Find the best dog sweater for your furry friend.
Dogs are the only creatures closest to humans. They help us cope with depression, protect us, love us, and never miss a chance to show how special we are to them.
And as the saying goes, our best friends become like us or we become like them with time, dogs also have become like us with the passage of time, just like we feel cold in winters they feel cold too. So for their love and loyalty, I think the least we can do is to ensure they don’t feel cold by buying them a sweater.
But the biggest problem is. Which one? Cause we want our best friend to wear the best sweater for winter. Which will keep them warm and won’t cause discomfort to them while doing their daily routine? So, let’s dig into the world of sweaters and find the ideal sweater for your dog.
Do Dogs Even Need A Sweater For Winters?
Not all dog species would need a sweater, like Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds who have evolved from wolves already have a thick coat and a large body to keep them extra warm than dogs of other species.
Whereas short- hair species or small dogs like Chihuahuas or Dachshunds can’t produce heat through their body to keep them warm and can’t stand cold. These dogs can use blankets and sweaters to keep them warm throughout winter.
There are chances of overheating in any dog, regardless of their species. So, it requires a close check on them while making them a sweater or a blanket.
And it shouldn’t be so tight that they find it hard to even walk without discomfort. So it is important to check its size, too. Cause too big sweaters can have sagging cloth beneath the dog while wearing, which may result in spoiling the sweater while they pee.
Best Dog Sweaters
- Gooby Dog Fleece Vest
- Chilly Dog Boyfriend Sweater
- Blueberry Pet Classic Cable Knit Dog Sweater
- Gooby Cold Weather Dog Pullover
- Scheppend Warm Dog Sweater
- Zack & Zoey Nor’easter
- Fitwarm Knitted Sweater
- PAWZ Road Large Sweater
- PETCEE Waterproof Dog Jacket
- Mihachi Dog Sweater
1) Gooby Dog Fleece Vest
If you are looking for a comfortable, affordable, easy to wear, and cute-looking dog sweater, then Gooby Dog Fleece Vest is the product for you! This is the ideal sweater that your small dogs need to keep them warm all winter. They come in 5 different sizes from X-Small Chest to X-Large Chest and in 25 various colors. It’s made with 100% polyester, which keeps moisture out and warm air in.
Easy to put on and put off your dog, which means your dog could run all day while wearing it with no problem. It’s very easy to clean and can be washed in the machine.
Pros
1. 5 sizes
2. 17 various colors
3. 100% Polyester
4. Machine- Washable
5. Cheap
Cons
1. No Velcro or Zipper
2. Not Water Proof
2) Chilly Dog Boyfriend Sweater
It doesn’t matter how rough and tough your big dog looks, it also needs a sweater in order to feel warm during the winter season. And, why buy your dog a regular sweater when you can buy him a classy one in a V-Neck Style.
Have a smaller or medium-sized dog? Don’t worry! this sweater comes in 8 different sizes (XX-Small, X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X- Large, XX-Large, and XXX-Large).
Although the Chilly Dog Boyfriend Sweater is a little expensive and isn’t water-resistant, it is made up of 100% wool which would make your dog warm all winter. The only downside is you will have to take extra care while washing it.
Pros
1. 8 sizes
2. V-Neck Style
3. 100% Wool
Cons
1. Expensive
2. Extra Care While Washing
3) Blueberry Pet Classic Cable Knit Dog Sweater
The Blueberry Pet Classic Cable Knit Dog Sweater is cozy and stylish, perfect for a jittery winter night.
This sweater more or less is made to replicate a human turtle neck sweater, and wait does this job amazingly. The material issoft
They represent their sizes in 7 back lengths in inches than the usual sizes from Small to XL sizes and have 20 colors to choose from. It is made up of Acrylic, it is for ease care and durability, and also it is machine washable.
The neck style is Turtle Neck and has a hole in the back of the sweater for a leash to go through. But it does not have straps for the back legs.
Pros
1. Back Length sizes
2. 20 various colors
3. Cheap
4. Turtle Neck
5. Lash Hole
6. They are made up of Acrylic
Cons
1. Do not have straps for back legs
4) Gooby Cold Weather Dog Pullover
The Gooby Cold Weather Dog Pullover is specially built to ease your dog’s moments so that your dog does not feel uncomfortable while wearing the sweater. They are even stretchable for your dog’s comfortable fit and easy to wear and take off. It varies over 10 sizes, from X-Small Length (6”) to 6X- Large Length (27”), and is made up of Polyester.
It can be machine-washed. But it’s not waterproof and has no hole in the back for the leash to be attached.
Pros
1. Stretchable
2. Easy to wear and take off
3. Varies over 10 sizes
4. Made up of Polyester
4. Can be Machine- washed
Cons
1. Not Waterproof
2. No slit in the back for the leash
5) Scheppend Warm Dog Sweater
As you have Adidas for humans, now you have Adidog for your dogs. Adidog has no direct relation to Adidas but has a similar logo. The slight difference in their logo is that they use three bones instead of three stripes on their logo.
