Dog coats haven’t always been seen on man’s best friend. In fact, if you were to rewind to about a decade ago you’d find that seeing a dog walking down the street in some sort of clothing would have been considered a little strange.
Nowadays, especially with most families becoming smaller and smaller, dogs have become integral parts of the family. This drive has pretty much resulted in dogs becoming the additional child. Of course, you would never really let your child go out without protection or without looking smart and that has been what has led to the use of dog coats and other forms of dog clothing.
Dog coats come in all shapes and sizes, for all sorts of breeds from small ones to big ones and this has made it much easier for many owners to purchase these must-have accessories. These dog coats come in all colors; combinations of red, green, yellow and even purple are common when it comes to choosing the right one for your dog’s personality. There are, however, a few rules when it comes to choosing dog coats for your furry family member and if you’re finding it hard, here are a few tips on choosing the right dog coats for different dogs.
Choosing dog coats
Furry Tip 1 – Don’t forget the weather
The main function of dog coats has primarily always been for weather protection. That is why in choosing dog coats you’ve got to consider how much protection they’ll need in the climate you’re living in. For areas that are generally sunny and warm you don’t really need dog coats. In fact, in those areas they would be considered more of a fashion accessory than a need. This is drastically different in areas which experience snow or colder areas that are experiencing cold rain. Dog coats are essential in these types of areas to keep your dogs warm and toasty.
Furry Tip 2 – Washing is good
Dog coats come in two kinds: the washable and the disposable. You would really only need disposable dog coats if you were taking a trip to a location that is completely different from the climate that you live in. Otherwise, it really is more advisable to get dog coats that can be washed so that they are fresh and clean after use. Dogs will be dogs after all and you can’t really prevent them from getting dirty.
Furry Tip 3 – To fasten or not to fasten
You’re obviously going to want your dog coats to be easy to put on. The harder the dog coats are to put on, the less you’re likely to make you dog wear them. Dog coats that are hard to wear take time to put on resulting in an uncomfortable time for you as well as your dog. Most people like to use dog coats that have fasteners made of Velcro as these aren’t just durable but they also make the dog coats easier to put on.
Furry Tip 4 – Size does matter
Dog coats are dog’s clothing and thus, just like human clothing they’ve got to be measured as well. Take measurements to make sure the dog coats you buy actually fit on your dog. It makes sense to measure the biggest parts of your dog as these are going to be the most troublesome to fit. Just like humans, dogs can be broader at the chest so it’s important for you to measure their chest accurately. After measuring, it’s also a good idea to add an allowance of roughly 2 centimetres as this will allow for movement. Do the same around their necks. Make sure that you measure your dog from the neck to the start of their tail as this is the length the dog coats have to be in order to fit him/her correctly.
Choosing the Right Dog Coats for the Climate
In choosing dog coats, you will notice that the first tip was to make sure you considered the weather. This is because, as stated earlier, weather would be the main reason you would consider buying dog coats. Just as humans adjust their clothing to the weather so do dogs, so here are some materials you should consider when buying your dog coats.
Sunny and warm – If the weather in your area is sunny and warm and all you want are fashion accessories then choosing lightweight dog coats are your best option. Dogs have fur to naturally protect them from moderate weather conditions so adding another layer of thick padding isn’t really going to be helpful for them. They’re probably end up hating their dog coat and not end up using them.
Snowy and freezing – If it snows a lot in your area then dog coats are absolutely necessary for your dog. In this type of climate your dog should be wearing well insulated and padded dog coats. Fleece is one type of material that works really well for these types of dog coats. These kinds of dog coats will help protect them from harsh winds and even just the cold of the snow. It is also a good idea to protect your dog’s feet with warm boots to also keep their feet warm and toasty.
Rainy and gloomy – If rain is the main culprit in your area, or you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain during a particular season then it’s definitely a good idea for you to buy several dog coats that are waterproof. Polyester is typically used for these waterproof coats and they are padded with fleece or another insulating type of material.
Man’s best friend and additional family member deserves nothing but the best. When you’ve been able to choose a good, sturdy, weather-proof material you can move forward to look at various design and color options. All of these things combined will ensure that your dog isn’t just warm and comfortable but happy and zippy at the same time. Show your dogs that you love them by providing them that care and attention they also give you – get them some good dog coats.