Must-Have Accessories and Dog Coats for Winter Weather

Fido, it’s cold outside. Those of us without a fur coat are accustomed to piling on the sweaters, coats, hats and gloves before heading out into unforgiving winter weather, but what about our canine companions? Accessories and dog coats for winter weather are key if you live in or around a cold climate.

There are a lot of products out there, and the key to choosing the right ones, says Greg Price, DVM, the Ohio-based owner/operator of Town & Country Veterinary Clinic, is pretty simple: Know your dog. “You really need to pay attention to your pet,” he says.

“If they look cold, they probably are. [Choosing appropriate cold-weather gear] really involves more common sense than anything else. If you’re just going out for a five-minute potty break, you probably don’t have much to worry about. But if you’re going out for a two- to three-mile walk, really pay attention to your dog’s behavior,” Price says.

Not surprisingly, smaller dogs warrant more consideration than their larger brethren. “They don’t have as much of a core to hold their heat, whereas that big Lab or other bigger dogs have more of a core. Small dogs aren’t winter-hardy — they have fine hair, short coats, and that makes them more susceptible to chill,” Price says. 

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Vetstreet’s Favorite Accessories and Dog Coats for Winter Weather

Sure, their natural coat provides some protection against the cold and the elements, but many dogs can still benefit from some additional help in the form of cold-weather accessories and coats.

Cable Knit Sweater for Dogs in Winter

When it comes to cold weather, the Chilly Dog cable dog sweater is ideal.

Laura Clark, owner of Wylie Wagg, a Northern Virginia-based chain of pet accessory stores, advises her clients to seriously consider sweaters and coats for larger breeds too. “I think most dogs really do best with a coat or at least a sweater in colder climates. The normal house pet that spends a lot of time indoors, they’re not going to develop that thick undercoat of fur, and they’re going to get cold just like we do. If you’re cold outside, your pet is probably cold — for me, that’s a good way to gauge it.”

Of course, reaching for the cutest coat on the shelf is a temptation for all pet owners, but Clark advises against simply going for what’s most visually appealing. “[Cuteness is] not really the goal here,” Clark says. “The goal is to keep your pet warm.”

PAWZ Booties for Dogs

Staying protected in winter is about more than just covering the body — feet and foot pads need attention too. Clark is a big proponent of the Pawz line of booties, which are made of durable, eco-friendly rubber, and protect paws from wet, cold snow and the chemicals we humans use to melt it. “[Pawz booties] look a bit like balloons, but they’re much tougher rubber and reusable … they’re not necessarily for warmth but more for protection against ice crystals, chemicals, things like that,” Clark says.

If you choose a bootie with more insulation, Price advocates for quality over cost. “A lot of my clients will use some of the boots — people who like to hike a lot, do dogsled sort of stuff, or take their dogs on skiing trips — it takes the dogs a bit to get used to them, but most dogs do OK. But you definitely want to stick with your more high-end boots,” if you expect them to stay on and last longer than a few trips, Price says.

Paw Protection for Dogs

Products like Musher’s Secret are great for dogs that have a hard time tolerating booties or other foot coverings of any stripe. Clark recommends her clients use it on dry, rough noses too: “Noses and pads tend to get cracked during the winter, so this balm can help with that. [Musher’s Secret] moisturizes and conditions so you don’t get painful cracks. It’s a really good product that’s been around for years, and it definitely works,” she said.

Insulated Water-Resistant Dog Jacket

This packable winter jacket from Ruffwear is ideal for cold weather. The vest design provides ideal coverage while the reflective accents allow dogs to be seen in low light conditions. The covered side release buckles make it easy for pet parents to put on and take off. The recycled 250g high loft polyester keeps dogs nice and warm. When it comes to dog coats for winter weather, Ruffwear is a top brand.

Paw Soother Paw Balm

Made with coconut oil and vitamin E, Natural Dog Company offers a dog paw balm for cracked paws. It is lick-safe and soothes paw pads. Made in the USA and crafted with non-toxic ingredients, this balm is ideal for a first aid kit and can be used year-round.

Dog Ear Warmer

iChoue offers an adorable snood-type headpiece for dogs. Each of these ear and head protective coverings features a different animal theme. Maybe one day your dog is a giraffe and another he’s a shark. Made of acrylic fiber to keep dogs warm.

Dog Snowsuit for Winter Weather

Let it snow and let them play. The Hurtta insulated snowsuit for dogs helps keep your dog warm while being completely adjustable. The inner foil liner reflects your dog’s heat back onto him for the ultimate winter weather protection. The 3M reflectors on the front legs keep dogs visible for safety.

Getting Dogs Used to Wearing Clothes and Accessories

Clark also suggests taking any outerwear gear for a “test drive” inside the home before you head out on your winter adventure. “Do it slowly. Have some treats nearby that your pet really enjoys, and make sure you correlate putting on that jacket or boots with getting a treat or getting lots of praise,” she says.

The bottom line for these experts: Listen and pay attention to your pet’s reactions. “Dogs do seem to be hardier in general than we are, and they do seem to tolerate [cold weather] pretty well,” Price says.

“But you’ve just got to pay really close attention and use common sense — if it’s 30 degrees outside, you’re probably not going to have any trouble. But if it’s 15 [degrees] with a wind chill, even the hardiest of dogs is probably going to struggle a little,” he says.