws after every walk

Take wet coats off as soon as you get home and towel your dog down, including the ears, belly and between the toes. Councils grit roads and pavements with rock salt in icy weather. It can irritate paw pads, and dogs often lick it off, so wipe their paws with a damp cloth after walks on gritted routes.

Watch out for antifreeze

Antifreeze often contains ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats, and its sweet taste can tempt them to lick it. Clean up spills on driveways straight away and keep containers sealed and out of reach. If you think your dog has swallowed any, contact your vet immediately. Don't wait for symptoms.

Keep off frozen water

Keep dogs on a lead near frozen ponds, lakes and canals. Ice that looks solid often isn't. If your dog does fall through, don't go onto the ice after them. Call 999 and ask for the fire service.

Take the coat off indoors

Coats are designed for outdoors. Leaving one on in a warm house can make your dog overheat, so take it off when you get home. Don't leave your dog alone in a coat either, as they may chew the straps or get caught.

Caring for your dog's coat

• Wash according to the label. Mud and road grit wear out fabric and fastenings quickly.
• Make sure it's completely dry before the next walk. A damp coat is worse than no coat.
• Check Velcro, clips and stitching regularly, and replace anything worn.
• Re-proof waterproof coats with a fabric-safe spray when water stops beading on the surface.
• Check your dog's skin under the straps now and then for any redness or rubbing.

The bottom line

Not every dog needs a coat, but short-coated, small, young, older and lean dogs often walk more happily with one when the weather turns. Pick the type to match the weather, measure carefully, and introduce it gradually. Keep your dog visible and make sure their ID is never hidden under the coat.