Does a dog/pup really need a jacket?

BigMummaF

I was probably asking the wrong person---a lady who sells them & does made to measure-:o -but her theory was a probable one.....
Because we now live in draught-free heated homes, the animals no longer need to grow in a winter coat.:rolleyes: Is this fact or am I being gullable as usual?
Also 6mt old pup doesn't like going out in the rain...luckily we have some bushes in the garden he can use for shelter when he needs to 'go':rotfl: He looks real cute with just his nose peeking through the greenery!

We don't want to go all Paris Hilton & dress him up for the sake of fashion, but are there precautions we should be taking to help pup through his first winter? I think it's less bathing, but should we be watching his feet for signs of chillblains or something? I've seen some stuff to put on their paws..looks a bit like surfer's wax....or does petroleum jelly or baby oil do the job....I don't want to give him a gipp tum!

Hope you can help us help our pooch & many thanks on his behalf.

Sagaris

Judging by the amount of dog hair we get deposited on our carpets at certain times of the year, I think her theory is wrong!
Perhaps tiny breeds that have short hair might benefit (chihuahuas perhaps?) but for most dogs, I don't think I'd bother!

RooBee

Depends on the breed whether he will benefit from wearing a coat. Single coated shorthaired breeds will feel the cold a lot more than double coated breeds. Greyhounds, whippets & lurchers especially as they have little body fat in addition to thin coats. Also some of the very small breeds like yorkies, chihuahuas etc that could succumb to cold quite quickly.

pboae

I've never put a coat on a dog, but I am thinking about getting one for my St. Bernard this year. He wants to go out whatever the weather, and if we go out in the rain he gets soaked through. Once his undercoat is wet it takes hours for him to dry, sometimes he's still damp the next day. He has bad joints and I don't think it's good for him to be left wet like that.

I also agree with the others that some of the really skinny or tiny breeds probably do feel the cold more, and may well need something to keep the chill off.

I don't believe the coat maker's theory though. My dog definitely grows a winter and summer coat, but he still moults year round. :rolleyes:

I use Shaw's paw wax as well, it does protect them, especially if you walk in snow or ice. I wouldn't use baby oil though. The wax is meant to protect the pads, not make them greasy! I have visions of your pup sliding all over the place.

Again I don't think most dogs need it. Because my dog is so big his paws really spread when he walks, and he is unsteady on his feet so the extra grip helps too. If I had a more agile dog that liked to clamber around on rocks or something like that, I would use it then too. Or for any dog that was going walking on ice (ice splinters can easily cut pads). But not just for normal day to day to walks.

Kimberley

I also think it's down to the dog and your personal taste. I would coat a Jack russel or Chihuahua, but not a German Shepherd or other long haired breed of dogs. A Greyhound definately needs a coat in winter time. I have a hoodie jumper for when I get my next foster dog today which is a Jack russel, but I won't put it on her unless it's cold.

Some short haired dogs you can see shivering whilst out, but that can also be down to nerves so it's not possible to know.

dubgirl

Hi, we have a greyhound who wears a coat not only when its cold, but also when it is raining (heavy) as she does not like going out in the rain. Its waterproofed on the outside, fleece inside and keeps her toasty and comes right round under her tummy. Not sure about the wax on the pads I've never known a dog to have real problems slipping over in the snow and rain.

Penny_Watcher

Fat Bob the Ginger Pup has her own blubber to keep her warm outside in winter. She has Labrador style hair/fur. She doesn't like rain either, but then again she doesn't like the dark or loud noises.

The other two (one rough coated Dobie/Collie cross - one Black Lab/Giraffe/Idiot cross) run around enough to keep them warm on walks. When they get older the Black Lab will need a coat I imagine as he's quite slim and leggy, but until then I'm afraid the dogs will go naked. :rolleyes:

My friends with rescue greyhounds alway coat their dogs unless it's good weather, but they are quite old with no body fat.

BigMummaF

Thanks for your replies....I guess I began wondering about his body heat when I realised his ears were cold the other morning!:eek:
Perhaps we shall see how the weather pans out before going one way or the other, & give him a chance to grow a bit too.
Wasn't sure what the wax was for , but as we often visit the beach I thought perhaps the wax would prevent sand getting between his toes or something..how ignoramus am I ?

Smiley_Mum

There is this little dog coat from Lands End. If it is not suitable they will refund no problem. 100% lifetime guarantee on all their products, no matter what.

http://www.landsend.co.uk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=2404731&prmenbr=361&prnbr=096488&cgrfnbr=&fromsearch=yes&cat_parent=&mdiv=OSwl

If it is suitable, you could put a fleece underneath it to keep it warm when out in the Winter.

Kimberley

Thanks smiley, they are reasonable priced too.

Aww my foster dog arrived today, she is in a bad state, she came from a puppy farm used for breeding then dumped when no use. She has lived in a shed for most of her life poor thing. Hopefully she will perk up once she has plenty of TLC

Smiley_Mum

It's so sad to see some of the cruelty animals go through. Especially, when it comes to Christmas time etc when people get bored of their "pets".

I would love to have a little pet for the kids but as I mentioned in another thread, allergies are a problem so I can't.

These maine coon cats are lovely.



or a Ragdoll