Friday, May 29

Does your dog need a sweater in winter?

Dogs have fur coats that are supposed to protect them from the elements. There are times however when these coats provide insufficient protection from the cold. Puppies are the most prone to shivering in chilly weather. This is because they are unable to keep their body temperatures stable. This is where puppy sweaters from BitchNewYork come in handy.

puppy sweaters from BitchNewYork

Determining whether or not your fur baby needs a sweater is easy. There are a few questions you need to ask to find out if they need a sweater for dogs or not. These questions include the following:

  • What coat does your pet have?

Short-haired dogs need the most protection from the cold winter months of the year. Short haired dogs like Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Beagles need sweaters when they go for a walk in the cold. Dogs that have double coats, such as malamutes and huskies, don’t need sweaters. Putting a sweater on them may even overheat the dog, causing heat stroke.

  • What size is your dog?

Your dog’s size also plays a part in whether or not a sweater or a coat is needed. Pet sweaters should be purchased for toy dogs and other small breeds. Bigger dogs don’t necessarily need sweaters and coats during winter, but this is dependent on the type of fur they have. The reason why small dogs need sweaters is because of their smaller body surface. This does not allow them to generate and maintain enough body heat as bigger dogs.

  • How old is your dog?

As mentioned earlier, puppies are susceptible to shivering in the cold due to their age. This is why they need puppy sweaters from BitchNewYork. They are not the only age bracket for dogs that need sweaters. Older dogs are also prone to feeling cold during winter. This is why dogs that are in their golden years need extra protection during the chilly winter months.

  • Is your dog fat?

Body fat, whether it is in dogs or in humans, help keep the body warm. If your pet is on the pudgy side, they probably don’t need sweaters. If you have a rather skinny dog, like greyhounds and pharaoh hounds, they will need added protection from the cold.

Other considerations for buying sweaters for your dogs

Aside from the abovementioned factors, you also need to check if your dog has joint problems. Arthritic dogs need to keep their joints and the rest of their body warm. Short dogs with their bellies close to the ground also need additional protection from the cold.

Putting a dog in sweater vests may not be the only thing you have to do when winter rolls in. You also have to protect their paws from the icy ground they walk on. For this, you will need to buy booties made for winter use.

If you need clothing for your dog, check out the dog and puppy sweaters from BitchNewYork along with other dog clothing on their site. You will find a lot of great choices for your pet in their catalogs. From sweaters to pajamas to fleece-lined coats, you will find all of these at