Man’s best friend is arguably one of the cutest creatures that can be — from their naturally endowed beauty to the unique intelligence and companionship that they offer. Do you know what makes them even cuter? Dog sweaters! While the concept of dog sweaters might not be so clear to you, here are some basic things you need to know before getting a dog sweater for your pet.
How to Know If Your Dog Needs a Sweater
If you have a dog with thick fur and familiar with the cold weather, you likely don’t need to get them sweaters. However, there are other indicators to observe. That way, you can best decide whether or not your dog needs some cute doggie sweaters. These indicators include:
Size
Smaller dogs don’t do so well with cold weather. For their warmth in winter, they need as much insulation they can get as possible.
Age
Like humans, aged dogs experience lower body efficiency. Their bodies usually have a hard time generating and retaining body heat. So, when your dog is getting older, consider getting him some sweaters for that extra body protection, warmth, and comfort.
Behavior and Reactions
With each dog possessing its generally unique traits and qualities — it is usually best to closely monitor your pet’s behavior and reactions to the different seasons in general. If your dog does not like the idea of going out of the house or shivers unnaturally, then you should consider getting them one of the best dog sweaters for winter.
Benefits of Dog Sweaters
While there’s been a long-standing argument against the usefulness of dog sweaters — dog sweaters are indeed beneficial to your dog. For beyond the extra cuteness it brings, dog sweaters offer more than just a fashion statement. Some of the essential benefits of dog sweaters include:
Regulating Body Temperature
Many dog breeds do not possess sufficiently thick furs to get through the winter cold comfortably. For dogs without enough thick skins, putting on that favorite dog sweater makes it more pleasant for him to go for a walk outside or even stay warm inside without much discomfort.
Protect Them Against Other Harsh Elements
Dog sweaters aren’t only useful in protecting your pet against the winter cold. Your dog also needs protection from other elements such as; sunlight, snow, rain, wind, and even sharp objects. The dog sweaters can, however, serve as protective gear against these.
Protect Against Allergies
For dogs with allergies or itchy ones, dog sweaters can help reduce their exposure to specific triggers. It makes their skin less accessible to them, acts as a barrier between their skin and allergens, and help relieve symptoms. On the other hand, dog sweaters help trap danders that can incite human allergies — facilitating easy collection by preventing these danders from falling all over the floor, bed, and other furniture.
Improves Hygiene
While dogs aren’t much well-groomed as cats are, they can get so playful and all dirtied up sometimes. However, Dog sweaters can help reduce the amount of dirt they can accumulate on their bodies and fur at once, thereby leaving them much cleaner at a time with lesser bathe and grooming trips.
They are Stylish
One great perk of getting dog sweaters is undoubtedly the beauty and stylishness that comes with them. Whether you’re just going for a dog walk or attending a family event, taking photos, or entertaining your guests, dressing up your dog in a stylish sweater is a good step in improving its appearance in an elegant way.
Things to Consider When Picking a Suitable Dog Sweater
Getting the perfect dog sweater for your pet can be quite a tricky task — because your dog cannot speak directly to you on what is best for him, some useful tips will go a long way in helping you make the right choice. Here are some things to consider when getting your dog’s outfit:
Measurement
When getting a sweater for your dog, it is most important to consider your dog’s size and which outfit will fit him best. To reduce the chances of getting an oversized or undersized coat for your pet, here are three significant measurements to take when getting a sweater for your dog;
The Length of the Back
Just as the name suggests, this is the length of your dog’s back, from the neck’s base to the tail’s beginning.
The Chest Girt
The chest girth refers to the measurement at the particular point where the dog’s rib cage is the widest. In most cases, it is just behind the front legs.
The Neck Girth
This measurement is for the width of your dog’s back. You are to take this measurement from the bottom.
Comfort
It is essential to pick a coat that your pet finds comfortable. While most dogs will not hesitate to react to uncomfortable clothing, others might not be so expressive — hence, you’d need to pay even closer attention to your dog to detect its level of comfort at any given point in time. Ensure that your pet can walk, run, jump, stretch, and climb comfortably in its outfit. On the other hand, if your dog finds it uncomfortable putting on a sweater indoors, especially in a well-heated environment, do not hesitate to pull it off.
Materials
Consider putting more attention to the nature of fabrics you’re about to get for your dog. Ensure that the material will not pull off your dog’s fur or harm it in any other way. Most importantly, some dogs are allergic to certain fabrics — identify your pet’s allergies and be sure not to get it a coat made of materials that he finds allergic.
Durability
The durability of the sweaters is another vital consideration to make when getting your dog sweaters. Because you would not want to waste money purchasing new clothing now and then, and you’d also not want to keep going over the same stress of determining the best dog sweaters for it every other winter. Consider buying your dog a highly durable sweater whenever you go dog-clothing-shopping.
In the end, no matter the sweater you end up choosing for your dog, be sure to confirm that it feels very comfortable in it! If your dog does not like the coat you get for him, please do not force it on! Keep trying till you get that perfect sweater!