Outside the window, the atmosphere is getting more and more frosty, and you wonder what temperature should tell you that it’s high time to start putting on your dog’s clothes during walks. If so, I created this article to dispel your doubts.
Many dogs need extra support from the cold during walks in cold weather. It is best to reach for dog clothes when the temperature outside the window drops to 0 ° C. If your dog doesn’t like wearing clothes, you can think about insulated harnesses or a chimney for your four-legged friend.
What you will learn from this article:
• Some breeds of dogs need support in winter against low temperatures
• When the temperature outside the window drops to 0°C, it is a sign that the dog may need some clothes
• If your dog doesn’t like clothes, then you might consider insulated harnesses or dog chimneys
Dress the dog in clothes
As soon as the temperature outside drops, I open a wardrobe to get the sweaters hidden at the back that I always put on in a cold summertime. Nothing improves the mood on a cold day, like the possibility of putting on a warm sweater. Then I sit on the couch with a cup of tea, and I can honestly say that I enjoy autumn.
My dog , in such moments, can also count on clothes protection during walks. I know that thanks to them, he feels comfortable and is not afraid of long walks in autumn and winter.
However, do you know at what temperature you should put clothes on your dog? That is fundamental because overheating is as dangerous for the dog as hypothermia. Therefore, if you are unsure what temperature should signal that it is high time to take your pet’s clothes out of the closet, I will answer you.
Do all dogs need clothes?
First, however, let’s consider whether all dogs need additional protection against the cold in the form of clothes. Of course not. Many dogs can fully cope on their own during lower temperatures. I mean here, of course, walks in the winter season, not staying in the cold all day.
Among the dogs that do not need additional protection against the cold, there will undoubtedly be dogs from the wolf family and Labradors or golden retrievers. On the other hand, small dog breeds such as Maltese, Shih Tzu and Chihuahua will need additional support on cold days.
You can read more about what dogs need clothes in my other post, which you can find HERE. Therefore, if you have any doubts about this matter, I hope I can answer all your questions.
From what temperature should a dog put on clothes
You already know that your four-legged friend may need clothes as additional support on cold days. However, how do you know when the moment comes that putting clothes or hoodies on your dog is a good idea?
First, it is worth mentioning here why it is so important to know when to put clothes on your dog and when there is no such need. Overheating the dog’s body is as dangerous and harmful as hypothermia. Therefore, under no circumstances should a dog be dressed in reserve.
That is especially important because it is much more challenging to recognize that your dog is far too warm. It is much easier to observe the fact that the dog is cold. Usually, in such situations, the dog shakes and moves from paw to paw. However, in the case of overheating, the problem is different.
In extreme cases, we can observe that the dog begins to pant very intensively. His tongue sticks out because it’s a dog’s way of cooling down.
However, if your four-legged friend is only slightly hot, it can be challenging to recognize it from his behaviour.
Put on the dog’s clothes when the temperature drops to 0°C
When the temperature outside the window drops to 0°C, it should signal that your four-legged friend may be cold during your walks together. Indeed, it is also starting to be an unpleasant temperature for you.
That is when the frost begins to feel, and the water in the puddles begins to freeze. Whenever the temperature outside drops below 0°C, I reach for gloves when taking my four-legged friend for a walk.
You’re probably wondering, however, how crucial this temperature value is. For me, this is information that the winter weather outside the window begins. However, if I see that my dog is freezing during walks, and the thermometer shows that it is only approaching 0°C, I put clothes on him anyway.
Remember that, first, you should observe your dog’s reactions. It often happens that despite the lack of frost, a cold wind blows outside. It causes the temperature we feel is much lower than the one indicated by the thermometer. Therefore, when deciding whether your dog needs clothes on a walk, you must consider all the circumstances of nature.
Is the temperature a good indicator of when to put clothes on your dog?
So, you’re probably wondering if the temperature is a good indicator of when to put clothes on your dog. However, I believe that, to a large extent, it is a handy tool.
Looking at the temperature outside the window is, in most cases, a perfect hint. Especially if you still have minimal experience caring for dogs and you can’t judge based on observation whether the dog is already cold.
Moreover, it is difficult for some dogs to tell whether they are cold. Not every dog can effectively communicate such things. Therefore, I believe treating temperature as a determinant is the most appropriate approach. Of course, with common sense.
What clothes to choose for a dog
You already know the best time to start dressing your dog for going out for a walk together. However, the question remains, what clothes will be the best option for your dog? A choice that works for many pets is dog sweaters.
However, if your dog especially appreciates freedom and loose style, I recommend that you choose a dog sweatshirt in his case. In the Bowl&Bone Republic assortment, you will find a highly charming line of CLOUD dog sweatshirts.
Some dogs avoid wearing any clothes. In such cases, insulated dog harnesses are great. That is a solution that will appeal to even the grumpiest dogs.
Another solution when your dog does not want to wear clothes is to choose a chimney for the dog. It will provide additional protection against the cold for your four-legged friend on cold days.
Dog chimney scarf |JOY red
A comfortable walk with the dog in winter
The basis for a successful winter walk with your dog is comfort and convenience. Your dog won’t fully enjoy going out together if he’s cold. Therefore, when walking with your dog, always check the temperature outside and whether your dog needs additional protection against the cold that day.
Does your dog like to wear clothes, or is he quite sceptical about it? Please write me your answer in the comment below.
If you have any questions or want me to discuss a topic in the next post, share it in the comments section.