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A waterproof coat to protect against a downpour, a fleece jacket to warm against the cold, a dressing gown for comfort after being out in the elements: we are not talking about what people are wearing, but what some people are putting on their pet dogs.
But is all this really necessary?
“As a rule, it is not,” says Thomas Steidl, a veterinarian specialising in small animals and domestic pets.
A dog has a similar sensitivity to the cold as humans do – but it also has fur. This protects it not only against warmth in the summer, but also against the wet and cold in the winter.

Nordic dog breeds such as the husky and the Alaskan malamute, as well as the Border collie, the German shepherd and the Labrador retriever, have a woolly undercoat that thickens in the autumn months and provides them with additional protection.
But it is a bit different for a number of other canine breeds that originally came from warmer climes, such as the greyhound or the Rhodesian ridgeback. A coat can make sense for such dogs with their short fur, animal welfare experts say.
Dogs that are older or sick can also benefit from additional protection, just as would any with little or only light fur.
“Dogs without fur start to freeze extremely quickly,” says Nadia Wattad of the German Animal Welfare Association.
Miniature-breed dogs also get cold quickly – and often shiver. This can even quickly lead to dangerous hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar levels. They are also susceptible to hypothermia, which can also be life-threatening. So a coat can help them against the cold.

Old dogs generally start to shiver more quickly than younger ones, and smaller dogs get cold more quickly than larger animals. The smaller the animal is, the more warmth it gives off.
In addition, smaller dog breeds lose warmth more quickly simply because they are built closer to the ground.
“However, small dog breeds per se do not necessarily need a coat if they have appropriate fur,” Wattad says.
For the dog to keep warm, it should be able to keep moving while outdoors. Longer spells just standing around should, for the animal’s sake, be avoided in the winter. This is especially so after a dog has been in water.
Genuine water hounds like Labradors hop around in water in any temperature. Steidl says that as a rule this is no problem.
“What is important is that they must keep moving so that they don’t cool off,” he says. “The owners should therefore continue walking on with them immediately after being in the water.”

Dogs with thin fur are better off not going into the water, Wattad says. Cold water quickly withdraws the body heat, which can lead to hypothermia.
Generally speaking, care should be taken with female dogs as they are more susceptible to urinary tract infections.
It is obvious when a dog is freezing cold. It shivers, pulls its tail in and in some cases will snuggle up to the legs of its humans to seek body warmth.
If a dog does not feel good being out in the cold, it might also show it by quickly being done with its business and immediately wanting to head back home. Wattad recommends shorter but more frequent walks or a warm dog coat for such dogs.
Many vets tend to advise against dog shoes. Often, they do not fit well and so can pinch the paws and make walking painful. Also, many dogs do not like shoes because they are generally annoying.
On the other hand, it makes sense to lubricate the paws with a special paw balm before going out. Deer tallow is also suitable, Steidl says.

After the walk, the paws should be rinsed with water and rubbed again with balm. Simply cleaning with a towel is not enough and can even be counterproductive if tiny stones are rubbed into the skin.
Winter has no effect on the recommended daily nutritional needs of dogs. Their energy requirements will rise only if they spend many hours outdoors in the cold. But for a normal walk, a dog does not need extra food.
With those animals that tend to be more cosy in winter and move around moderately, it may even make sense to feed them less.


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For canine breeds that originally came from warmer climes, such as the Rhodesian ridgeback with its short hair, a coat can make sense when the winter cold sets in, animal welfare experts say. Photo: Shutterstock

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Dogs like Border collies and Labradors have woolly undercoats but short-haired pets originally from warmer climes may need extra warmth


Dogs like Border collies and Labradors have woolly undercoats but short-haired pets originally from warmer climes may need extra warmth.


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Animals