Adidog or Scheppend Warm Dog Sweater has 14 sweater sizes varying from X-small to 9XL and 10 different colors to choose from. This sweater is made of cotton which means it transmits moisture away and keeps the body comfortable, makes your pet fashionable. It’s super cute and ultra-soft. Also, it’s easy to put on and off your dog.
It comes with a dog hoodie which is double stitched to ensure durability with a super soft interior. But it does not have a slit for the harness in the back of the hoodie.
Pros
1. 14 sizes
2. 10 colors
3. Made of Cotton
4. Ultra Soft
5. Easy to fit
6. Attached Hoodie
Cons
1. No slit in the back of the hoodie for the harness
6) Zack &Zoey Nor’easter
We talked about so many sweaters made for dogs, but this one is unique in its own ways. This is a wearable blanket made for dogs, made up of 100% Polyester and yes this is water-resistant.
Zack & Zoey Nor’easter comes in a range of 8 sizes from XXX- Small to XX-Large, with a variety of 8 colors to choose from. It is a soft, durable, and machine-washable blanket coat for dogs. It can reverse its water-resistant shell to soft printed fleece for all weather conditions. Also, it comes with a reflective stripe on the coat to enhance its visibility at night.
Pros
1. 8 sizes
2. 8 colors to choose fro
3. Wearable blanket
5. 100% Polyester
6. Soft and Durable
7. Machine- washable
8. Can be reversed for all weather conditions
Cons
1. Velcro strap won’t keep the coat tight enough
2. Not waterproof
7) Fitwarm Knitted Sweater
Who hates small paws with an innocent face inside a cute and photo-ready sweater? Probably no one, right? This knitted sweater does not just warm up your dog during winters, but it also makes your dog photogenic.
Fitwarm Knitted Sweater is comfy and soft for your dog, which means it won’t make him uncomfortable while wearing it. Also, it’s perfect for everyday wear. It is available in 6 sizes, starting from X- Small to XXL.
Pros
1. Photogenic
2. Perfect for everyday wear
3. Comes in 6 different sizes
Cons
1. No slit in the back for leash
2. Odd Shape
3. High-Quality insulation, which is not good to wear it all-day
8) PAWZ Road Large Sweater
The PAWZ Road Large Sweater adds up the needed thickness and bulkiness to the sweater which a dog would need to stay warm in winter. It comes in 7 sizes, from S to 3XL with 4 different colors to choose from.
Its inner layer of fabric keeps the dog warm and comfortable from the cold. And its classic checkered look makes the dog looks adorable. Also, it has buttons on its underside for easy dressing and undressing it.
Pros
1. 7 sizes
2. 4 different colors to choose
3. Thick and bulky
4. The inner layer of fabric keeps the dog warm
5. Comes with a detachable hoodie
Cons
1. Only good for a light spring breeze
2. No slit for leash
9) PETCEE Waterproof Dog Jacket
Among so many non-waterproof sweaters, PETCEE came up with a waterproof sweater for dogs that keeps your dog warm and cozy even on rainy days, which means your dog can play outside without catching a cold. Comes in a range of sizes from M to 4XL and has 3 colors to choose from. It is also windproof. This means the sweater cannot be penetrated through the wind. Made up of 100% Fleece Lined and 100% Polyester Surface.
It has 2 layers in the outer part of the sweater and there is cotton between them. This adds extra security to the sweater, that it won’t let your dog shiver after wearing this sweater. Also, it can be worn outside and inside the house.
Pros
1. Waterproof
2. Windproof
3. Made of 100% Fleece Line and Polyester surface
4. 2 layers outside
Cons
1. Thin Layers outside and inside
2. Weak Velcro
10) Mihachi Dog Sweater
This cute and comfy Mihachi Dog sweater comes in 3 sizes, starting from S to L with a range of 3 colors to choose from. It is made up of 100% Polyester, which is very soft and comfortable to wear for your dog and is hand washable. Its neck style is turtle neck.
The knitted sweater is also very warm to wear. It’s easy to wear and take off cause of its elastic high neck design. This means there are no chances for your dog to get choked cause of a tight collar.
Pros
1. 100% Polyester
2. Soft and comfortable
3. Hand Washable
4. Turtle Neck
5. The elastic high neck design
Cons
1. Too Large Neck Hole
2. Stretches off with time and loses its shape
Important Things To Consider
1) Online Shopping
There are many sites that are dedicated to selling Dog Sweaters. If you just do a little research on these sites, you can find the ideal site which would suit you.
a. Always read the reviews left by previous buyers, reviews are the only way you feel more secured or vulnerable with the site. As reviews are the experience faced by other buyers with the product you are going to buy.
b. Check for those sites that allow the return of the goods sold so you can return those sizes, which are maybe too big or too small for your dog. Cause it is possible that the sweater didn’t fit your dog according to your calculations and expectations.
c. But all that time involved in shipping and then returning the product can be saved. If you take your dog to a pet shop and find the best size and color for him.
