How Useful Is A Small Dog Raincoat To Protect Your Chihuahua From The Rain?
Weather changes are evident regardless of which season you are in. Be it summer or winter, you’ve got to keep your dog protected from the effects of climate change.
The rainy season mostly puts animals, especially dogs, at risk of catching the flu. You need to keep your pooch protected from harsh weather using a raincoat.
You need to consider many factors when getting your dog a raincoat. How useful is a small dog raincoat to protect your dog from rain? Let’s discuss this and how to choose a raincoat for your dog.
How Useful is a Small Dog Raincoat to Protect Your Chihuahua From the Rain?
A raincoat has many uses that greatly vary from one another. Some may think of it as fashion clothing that makes dogs look cute. Others may see the importance of using a raincoat to protect their dogs from the rain.
Benefits of a Small Dog Raincoat
Here are the benefits of a small dog raincoat and why your dog should wear one.
- It protects your dog from getting wet in the rain.
- It protects your dog from harsh weather conditions like snow and wind.
- It keeps your dog clean from muddy splashes, which helps keep your house clean.
- It helps motorists notice your dog on the road, especially while wearing bright-colored raincoats.
- It removes the hesitancy to step out of the house in the cold weather. Dogs are often reluctant to step out of the house in the cold weather.
- It’s ideal as fashion clothing to make your dog look adorable.
Factors to Consider When Determining if Your Dog Needs a Raincoat.
These are some of the factors to consider when deciding if your dog requires a raincoat.
Older dogs and dogs with specific medical conditions require a raincoat, and so do puppies who are more susceptible to the cold.
Some breeds originated in warmer climates may not respond well to cold weather. That includes our Chihuahuas indeed.
Dogs’ bodies are self-regulating in terms of temperature. Some dogs are more efficient in doing this than others. Small dogs don’t retain body heat as large dogs do, making it necessary for them to wear raincoats when stepping out in the cold weather.
Dogs with double-coat fur are well-protected, which doesn’t require them to wear raincoats. Their outer layer is water-resistant to keep the rain from getting down to the skin.
Their thick undercoat insulates them from the cold. Therefore, using a raincoat on this type of dog might make it feel too hot under it.
Which Dogs Require a Raincoat?
Some dogs require a raincoat more than others, such as the following.
- Small dogs
- Short-haired dogs
- Dogs that cannot grow hair due to an illness
- Young puppies
- Older dogs
- Dogs with a weak immune system
- Dogs with large ears
- Dogs with bellies that touch the ground
- Dogs with specific diseases
- Dogs who are soon after surgery
The following breeds require a raincoat more than others.
- Chihuahua
- Whippet
- Weimaraner
- Corgis
- Basset Hound
- Greyhound
- Chinese Crested
- Basenji
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
Some breeds evolved with oily, water-repellant skin, so they don’t necessarily require a raincoat as they will not get any health benefits from it. However, they may still find it comfortable to wear a raincoat.
Here are some of the breeds that don’t require a raincoat to protect them.
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Otterhound
- Newfoundland
- Portuguese Water Dog
What You Should Look For in a Small Dog Raincoat?
You need to consider several factors when looking for a small dog raincoat.
Shape And SizeThe shape and size of the raincoat need to be decided according to your dog’s body. There are raincoats with and without sleeves. You can choose one according to your dog’s nature and weather conditions.
If your dog is wearing it in very harsh weather conditions, it’s better to stick to a raincoat with sleeves to keep it well-protected. Raincoats with sleeves go down to the dog’s ankle, ensuring that water and wind do not enter from underneath.
Complete coverage is essential when you want the raincoat to serve its true purpose.
HoodHoods are ideal for protecting your dog’s face and head from the harsh weather’s effects. However, not all dogs like to wear hoods, so you need to test them on your dog to see if he enjoys wearing them.
An extended collar is an excellent alternative for a hood, especially if your dog doesn’t like it. It will provide adequate protection from the weather and will not annoy your dog like a hood.
Ease Of UseAnother essential factor to consider is how easy the raincoat is to use. You’ll probably be putting it on your dog when it’s raining or windy. So, you need to be able to put it on and pull it off quickly.
