Does Your Dog Need a Coat in Autumn?

There comes a point every autumn when you leave the house in a jumper, immediately regret not bringing a coat and start wondering whether the dog is also freezing.

The dog, meanwhile, may be standing ankle-deep in a puddle looking delighted with themselves.

So, does your dog need a coat in autumn?

Possibly. But despite what the increasingly well-dressed dogs of Britain might suggest, not all dogs need an extra layer as soon as the temperature drops.

Some dogs already come with an extremely effective fur coat. Others have short, fine fur, very little body fat or simply struggle to hold onto body heat when the weather turns colder. Age, health, size, activity level, wind and rain can all make a difference too.

A dog coat can therefore be genuinely useful. It just shouldn't automatically become part of the uniform because you've spotted the first brown leaf of the year.

Here's how to work out what your dog actually needs.

Does your dog need a coat in autumn?

There's no single temperature at which every dog suddenly requires a jacket.

A dog's ability to cope with cold weather varies considerably depending on their breed, build, age, health and natural coat. A healthy Husky and an elderly Greyhound are technically experiencing the same weather. They are not necessarily having the same experience.

Dogs with thick fur, particularly breeds with dense double coats, already have substantial natural insulation. Their coat traps warm air close to the body and provides protection against colder conditions.

Other breeds have a much thinner coat.

Greyhounds, Whippets, Chihuahuas and plenty of other short haired dogs don't have the same insulation between their skin and the outside world. When temperatures drop, these dogs may lose body heat more quickly and can benefit from an extra layer.

Then there are individual differences.

Two dogs of the same breed can have different tolerances for the cold. One may spend October trying to lie on the coolest tile in the house. The other has already discovered the blanket cupboard.

Pay attention to the dog in front of you rather than relying entirely on what their breed is supposed to enjoy.

Not all dogs need a winter coat

For some dogs, putting on a winter coat during mild autumn weather isn't particularly helpful.

Breeds developed for colder climates often have thick coats designed to provide insulation. Many healthy, active dogs with dense fur are perfectly comfortable during ordinary autumn walks without additional clothing.

In fact, wrapping a well-insulated dog in a heavy warm coat when they don't need one can leave them uncomfortably hot, particularly once they start running around.

Remember, your dog isn't standing still beside you wondering why they didn't bring a scarf. They're probably walking, sniffing, running and producing heat through exercise.

So don't judge their comfort entirely by your own.

The fact that dog owners need three layers doesn't automatically mean dogs need three layers too.

The aim is to keep your dog comfortable, not dressed for the family Christmas card six weeks early.

Which dogs benefit most from wearing a coat?

While not all dogs need extra protection, there are some fairly obvious candidates.

Short haired dogs

Dogs with very short coats or fine fur don't have much between their skin and the elements.

Short haired breeds such as Greyhounds and Whippets are classic examples. Their combination of a thin coat and relatively low body fat means they can feel the cold more readily than a dog carrying considerably more fur.

For these dogs, wearing a coat can provide useful extra warmth as autumn moves towards the winter season.

Smaller dogs

Smaller dogs can lose body heat faster than larger dogs and are physically closer to the cold, wet ground.

Breeds such as Chihuahuas, particularly those with short fur, may therefore appreciate a sweater or coat when conditions turn chilly.

This doesn't mean every small dog needs dressing the moment September ends. Plenty will make their opinion clear.

Usually while you are still attempting to put their front leg through the correct hole.

Elderly dogs

An elderly dog may become less tolerant of the cold than they were when younger.

Older dogs can also have health issues such as joint problems that make miserable, damp weather particularly unappealing. A warm, dry outer layer can make winter walks more comfortable.

If your older dog seems unusually reluctant to walk, stiff, uncomfortable or sensitive to colder temperatures, it's also worth discussing the change with your vet rather than simply buying them a thicker jacket.

Dogs with health issues or low body fat

Dogs that are underweight, recovering from illness or have certain medical conditions may struggle more with maintaining their normal body temperature.

Again, this is an area where advice from your vet beats guessing.

A coat can provide warmth, but it isn't a treatment for an underlying health problem.

Cold weather isn't just about the temperature

This is where autumn becomes particularly good at being autumn.

Twelve degrees, still and sunny can feel completely different from twelve degrees accompanied by horizontal rain and a wind apparently arriving directly from the North Sea.

