Playing with your furry friend in the cool air and in the snow during winter is healthy and fun. However, exposing the dog to cold temperatures for prolonged periods can result in hypothermia. The breathing and heart rate slow down, and the condition can be fatal. That's why you need to dress your pup in pajamas to keep it warm during cold nights.
However, like any other dog apparel, there are many pajama options in the market, and choosing the right one is challenging. This guide walks through the benefits of pajamas, the best dog pajamas of 2024, and which style suits which breed and weather conditions.
Snuggle Up: The Best Dog Pajamas of 2024
| Pajamas | Dog Size | Materials | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YKLL Dog Pajamas | All sizes | Waterproof polyester, four-way stretch | Weatherproof, stretchy, free movement, protection from elements | Active dogs, outdoor protection |
| Frosty Fleece Sweatsuit | All sizes | Fleece, loose cotton threads | Insulating, soft and fluffy, distributes weight evenly | Dogs that sleep on hard floors, cold weather |
| Lianzimau Dog Recovery Suit | All sizes | 95% cotton, 5% spandex | Stretchable, elastic bands around legs and neck, gentle pressure | Dogs recovering from surgery or injuries |
According to the National Library of Medicine, 40% of people fail to sleep well when it's too cold or warm. Humans wear pajamas to maintain their body temperature when sleeping. The same applies to dogs. They feel cold and warm, just like humans, and you need to help maintain the right temperatures.
There are many apparel that can keep the dog warm, such as dog coats and jackets, but most just keep the dog warm, not regulating temperature. For instance, when you sleep with a leather jacket, the heat might accumulate, resulting in an unrestful sleep of tossing and turning.
The dog feels the same way when wearing coats instead of pajamas. Pajamas are great for dogs because the fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable. The dog remains dry and cool during warmer nights, and the fabric insulates the body and keeps the dog warm on cold nights. Here are some of the benefits of getting pajamas for your dog.
Protection From Elements
Many dogs developed for hunting, herding, and military use, such as the German Shepherds, Bullmastiffs, Rottweilers, and Giant Schnauzers, have strong protective instincts. By default, these dogs stay alert at night when their owners are sleeping.
It's common to find people keeping these dogs solely as protection dogs that stay outdoors at night and other smaller dog breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles as lap dogs that stay indoors at night. That means these dogs are exposed to outside weather elements such as snow and rain.
That's where pajamas come in. Get your dog weatherproof pajamas like the YKLL Dog Pajamas. These pajamas are made of waterproof polyester; you don't have to worry if it rains at night. Of course, that doesn't mean you don't build a shelter for your furry friend. But as a protection dog, it'll leave the shelter to go and check around in case of noise or signs of an intruder.
The material of this pajama offers a four-way stretch. That means it can stretch lengthwise and widthwise simultaneously, offering the same level of elasticity as athletic wear. Your dog will be free to move around and sprint without any restrictions.
Improve the Dog's Comfort
Dogs are descended from wolves, and their instinct is to sleep on floors. Although nowadays dogs have beds, and their sleeping is much more comfortable, some dogs still prefer their natural way of sleeping. It's not amazing to get your dog to its bed during bedtime, only to wake up and find it sleeping stretched on the hard floor.
This behavior is more common with protective dog breeds that see sleeping on elevated places as a hindrance from feeling the ground, which is their source of information. So, the problem is not the bed but the dog's preferences.
The best thing you can do is to dress the dog in pajamas to keep it warm even when it shifts to the hard floor. Another good thing about pajamas is that they sit between the dog's coat and the floor, cushioning the dog. Consider going for fleece pajamas such as the Frosty Fleece Sweatsuit.
The loose cotton threads trap air, which prevents heat transfer between the dog's body and the surrounding cold air and floor. Fleece is also soft and fluffy, which allows the pajama to distribute the dog's weight evenly. This reduces the pressure points on the dog's body when sleeping on a hard floor.
Prevent Hypothermia
Winters in Canada get really cold, and temperatures drop to around -15 degrees celsius during the day, and up to -50 degrees celsius during the night. You can also expect severe winds during this time. Humans take advantage of the home heating systems to avoid hypothermia.
