Just like us, dogs feel the cold and get frostbite during winter the same way they overheat and get sunburn in the hot months of summer. The effect of the sun's UV rays on human skin can be equally damaging to a dog’s skin. If you have a dog that suffers from sunburn easily, consider dressing him in dog hoodies to protect him from extreme weather.
Choosing the right hoodie can be challenging; what works in summer won't work in winter. In the same way, the hoodie that fits a Yorkshire Terrier won't fit a Newfoundland. The following guide explores why your dog needs a hoodie, the best dog hoodies for every season, and tips for choosing what fits your needs.
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Hoodies for Every Season
| Hoodie | Materials | Key Features | Best For | Weather Conditions | Care Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jecikelon Winter Dog Hoodie | Wool | Temperature regulation, moisture trapping, air insulation | Cold winter months, thick-coated dogs | Very cold, snowy, icy | Machine washable |
| Cool Factor Hoodie | Teddy bear fleece | Moisture-wicking, quick drying, moderate insulation | Spring weather, unpredictable conditions | Mild, unpredictable | Machine washable |
| Yustery Dog Sun Protection Hoodie | Polyester | Sun protection, moisture-wicking, limited breathability | Hot summer days, UV protection | Hot, sunny | Hand wash recommended |
| Chewnel Cotton CC Hoodie | Cotton | Breathable, versatile, sweat prevention | Fall weather, light insulation | Cool, breezy | Machine washable |
According to the Canada West Veterinary Specialists, dogs are prone to the effects of cold temperatures just like humans, even if they have fur. The biggest risks mentioned by the veterinarians were hypothermia and frostbite. The normal dog's body temperature is 38.1 to 39.2 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures lower than this cause hypothermia, with some common signs including shivering, confusion and sluggishness. That means you need to protect your dog from cold temperatures during winter and spring, as well as UV rays during summer and fall.
The best way to do this is to dress your dog with a hoodie designed for that season. Here is a breakdown of the benefits of dog hoodies, the best dog hoodie styles for various seasons and how to pick the right one for your breed.
Skin Protection
Some dogs have sensitive skin, and things like pollen, grass, and sunburn can cause allergies. Of course, these are the things your furry friend will interact with when playing in the yard, in dog parks and when going for hikes. A good sign that your dog suffers from allergies is red skin, excess scratching and licking.
The best solution is to dress your pup with a hoodie. The good thing about hoodies is that they don't work like the medications prescribed by the vet, which can have side effects. Hoodies are physical barriers that shield the dog's skin from allergy-causing things.
Another benefit of physical protection is that it protects the skin from physical bruises. For instance, breeds like Terriers and Hounds will probably chase squirrels through bushes during hikes and come back with several skin bruises. The hoodie is a physical shield that protects the skin from these scratches.
Temperature Control
The main reason humans wear hoodies is to control their temperature. The same applies to dogs. The hoodie acts as an AC and heater that controls the dog's temperature. The fabric of the hoodie creates air pockets that insulate the body.
When it's cold, the body heat is unable to escape to the cold surroundings. When it's hot, the fabric blocks the hot wind from reaching the dog's skin. The hoodie acts as reinforcement to the dog's fur. That's why it's strongly advisable to buy hoodies for breeds with thin fur, like the Whippet and the Chinese Crested.
Dress the dog with a hoodie when you yourself feel the need to wear one. That way, you'll be dressing it in the right weather conditions. Another thing: consider the dog's coat. If the dog has a thick coat like the Chow Chows and Huskies, only dress it with the hoodie when it's exceptionally cold. Otherwise, the dog will overheat.
Visibility and Safety
Most dogs need daily exercises to relieve the excess energy and prevent destructive behaviors. But most of the dog owners are in 8-5 jobs, and they don't have enough daytime to exercise their dogs. So, most people take their dogs for exercises in the early morning hours or late evenings.
Remember, this is the rush hour. According to the Gold Law Personal Injury Lawyers, 25% of traffic deaths in the United States happen during this time. Statistics show that the evenings are twice as deadly. The dog's fur is made of keratin protein strands, which don't have reflective properties.
That means motorists in the early morning and late evening busy streets won't easily see your dog. Have you ever thought about your dog's safety when exercising it during this time? That's why your dog needs a hoodie with reflective strips or bright colours to improve visibility.
The hoodie reflects light from the headlights, and drivers easily spot your pup. Even if the dog wanders away, you can easily spot it with a flashlight. The same applies to foggy mornings.
Aesthetics and Personality
People love their dogs and want to be identified with them. The way your dog dresses reflects your personality and how much you love your dog. For example, when you see couples wearing matching clothes, it shows they are simpatico.
The same happens when you wear a hoodie and dress your furry friend with a matching one. It shows how strong the bond is between you and your companion. It's also a way to make your dog stand out from the rest.
Dog Hoodie Styles for Various Seasons
Dog hoodies come in all sorts of styles, designs and materials. Some are warmer than others. The hoodie that works best during summer won't work during winter. Here are the different hoodie styles for various seasons.
Winter
In Canada, winter lasts from November to March. That is around 5 months of messy precipitations, ice and snow. Temperatures go as low as -15 degrees celsius during the day, and dip as low as -35 degrees celsius during the night. January is the worst month, with temperatures dropping as low as -58 degrees celsius, combined with severe winds.
