Winter dog coats that actually keep the cold out
A winter coat is about holding warmth in, and the dogs that need one have little of their own: lean sighthounds, tiny breeds, short single coats, elderly and arthritic dogs, and anything freshly clipped. Below are padded and quilted coats, fleece-lined coats, snowsuits and gilets, and how much insulation a dog needs for the walks you actually do.
Which dogs feel the cold
Body fat and coat keep a dog warm, and some dogs are short of both. Whippets, greyhounds, lurchers and Italian greyhounds have thin skin, little fat and a single fine coat, and shiver at temperatures a labrador would not notice. Chihuahuas and other tiny breeds lose heat fast because they are small. Staffies, boxers and vizslas have short coats with no undercoat.
Age and health matter as much as breed. An elderly dog moves slowly and makes less heat, and arthritic joints stiffen in the cold, so a warm coat over the hips and back often means an easier walk. A freshly clipped dog has had its insulation removed, and a puppy has not grown a proper coat yet. Blue Cross has clear cold-weather guidance if you are unsure.
How to tell your dog is cold
Shivering is the obvious sign, but before that you will see a tucked tail, a hunched back, slowed walking, and a dog lifting paws off the ground. A dog that stops and turns for home has had enough, and ears and paws feel cold well before the body does.
The right response is to shorten the walk and get them warm, not push on. Cold dogs tire fast and can become unsteady. Once home, dry them and offer a bed away from draughts, and next time put the coat on before you leave rather than after the shivering starts.
How much insulation: walking dog or standing dog
A dog that trots and runs makes its own heat, and a heavy coat on a running dog means panting and overheating even in January. For that dog a lighter layer does the job: the Polar Fleece Dog Coat or the Windproof Fleece-Lined Dog Coat takes the bite out of the wind without cooking them, and the Padded Winter Dog Gilet warms the core while leaving the shoulders free.
A dog that potters, stands about, or is old and slow needs more. The Outdoor Warm Winter Dog Coat and the Padded Winter Dog Coat with Fur Collar hold heat in properly and suit a slow lap of the park or a wait at the school gates. Watch the dog rather than the thermometer: panting on a cold day means too much coat for that walk, shivering means not enough.
Padded, fleece, snowsuit and the harness question
Padded and quilted coats such as the Quilted Dog Winter Coat with Built-In Harness and the Reflective Quilted Dog Winter Coat are the pick for most cold-feeling dogs on most walks. Fleece-lined coats like the Fleece-Lined Denim Dog Coat are lighter and the easiest to wash. A snowsuit with legs, the Padded Hooded Dog Snowsuit or the Padded Four-Leg Winter Dog Suit, is for deep snow and low-slung dogs whose bellies get soaked; introduce sleeves indoors first.
The lead has to go somewhere. A D-ring on the back, as on the Padded Winter Dog Coat With D-Rings, suits a dog that walks nicely, because the coat takes the strain. A built-in harness, as on the Padded Winter Dog Coat with Built-In Harness, has straps under the coat that take a proper pull. Or choose a coat with a slot for your own harness, and check it lines up with the harness ring.
Sizing, washing and who does not need one
Measure back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail with the dog standing, and chest girth round the widest part behind the front legs. Padded coats need a little more room at the chest than a raincoat, so if your dog sits between sizes on chest, go up. Too tight under the arms rubs; too long gets wet and trips the dog on stairs.
Most padded coats wash cool on a gentle cycle with the velcro closed; do not tumble dry them, because the filling clumps. Fleece dries fast and takes a warm tumble. A last honest note: a husky, collie or golden retriever with a full double coat does not need one and is usually happier without.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Hooded Fleece Bear Cloak for Dogs
A hooded fleece bear cloak that wraps your dog in soft warmth, with sweet little ears on top.
From£16.99
Hooded Fleece Winter Pet Coat
A soft hooded fleece coat with contrast trim and drawstring hood, made to keep cats and small dogs warm indoors and out. The lightweight wrap design slips on easily and traps body heat on cold days.
From£14.99
Bear-Print Quilted Dog Jacket With Hood
A padded quilted dog jacket in a beige check with a teddy-bear print and a detachable hood.
From£10.99
Outdoor Warm Winter Dog Coat
A snug winter dog coat with a high contrast collar and all-over print to keep dogs warm and dry.
From£24.99
Tie-Dye Fleece Dog Hoodie
A bright pink-and-blue tie-dye fleece hoodie that keeps medium and bigger dogs warm and cheerful.
From£10.99
Padded Winter Dog Coat With D-Rings
A padded winter coat with a full zip, reflective trim and twin D-rings for the lead.
From£16.99
Padded Dog Coat with Built-In Harness
A warm padded dog coat with a fleece-lined collar, integrated harness with D-ring and reflective strips for safe night-time walks. The adjustable buckles give a secure fit so you can clip a lead straight on.
From£15.99
Padded Four-Leg Winter Dog Suit
A padded four-leg winter suit that keeps small dogs snug from chest to paws in the cold.
£18.99
Padded Pet Coat with Matching Hat
A cotton-padded coat with a matching hat to keep dogs and cats wrapped up warm on the coldest days.
From£11.99
Reflective Quilted Dog Winter Coat
A warm, quilted winter coat with a high collar and reflective strip for safe night-time walks. Lightweight padding keeps your dog cosy and visible in cold, dark conditions.
From£9.99
Padded Zip-Up Dog Coat with Reflective Trim
A warm padded dog coat with a full-length zip and reflective stripes for safe, cosy walks after dark. The geometric print, snug collar and leg openings give good coverage in cold weather.
From£12.99
Padded Winter Dog Coat with Built-In Harness
A padded zip-up winter coat with a built-in harness ring, so your dog stays warm and ready to clip on.
From£8.99
Common questions
- What temperature does a dog need a coat?
- It depends on the dog more than the thermometer. Small, thin-coated, elderly and clipped dogs often want one below about ten degrees, and sooner if it is wet or windy. Watch for shivering and lifted paws rather than a number.
- Can a dog overheat in a winter coat?
- Yes. A running dog makes a lot of heat and a heavily padded coat stops it escaping. Look for heavy panting and slowing down. For an active dog choose a lighter fleece or gilet, and take the coat off indoors.
- Do huskies and collies need winter coats?
- Almost never. Double-coated breeds have a dense undercoat that traps warm air and a top coat that sheds wet, which is better insulation than any coat. The exceptions are elderly, ill or clipped dogs, where a light layer can help.
- How should a winter dog coat fit?
- Snug at the chest without pinching under the front legs, finishing at the base of the tail, and high enough at the neck to cover the shoulders. The dog should be able to sit, lie down and squat to toilet without it riding up.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.