{"id":3441,"date":"2017-12-05T06:38:12","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T12:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.diamondpet.wearewoodruff.xyz\/?p=3441"},"modified":"2025-01-06T10:49:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T16:49:45","slug":"dog-fur-cold-weather-myth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/culture\/myths\/do-dogs-need-coats-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Debarking Pet Myths: Do Dogs Need Coats in the Winter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to \u201cDebarking Pet Myths,\u201d a monthly series dedicated to addressing common myths, misconceptions and old wives\u2019 tales about dogs and cats.<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for people to believe this month\u2019s myth that dogs can tolerate cold weather because of their fur. Dogs have built-in coats, so it might be easy to assume that they\u2019re already equipped for cold weather. But if you look at a dog\u2019s natural coat in the same way you look at a human\u2019s choice of coat, it\u2019s easy to see that some are good for colder temperatures and some, well, they\u2019re pretty to look at.<\/p>\n

Do Dogs Need Winter Coats?<\/h2>\n

Yes, there is sometimes a need for winter dog jackets. When it comes down to it, even the thickest, most luxurious fur won\u2019t protect a dog from certain temperatures. It might seem counterintuitive to knit your husky a sweater, but domesticated dogs simply aren\u2019t built to survive unaided in the harshest environments. The reality is, even with conditioning, sometimes it can get too cold for dogs to spend long periods of time outside, especially without proper shelter and nutrition.<\/p>\n

Do Dogs Get Cold in the Winter?<\/h2>\n

\u201cCold\u201d is relative. Winter in Florida is vastly different from winter (or fall or spring) in Minnesota. If you\u2019re used to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you might bundle up the second the thermometer drops below 45 degrees. Dogs are no different, and they might even be more susceptible to temperature changes because they\u2019re in direct contact with the ground.<\/p>\n

Just like with people, dogs\u2019 cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat density, age, nutritional status, amount of body fat, activity level and health. Northern and mountain dog breeds with a thick undercoat tend to do best in winter: Siberian huskies, Samoyeds, Alaskan malamutes, Great Pyrenees, Icelandic sheepdogs, Newfoundlands and others. But even members of these breeds need to acclimate to cold weather and are at risk during subzero temperatures.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s generally agreed that once temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, no dog should be out in the elements for very long without protection. Dogs with thicker, heartier coats (huskies, Saint Bernards, etc.) will likely be okay for longer periods, but small dogs, thin-coated dogs, puppies, senior dogs or sick dogs might need to be bundled up even for quick trips. Every dog, however, is at risk of frostbite or even hypothermia if left in those temperatures for very long.<\/p>\n

Sometimes Winter Coats for Dogs Are Needed<\/h2>\n

As beautiful as a dog\u2019s coat may be, fur isn\u2019t a perfect insulator, especially when it\u2019s very cold. Regardless of breed, even thick- and double-coated dogs are vulnerable to cold-weather health threats such as frostbite and hypothermia.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that there\u2019s more to weather than just the thermometer reading. Wind can slice through even the thickest fur coat, exponentially affecting a static temperature. For dogs with thin fur, \u201cwind chill\u201d takes on a whole new meaning.<\/p>\n

Wet weather, either due to rain and snow or just wet ground, can be the most dangerous thing of all when the temperature drops below freezing. With prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, direct contact with moisture on the skin can quickly lead to frostbite, so watch those paws.<\/p>\n

Most frostbite danger occurs when the temperature or wind chill are near or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged exposure to the cold results in severe tissue damage in the extremities such as the dog\u2019s ears, paws or tail.<\/p>\n

Hypothermia occurs when a dog\u2019s body temperature falls below normal; for dogs, normal is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common cause of hypothermia in dogs is prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures.<\/p>\n

Best Dog Jackets for Winter<\/h2>\n

There are dozens of dog winter coats available to keep your dog warm. Some are essentially soft fleece blankets that are made for dogs, while other dog jackets are more functional, e.g., water resistant materials, pockets, reflective accents. You\u2019ll have to decide what\u2019s right for your dog, but here are some important things to consider when searching for a good dog coat:<\/p>\n