But sometimes, the dogs are outside guarding the home. The body temperature of a healthy dog ranges from 37.8 degrees Celsius to around 39.2 degrees Celsius, far below the normal winter conditions. The dog gets hypothermia when the body temperature falls below 37 degrees Celsius.
The condition is mild when the temperature ranges between 32 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, moderate when the temperature ranges between 28 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, and severe when the temperature falls below 28 degrees Celsius. The common symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Shallow breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle stiffness
- Bitterness of the skin
- Shivering
- Excessive tiredness
As you can tell, this condition is life-threatening. It is even worse for short haired dog breeds such as German Shorthaired Pointers, Bull Terriers, and Boxers.
But the good news is that you can prevent hypothermia by getting your dog a fleece pajama such as the YKLL Dog Pajamas. The air pockets in the pajama insulate the body heat from the outside cold temperatures.
Recovery
Accidents happen, and the dog gets wounds like bites, burns, and cuts. For instance, the dog is running, and a fence or a branch catches the dog's skin and cuts it, or the dog picks up fights with other dogs and gets bitten. Sometimes, it's surgical operations like neutering and bowel obstruction treatment.
Regardless, open wounds are painful and itchy, and the dog keeps on licking, trying to soothe. However, licking makes things worse by irritating the injury, introducing bacteria, and providing warm moisture for bacteria growth.
The best thing for your wounded dog is to dress it with pajamas specifically designed for surgical recovery such as the Lianzimau Dog Recovery Suit. This pajama is made of 5% spandex. It gives the pajamas the same stretchability as those super comfy yoga pants that move with you like a second skin.
The dog can eat and play without limitations. The elastic bands around the legs and neck mean the jammies won't bunch up while your pup heals. The soft design and gentle pressure from the elastic spandex act like a massage to healing wounds.
Tips for Selecting the Right Dog Pajamas
The best pajamas vary from dog to dog. Some pups are shorthaired, and shivers during cold nights. These need a snuggly fleece sleeper. Other pups have fluffy double coats and just want a comfy tee to keep fur from flying off on the couch. So, here are tips that can help you pick the right pajama for your dog breed.
Size
Different dog breeds have different sizes and shapes. For instance, the American Bulldog looks like a weightlifter with a wide chest and short, stocky legs, while the Great Danes have long legs with a sleek, toned body. In the same way, the pajama size that fits a Tibetan Mastiff can't fit a Boston Terrier. So, before buying the pajamas, first, take the following measurements to know the right fit
- Take a measuring tape and wrap it around the neck of your pup, where the collar sits. Usually, this is the ridge between the top of the dog's chest and the shoulder blades. Use the two-finger rule to ensure the tape fits without being overly tight.
- With the dog standing, take the chest girth measurements, which is the widest part of the pup's rib cage. Again, use the two-finger rule.
- With the dog still standing, take measurements of the spine length, starting from the edge of the neck to the base of the tail.
- Take the leg measurements, starting from the paw to the armpit area.
- Use the manufacturers' sizing chart to find pajamas with matching measurements.
Ease of Cleaning
Dogs are walking dirt magnets. Even a quick potty break can turn into mud wrestling, especially for dogs that love water, like the Portuguese Water Dog and the Newfoundlands.
It's not even uncommon to find dogs rolling on the floor. Remember, dogs aren't like humans and don't care how dirty the pajamas get. So, go for machine-washable pajamas.
Ease of Wearability
Most dogs don't love clothes. Fiddling with tiny buttons and tricky zippers only makes the dog hate pajamas even more. Also, bathroom accidents happen. You don't want to be untangling a onesie situation in the middle of the night.
Go for pajamas that are easy to wear and take off, with closures such as snaps and large buttons. The design of the pajama should also allow the dog to go for bathroom breaks without dirtying the pajama.
Final Thoughts
Hypothermia can be fatal, and the easiest way to prevent it is to dress your dog in pajamas during cold nights. Pajamas come in different styles, materials, sizes and closure types. The best pajamas depend on your specific dog size and shape, the weather conditions and whether your dog is recovering from surgery or not.