If you use a leash on your dog, the raincoat must be compatible with a leash, harness, or collar. Some raincoats have an opening for the leash, others require the leash to fit over it.
Make sure you buy a raincoat with all of these factors in mind so that you won’t be struggling with your dog amidst strong winds and rain trying to put on or pull off the raincoat.
ColorColor is a vital factor to consider when getting your dog a raincoat. Bright-colored raincoats make your dog visible to motorists in low-light weather conditions. It prevents your dog from being met with an accident due to low visibility by motorists.
It’s also a good idea to wear an orange jacket when going to the woods so that it’s easy to spot your dog in case it gets lost.
Waterproof And Reflective SurfacesReflective surfaces also help in clear visibility of the wearer. Ensure your dog’s raincoat has a reflective surface to be visible even in low-light weather conditions.
It should also be made of waterproof material to prevent your dog’s body from getting wet underneath. Hence, the raincoat will keep your dog’s body dry as intended.
Efficient StrapsA raincoat should stay on your dog’s body. If not, it wouldn’t be serving its true purpose. Ensure the jacket has straps so it can be secured on your dog’s body.
Without straps, the jacket will fall off in the rain and strong winds, exposing your dog to harsh weather conditions. The whole purpose of wearing a raincoat goes in vain due to inefficient straps.
Warm LinerA warm liner in the raincoat is essential for most dog breeds. Dogs with no underlying or short coats require a warm liner to provide the required insulation. The warm liner could be made of fleece, wool, or any synthetic material.
You should also consider your dog’s allergies when selecting a warm-liner raincoat. Your dog shouldn’t be allergic to any of its materials.
Hand Wash Or Machine WashableYour dog’s raincoat is something that will get dirty very often. There are two options when it comes to watching raincoats. They are either hand-washable raincoats or machine-washable ones.
It’s better to opt for one that is machine washable because you will be washing it most of the time.
How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Cold Weather?
Here are a few tips on how to keep your dog safe in cold weather.
- Pet-proof your home because your dog will spend more time indoors than outdoors.
- Manage your dog’s food intake because the calories it gets through food help fuel activities that keep it warm, such as exercising and shivering.
- Protect your dog’s paws in cold weather using products like Paw Guard.
- Keep outdoor activities limited to a very short time.
- Provide an indoor potty solution.
- Keep up with your dog’s grooming sessions.
Ipetguides.com provides more tips and advice on how to take care of your dog best to ensure its safety and protection.
The Best Chihuahua Raincoats.
Chihuahua Empire Waterproof Raincoat: $19.95
The Chihuahua Empire Waterproof Raincoat is 100% waterproof and available in three trendy styles. It consists of a hoodie to keep your dog dry. It comes with a risk-free 15-day guarantee and is ideal for use during fall.
Chihuahua Reflective Waterproof Raincoat: $17.95
Chihuahua Reflective Waterproof Raincoat is a 100% waterproof and water-repellent raincoat with a reflective surface. It is available in five distinct colors to easily spot your Chihuahua wherever it is. Take a look!
Chihuahua Waterproof Fashion Raincoat: $22.95
Chihuahua Waterproof Fashion Raincoat is the raincoat that every true American patriot will love! Available in four sizes and two different colors, blue and red. Your only task is to choose the appropriate size that will fit your little fur baby!
The Bottom Line.
A small dog raincoat is essential to keep your dog safe and protected from rain, extreme winds, snow, and other harsh weather conditions.
When choosing the ideal raincoat for your dog, you must focus on several factors, such as size, hood, color, ease of use, and water-resistant and reflective surface.
Some dogs require raincoats due to their short hair, while other breeds don’t need them because of their water-repellent skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need To Have A Small Dog Raincoat For Your Dog?
A small dog raincoat is essential for many breeds to protect them from harsh weather conditions such as extreme rain, wind, and snow.
Should A Dog Wear A Raincoat In The Winter?
A dog should wear a waterproof raincoat to ensure that it stays dry and warm in the chilly winter season.
At What Temperature Do Dogs Need A Coat?
A dog needs a coat when the temperature falls to 40 F.