Temperature is only part of the picture.

Wind strips away warmth. Wet fur can make a dog feel colder. Long periods outside give the body more time to cool. Standing around is different from running.

That means your dog may happily go without a coat on one walk and benefit from one the following day, despite the thermometer showing a similar number.

A lightweight, water resistant dog coat can be particularly useful during cold rain for dogs that don't have much natural protection. Keeping the torso and belly reasonably dry can help prevent them becoming chilled.

And once you're home, dry your dog properly.

No coat works particularly well if the dog underneath it has been marinating in rainwater for an hour.

Signs your dog is feeling the cold

Fortunately, your dog will often give you a few clues that conditions are becoming uncomfortable.

Shivering is the obvious one, although it isn't the only sign. A dog that is cold may slow down, repeatedly lift their paws, tuck their tail, hunch their body, seek shelter or suddenly become considerably more interested in going home.

You know your dog's normal behaviour.

If your canine companion usually regards a 45-minute walk as the opening act and suddenly wants to turn around after ten, pay attention.

Cold dogs may also seek out extra warmth once they're indoors, curling tightly into a ball, burrowing into a blanket or finding the warmest soft surface available.

Persistent shivering, weakness, confusion or severe lethargy can indicate something more serious and deserves prompt veterinary attention.

The sensible approach is to react to signs of discomfort before your dog gets excessively cold.

Choosing the right dog coat

If you've decided your dog would benefit from a coat, fit matters considerably more than whether it has little pockets.

Although the pockets are admittedly excellent.

A good coat should cover the main part of your dog's body without restricting movement around the shoulders, neck, legs or tail. Your dog should be able to walk, run, sniff and go to the toilet normally.

It should sit securely without rubbing, digging into the skin or flapping around.

For damp autumn weather, a water resistant outer layer is useful. When conditions become colder later in winter, dogs that particularly struggle to stay warm may benefit from something with more insulation underneath.

Check the coat regularly too, particularly around straps and areas behind the front legs where rubbing can occur.

And don't assume your dog immediately understands the concept of wearing clothes.

Some dogs couldn't care less.

Others react to their first coat as though you have somehow removed their ability to walk.

Introduce new clothing gradually at home, reward calm behaviour and make sure your dog can move naturally before heading out.

Is a dog coat essential in extreme cold?

Even dogs that normally cope well with cold conditions deserve extra consideration during extreme cold, snow and prolonged periods outside.

A thick natural coat offers excellent protection, but no dog is completely immune to the effects of low temperatures.

Keep walks appropriate to the conditions, watch your dog's behaviour and remember that ears, noses, tails and paws remain exposed even when the rest of the dog is wrapped up.

Snow, ice, grit and frozen ground introduce their own problems too. Check paws when you return from walks and rinse away road salt or grit before your dog has a chance to lick it off.

A coat is useful protection for the body.

It is not an invisible force field.

Dog coat or fashion accessory?

There is nothing wrong with a dog looking magnificent.

If you want your Dachshund dressed like they have a meeting with the board at 9am, we support your creative direction.

The important bit is that a dog coat should work for the dog wearing it.

It needs to be comfortable, safe and appropriate for the weather. Don't leave a dog in heavy clothing when they're clearly warm, and generally remove outdoor layers once you're back inside unless there's a particular reason your dog needs them.

A centrally heated house plus a thick winter coat plus a dog already wearing their own fur coat is quite a lot of coats.

So, does your dog need a coat in autumn?

For most dogs, the answer isn't a simple yes or no.

A fit, healthy dog with a dense natural coat will generally cope with ordinary autumn temperatures without extra clothing. Dogs with short or thin fur, low body fat, smaller bodies, advancing age or certain health issues are more likely to benefit when the weather becomes cold.

Rain and wind matter. The length of the walk matters. Your dog's individual tolerance matters.

Most importantly, your dog matters.

Watch their behaviour as the temperatures drop. If they're shivering, slowing down or clearly uncomfortable, give them some extra protection. If they're bounding through a cold field completely unbothered beneath a substantial natural fur coat, you probably don't need to interrupt proceedings to put a sweater on them.

Autumn walks should still be walks.

If adding a coat means your dog stays warm, dry and comfortable enough to enjoy them, that's a pretty good reason to wrap them up.