Have you ever seen someone walking their little dog with a fur coat and booties on? Did you think to yourself that person is crazy to put clothes on their dogs or they have way too much money to spend? Fact is, some dogs should have clothing on to protect them from the cold elements.
Some dogs are born with the protection they need for cold weather, but some are not. Dogs like huskies, rough coated collies, and German shepherds have what is known as a double coat. They have a soft, fluffy undercoat which keeps them warm in the winter and a coarse, longer coat on the outside which serves as a type of water repellant.
These types of dogs shed their coats typically twice a year depending on the season. Those of you who have double coated dogs know exactly what I am talking about and are smiling right now. Around spring time, you start to see tumbleweeds of soft, furry hair that never seems to end.
There are dogs that may need some help keeping warm. Small, short-haired, inactive dogs without a thick fur undercoat, sick or old dogs are all more vulnerable to cold weather.
“There’s no question in winter with rain, snow, and ice that these dogs are more at risk because of their size and inability to keep body heat,” Rene Carlson, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said.
Dogs can get frostbite. They are most likely to get frostbite on the tips of their ears, nose, and tail. Frost-bitten skin appears red, gray, or whitish and may peel off. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place and thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels. Change them frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Contact a veterinarian for further care.
Just use commonsense when taking your dog outside in the winter. If you are getting cold, a one-coated, older, sick, or small dog might be as well. And remember, the next time you see someone walking a dog that is all decked out in a coat and booties, you may want to reconsider if they are crazy or just a loving, concerned dog parent.