Just like humans, dogs get frostbites during this season. Even dogs with thick double coats such as the Newfoundlands, Samoyeds and Saint Bernards feel cold during winter. So, dress your dog with a thick wool hoodie such as the Jecikelon Winter Dog Hoodie.
The wool in this hoodie acts as a temperature regulator. During winter precipitation, the microscopic coils trap moisture. The water hydrogen bonds break and bind with the chemical structure of the wool fibres, releasing some heat, and making the hoodie extra warm.
Also, the tiny pockets of air between the wool fibres trap air, which insulates heat from the dog's body. Another great feature is that this woollen hoodie can trap up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet. That means the dog can only get wet after heavy rains. This hoodie is comfortable, and the dog feels like it has an extra layer of its fur.
Spring
The temperatures start to get warmer. The snow melts, animals come out of hibernation and flora blooms. Most people consider spring to be the happy season, and you'll probably take your pup for lots of walks. But things are just transitioning from winter to summer. So, the weather is unpredictable.
Sometimes, you're enjoying a great sun shower when, unexpectedly, the weather turns gloomy and cool. That means you need a versatile hoodie that strikes a balance between protection against wind and rain and staying cool in warm weather.
A good option is the Cool Factor Hoodie. This hoodie is made of teddy bear fleece. As a result, the hoodie doesn't insulate the body as much as the wool winter hoodies, but enough to keep your pup warm in spring. The good thing is that fleece is moisture-wicking and dries quickly. So, the hoodie dries quickly after the dog gets rained on.
Summer
Summer is the hot season, and daytime temperatures increase to around 20-30 degrees Celsius. It's common for temperatures to go up to 40 degrees Celsius in some interior locations in July. During this season, you'll probably spend most of the time outdoors.
It's the right time to play fetch games, walk to the dog parks and enjoy sunsets at the beach. The sun is usually high in the sky, and UV radiation is at its maximum. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, UV rays cause skin problems such as red and peeling inflammation in dogs.
The effect is worse in dogs with white patches, such as Bull Terriers and Dalmatians. Excessive sunburns and exposure to UV rays can result in skin cancer, which is the last thing you want. So, go for a hoodie that offers sun protection, such as the Yustery Dog Sun Protection Hoodie.
This hoodie is made of polyester. Although this synthetic fabric has limited breathability, it wicks moisture from the dog's skin to the outside of the fabric for evaporation. This results in the same cooling effect as wearing a thin, breathable fabric like cotton. But more importantly, this hoodie is designed to protect your dog from the scorching summer sun.
Fall
During fall, you're transitioning from summer to winter. The weather conditions are not much different from spring. The only difference is that summer bleeds into fall, the same way winter bleeds into spring due to the ocean's thermal lag.
That means spring hoodies can work in fall, but they need to be a little lighter. For instance, instead of going for fleece hoodies, go for cotton ones. The best option is the Chewnel Cotton CC Hoodie.
As the name suggests, this hoodie is made of cotton, which works great in almost all seasons and weather conditions. It is also breathable, so when you're hiking, the day is warm, and the dog is sweating, the hoodie allows air to circulate, creating a cooling effect.
Also, without sweat retention, the bacteria won't grow, and your pup won't produce those unpleasant odours even after long hikes.
How to Choose the Best Hoodie for Your Dog
Even after knowing the best hoodie material and style for various seasons, it's still challenging to pick the right one from the many options in the market. Here are tips to help you identify the right hoodie for your dog breed requirements.
Size
The hoodie shouldn't be too tight or too loose. An overly tight hoodie restricts the dog's movement. If the hoodie is restrictive at the neck area, it poses a choking hazard. On the other hand, an oversized hoodie can accidentally come off.
Take measurements of your dog's length, chest and neck, and then go for a fitting hoodie. If the measurements fall between two sizes, it's advisable to go for the large size. That way, there's room in case the dog loses or gains weight.
Ease of Care
One sure thing is that the hoodie will get dirty, and needs washing. For instance, dogs like the Newfoundlands are water magnets, and you'll find them playing in mud puddles. The result is bacterial growth and bad odors. So, go for machine washable hoodies that you can just toss into the washing machine.
Adjustability
Dogs come in different sizes and shapes. For example, Pitbulls have large, square heads, deep chests and muscular builds, while the Greyhounds have narrow heads, muscular hindquarters and straight forelegs.
When choosing the hoodie, make sure its design and adjustability fit your dog's shape. Consider elastic bands, drawstrings, and hook-and-loop fasteners. These are the things you'll need to make the hoodie fit snuggly.
Tips to Introduce Your Dog to Hoodies
Clothes are for humans, and dogs have fur coats. Wearing clothes is not in the dog's instincts. It's not uncommon for dogs to refuse to wear hoodies. Use the following tips to introduce your dog to hoodies.
- Introduce slowly: Don't dress the dog with the hoodie immediately after buying it. Just put the hoodie near the dog so it can sniff, investigate and get familiar with it.
- Use positive reinforcement: Give the dog treats and verbal praise when dressing it with the hoodie. This way, the dog associates the hoodie with good things.
- Dress the dog gently: It's advisable to start with lightweight hoodies so that the dog won't notice much of a difference when wearing them.
- Maximize comfort: Dogs are intelligent and know how to avoid uncomfortable things. So, make sure the hoodie fits and is comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Dog hoodies come in various styles and materials for varying seasons. Go for wool hoodies during winter, fleece hoodies during spring, polyester or lightweight cotton hoodies during summer and cotton hoodies during fall. Make sure the hoodies are fitting and comfortable.