Dog Coat Choices Have Come A Long Way
When I was young our schnauzer had a form fitted black and red plaid coat. The fabric was rough. It always looked a bit dirty and the under the belly buttons were difficult to access and the buttons seemed to large for the button holes. As a result we only managed to wrestle the coat on to the unwilling dog once or twice at the start of each winter and for the balance of the winter the poor dog was cold.
These days responsible pet owners know that it is important to protect your dogs from the elements. Accordingly, there are many, many different types of dog coats on the market. You can choose from the strictly functional to the flashy-splashy, from the moderately priced to the less-moderately priced. There are coat styles more suitable to short haired dogs and coat styles more suitable to longer haired dogs. Some dog coats are water-proof, while other coats are insulated. Some people like to have a lighter weight dog coat for the milder days. There are coats that your dog can step into, coats that wrap around with Velcro fasteners, and coats that are similar to capes with a waist band. Some coats designed for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry items such as dog toys or gloves. A nice feature to look for in a coat is some sort of reflective strip to add to the safety of your pet.
Dog coat designs come in a wide range of colours and styles. There are so many different dog coats on the market that it can be difficult to choose the right coat for your dog. The four most important considerations in choosing a coat for your dog are outlined below.
1. Regional weather. Is the coat needed to protect your dog from the elements or is it a style thing? If you live in a temperate climate and the temperature rarely goes below freezing then you needn’t worry too much about the insulation factor of the coat and, in fact, should be careful that the coat doesn’t make your dog overheat. If you live in an area that has severe winters then you should look for a coat that is both insulated and wind proof and uses fabrics such as gortex. You may also want to look for a coat that is water proof especially if you live in an area that experiences freezing rain.
2. Can the coat be machine washed? Dog coats can get grubby very quickly and sometimes can get soiled by the dog relieving himself. Only consider dog coats that can be thrown into the washing machine. Keeping the coat clean will depend on your dog. Hopefully, during the spring thaw it will be warm enough that your dog can go coat-less. Expect to wash the coat twice per year.
3. How will you dog behave while being dressed? Is he or she a wiggler? If the coat is tricky to put on then your dog will likely have a cold winter. Look for a coat with easy to handle closures such as good quality zippers or Velcro strip fasteners
4. How big is your dog? What size dog coat should you buy? Before you start searching for the perfect dog coat you need to take a few measurements. Measure around the broadest part of his chest and add two centimeters. Measure again the circumference of the neck and add two centimeters. Lastly, measure your dog from the start of the tail to the base of the neck. Keep these measurements handy when you when shopping for a new dog coat.
Keep reading on my-dog-has-fleas.com to find out more on pet coats.
