From our guide, you should now know what sweater is best for your buddy. And now that you know, we will be heading to the reviews so you can make your choice. Ready? Let’s go!
If you think you’re the only one feeling the bite of winter, you’re forgetting that your beloved pet suffers equally through the cold. Even though dogs are covered head to toe in fur, some of them are still prone to cold weather conditions. Understandably, dogs with dense, long or double coats might not feel the harsh climate as much, but smaller breeds, seniors or dogs with health conditions tend to downright freeze.
So, how do you know that your dog is cold? You’ll be able to tell with these three tell-tale signs:
Firstly, if your dog keeps hesitating to
go outside to potty, and would rather do that inside the house even though you’ve trained him, then he might be feeling the chill a little too much. So, it’s not that he’s a bad dog, he’s just too cold to get up and go out.
Secondly, if your pup won’t sleep
in her house and would rather snuggle with you on your bed, then she might be dreading the winter weather. To increase the temperature in her dog house, you could add a heater which she’ll undoubtedly appreciate.
Thirdly, if he starts to shiver uncontrollably, that’s a very bad sign. At this point, your dog is really, really cold, so don’t let it get this far.
Now, since winter is coming (and not the cool, Game of Thrones kind of winter), you should be thinking about the many ways you can keep your furkin warm. We’ve already mentioned
heating his house. One other item you can’t afford to miss purchasing is a sweater, especially if your dog is a small breed, has a short, thin coat, or a health condition.
If you have a large breed dog that has a very thick coat like a Malamute, Saint Bernard, or Siberian Husky, then you might not have to bother with a sweater since some heavy-coated breeds overheat in them. On the other hand, short or thin-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds, Terriers and Pinschers, will need a hand to keep warm.
As there are so many kinds of sweaters for dogs, you’ll have to be super picky about the kind you get for your furry friend. Here, we show you how to land the best dog sweater for your pet. Stay with us!
Price
Trust us, you can get a dog sweater on whatever budget you’ve allotted yourself. Price-wise, sweaters will usually go for between $10 and $100, and some models will even cost more. Of course, you shouldn’t expect a $10 sweater to have the same degree of attractiveness as one that costs $100. However, warmth is the goal, so design shouldn’t be the end-all factor.
While you may be looking for a cheap dog sweater to save a few bucks, it might not be the best idea. Many are not made of warm, durable materials and will hardly keep your pup warm let alone last the first few weeks of winter. Remember, sweaters are unnatural to dogs, so you need to go for something that gives them the most comfort. Frankly, cheap dog sweaters are not what’s going to provide them with the much needed insolation and protection.
Features
Before buying a dog sweater, you’ll need to check out these features to give you a better idea of clothing options. We’re sure you’re itching to find the perfect protective garment, so without further ado, let’s get to it:
- Material
- Size and fit
- Comfort
- Colors and patterns
Let’s get into the details already!
Construction and Design
When it comes to warmth, there’s no material quite like wool, and for good reason too. Wool dog sweaters are incredibly cozy, but you’ll have to consider its itchiness factor. One way around this is to wash the sweater often to soften the material. So, if you must do wool, get a machine-washable one that your pup will happily display at the dog park.
There’s also the option of going for cotton sweaters with fleece lining for added warmth. But, if you’re the type to take your dog out for walks in the rain, then you’ll definitely need a water-proof sweater to keep your dog dry as well as warm.
Always measure your dog before you get him a sweater. There are different sized sweaters for different sized dogs, although sizes might vary slightly with brands. So, what size is best for your dog?
Small size: This is ideal for dogs with a torso length of 12inches (30 centimeters), neck circumference of 12 inches (30 centimeters), and a chest circumference of 16 inches (41 centimeters). Dog breeds that would most likely fit these measurements and therefore, require a small sized sweater are Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and other dogs that are equally small in size.
Medium size: This size is best for dogs with a torso length of 16 inches (41 centimeters), neck circumference of 14 inches (36 centimeters), and a chest circumference of 20 inches (51 centimeters). Dog breeds with similar measurements include Cocker Spaniels, Bassett Hounds and Bulldogs.
Large size: For dogs with a torso length of 20 inches (51 centimeters), neck circumference of 18 inches (46 centimeters), and a chest circumference of 24 inches (61 centimeters), you would need to get a large sized sweater. An example of such a dog would be a Chow Chow, Irish Terrier, Beagle and dogs of a similar size.
If your dog isn’t exactly within any of the categories we’ve listed above, then there are options of an extra small or an extra large size, depending on the size of your dog.
Performance and Ease of Use
For your dog’s comfort, we suggest you opt for plain sweaters without hooks, buttons, or zippers. The reason we advise this is because these things can annoy your dog and possibly pose a choking hazard. So, get a plain sweater that’s snug, but not too tight. Simple, unadorned sweaters also allow for easy dressing and removal, which means a whole lot less stress for both you and your pup.
When it comes to your dog’s freedom of movement, get a sweater with head and leg holes that are comfortable to move in without inconvenience. Even though they need enough space to move freely without feeling constricted, their clothes shouldn’t hang off their body. Basically, it should be just big enough for comfort.
As for colors and patterns, there are no rules. Just get something that you and your dog like. There are several patterns and colors available for dog sweaters, so it shouldn’t be too difficult getting something that looks attractive, trendy, and stylish.
For care and maintenance, machine-washable clothes are the most convenient. Let’s face it, dogs get into a lot of messy situations. If it’s not mud, it’s rain, and if it’s not sleet, it’s snow. This is an animal we’re talking about, so it just makes sense to go with a machine-washable sweater. In the end, it’s a lot more practical.
On an important side note, even if your dog does need a sweater, you may be in for a fight. That beloved pooch, the one that’s shivering uncontrollably and trying to drag you back home, won’t necessarily welcome the idea of wearing a cute, little sweater. The thing is, wearing clothes is a tad unnatural for them. So, the first few times you attempt to dress them might be a struggle. However, in time, they’ll adjust.
On the other hand, if it appears that your dog isn’t adjusting to wearing one, he probably doesn’t like that particular sweater and you might need to get him another one.
Finally, if your dog is going to be wearing his sweater indoors for long periods of time, try to remove the sweater at intervals so they don’t overheat or get an itchy rash.
Now that you have taken the time to go through our review, you’re better informed as to which dog sweater would fit best for your pet. You can now shop with confidence.