2) A Good Fit
Mostly all sweaters have the size measurement mentioned in the picture. So to find the right fit you have to measure your dog around the neck, waist, chest, and length from his back of neck to tail. This will help you find a sweater that is comfortable for your dog to wear, which won’t restrict him from running around.
3) Collar/ harness access
It would be cherry on the top if you can take your dog on a walk and show off his new adorable sweater. So it’s necessary to check that the sweater you pick has a hole to hook the lash.
4) Difficulty Putting on
The sweater should be easily worn and taken off your dog, because if not then it means the sweater is tight for the dog and it can also choke the dog. So look up for sweaters that are expandable or have little elasticity, also check the gap between the collars and the dog’s neck. Even buttons are good enough to make your dog end up looking adorable.
5) Material
There are many materials used to make a sweater like cotton, Polyester, Knitted, and Acrylic, every material have their own pros and cons. From them, you have to choose the one which provides more heat for your dog. But make sure not to end up buying the one which overheats the dog.
6) Machine Washable
You should check the description that is machine washable. Because there are many sweaters that require Dry Clean, Hand Wash or Wash delicately and hang dry are subject to be torn if put into a machine.
FAQ
Q) Do dogs really need sweaters or it’s just to make them look cute?
A) If your dog is a small short-haired one, then yes, he really needs it, keeping aside the fact that he would also look cute while wearing it. They need it because they have more surface area and their body cannot produce as much heat as bigger dogs can. So, sweaters do the work of producing heat from them.
Q) Is there any way to tell if my dog is feeling cold?
A) To know if your dog is feeling cold, you just need to check if his ears are cold or not, then you can make out when he is cold. If he is getting anxious, then it should be taken more seriously and if he is holding one or more paws to get off the cold ground or starts doing movements slowly, that’s the time to take him inside the house immediately.
Q) Around what temperature does a dog need a sweater?
A) When the temperature starts to fall below 45°F, some dogs which are not much adapted to cold will start to get uncomfortable and will need a sweater for protection. For the owners of a small breed, or thin hair breed or even puppies, if anytime the temperature outside falls at or below 32°F, then that’s the right time to make your pet wear a sweater.
Q) Will my dog be cold at night?
A) If you and your dog both are sleeping in the same room, then they are not likely to feel cold unless you are feeling cold. Cause the human body can handle the temperature at which dogs feel cold. But, if the human body feels cold, then think about your dog’s condition.
Cover them with a blanket at night, which will help them not to feel cold. If they feel hot, then they will crawl out of this blanket.
Q) Is there a possibility of small dogs getting cold more easily than large dogs?
A) Yes, because of their size, small dogs have small hair and are vulnerable to lose heat fast than larger ones and because of this smaller dogs get cold more easily than larger dogs.
Q) Is there any way to make my dog wear his sweater than forcing him to?
A) It takes time to do so, you have to train him with other basic tricks, as he will listen to you to sit he will listen when you tell him to wear the sweater. If the sweater suits his needs and is not uncomfortable for him, then he won’t reject the sweater and doesn’t want it to be taken off soon.
Q) How can I say if a sweater fits my dog?
A) If the dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable, or it’s not too tight to strict him to perform his daily actions.
Check carefully around the collar, if there is a two-finger gap between the collar and your dog’s neck then it’s good, or else it can choke your dog.
Also, you don’t want that cute sweater to prevent your dog from potty breaks. Check if both the exits are clear.
Q) Can we make a sweater out of dog hair?
A) It is very much possible to make a sweater out of dog hair. A dog’s fur can also be spun into yarn, just like a sheep’s wool, and then knit into anything you desire to make; even a sweater.
Q) Is it ok to let my dog wear the sweater all day?
A) Make sure your dog wears his/her sweater while they are preparing to go outside in very cold weather. They shouldn’t be wearing these clothing items inside the house because sweaters can overheat easily and can lead to a heat stroke or sudden death.
Q) What can happen to dogs in winter?
A) Dogs can have two serious risks during winter. That is Frostbite and Hypothermia.
Q) What is Frostbite and how it happens?
A) Frostbite is said to be damage made to the skin and other tissues due to exposure made to extreme cold. When the temperature starts to drop below 32°F (0°C), animals blood vessels that are close to the skin start to narrow.
There are some symptoms of frostbite which are; discoloration of the affected area of the skin- the discoloration is often pale, it may start to appear grey or bluish, cold, and brittleness near the area when touched. There is a sensation of pain or tenderness when you touch that body part as frostbite continues to rob tissues of blood flow and there is swelling of the affected areas.
Q) What is Hypothermia and what are its signs in dogs?
A) Hypothermia is a condition of having a low body temperature than you have normally. The signs of this in dogs are:
1. Shivering
2. Cold ears and feet
3. Rapid breathing
4. Increase in urination
5. Hair standing on ends
Conclusion
There is no doubt that there are tons of dog sweaters available online and offline. It is a very difficult task to pick the best one as there are so many materials from which sweaters are made up of. But now at least you had this guide to help with your problem and save some time. Now you know which one will fit your dog is he is of a particular size and which one is made up of what material.
So go and make your dog the super cutest one and don’t forget to click a picture of it.
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