How to choose A Dog Coat?
What should you look for when buying a dog coat? What is best for your particular situation? Have you considered everything before purchasing your own dog coat?
1. Size
When buying a dog coat for your little one, size is probably the very first thing you should look at! Don’t always stop at the tag because listed sizes can be deceiving. Does it also list a recommended weight, along with a picture of a dog wearing that particular size?
- Cotton and wool fabrics tend to shrink in the wash. Make sure your new dog coat is machine washable!
2. Material
What is the purpose of your new dog coat? Is it just meant to be cute, or actually keep your pet warm? Do you want something that is waterproof or water absorbent, or does it matter? How durable do you want your dog’s new jacket to be?
All of these things will depend on the material of the coat. Coats with fleece lining may help keep your pupper warm during windy weather. Wool is warm but might not always be the most comfortable (does it have an extra lining?). Cotton fabrics are breathable and comfortable.
- For Raincoats, reflective strips are important for road safety, if only a precaution. They are also important for hiking.
3. Style
This is probably the second most sought after feature people look for in dog coats! What style of coat do you want?
Fall Jacket
Are you looking for a simple dog jacket that covers most of your dog’s body, without all of the ‘frills’ of more expensive dog coats? Something that might work in mild Fall weather could be great for you!
Rain Coat
Are you looking for a waterproof raincoat to keep your pupper dry when he or she ventures outside to complete his/her business? For smaller or warm weather breeds that didn’t evolve a water-resistant coat, this will help keep your little one’s skin dry, which will, in turn, keep those skin oils from washing away.
Winter Coat
Are you looking for a puffy winter coat to keep the wind, along with as much snow as possible, at bay? You might want something with a fleece or wool lining. While you’re at it, consider investing in dog booties to keep those little toe beans warm!
Hiking Vest
It’s more function you want here. A good hiking vest will work as a full-body harness, offering a loop for your lead and eliminating the need for a collar. You’ll have Velcro patches for reflective strips so you can be seen at night, as well as patches for your contact information in case your pet is lost.
You really don’t want to take most smaller breeds or warm weather breeds (i.e. Saluki, Basenji, Beagle) hiking someplace where the temperature falls dangerously low, no matter the size of coat you have. This should be reserved for northern breeds that evolved/were bred among those climates.
4. Price
People often look at the price before anything else! When it comes to clothing, this could be a signifier of quality, but might not mean anything at all. High quality dog coats, the most durable coats out there, will probably be more expensive.
- Don’t be fooled into paying a high price for something that looks fancy but won’t last long!
5. Brand Name
This might be the most important quality people look for when buying a dog coat! You want a brand you know you can trust, something that has been purchased.
Sometimes, the brand name can say more about the coat than anything else! Imagine ‘Wolverine’ or ‘Timberland’ boots (for example). These are names most have heard repeatedly, even if we’ve never worn boots in our life. You know a pair of Timberland hiking boots is probably a good investment before even seeing the boots themselves.
Invest in a Brand Name you can trust and has many positive reviews! This is probably a better purchase than any random dog coat made by someone you’ve never met or heard of.
