Dog Coats
Do Dogs Really Need Them?
Dogs have a nice furry coat, why would they need another one on top of their own?
That seems like a reasonable question. The answer, however, is not all that simple.
Different breeds of dog have different fur composition and that has much to do
with how warm the dog's own coat is. Another variable to consider is where you
live and what the climate is like there. Canada, the Northeast US or the upper
Midwest have a much more harsh climate than, say, Florida or Arizona.
A key way to determine whether your dog needs a coat in the outdoors is to pay attention
to how she responds to being outside. If your dog begins shivering in the outdoors,
take note of how long you've been outside, what the temperature is, what your activity
level has been, and what the humidity or precipitation conditions are. If you intend
to be in the outdoors in these conditions often, your should seriously consider
a coat for her. If your dog is cold, a coat with a fleece liner and a water resistant
shell would be ideal for sustaining the dog's body temperature. Another thing to
be aware of is that just like with people, when your dog gets wet either from rain
or snow, he will get cold much more quickly. For bad weather conditions, cold,
rain or snow, a water resistant coat will keep your dog warmer and dryer for a longer
period of time.
A nice complement to a dog coat is some sort of reflectivity to make your dog more
visible in the low light of the early morning and evening. Not only will your dog
be warm and comfortable, she will also be safer because she will be visible to oncoming
cars.
When the weather is cold or wet, a dog coat can make your dog much more comfortable.
Take note of how your dog is responding to the weather - if you live in a cold
or wet climate, it's likely she could benefit from a coat.
From the December Newsletter of:
YourActivePet.com, Inc.
Note: YourActivePet.com offers a fleece-lined, water resistant, reflective coats
for dogs. See it here: Dog Coats
