To Coat or Not to Coat

Written by CP's Blog Intern Volunteer

For those of us in the East, this bitter winter with record snowfalls has been a tough winter for dog owners. As humorous as it is to watch your Cairn sink into snow that is deeper then he or she is tall, common sense kicks in and you realize that all this cold can’t be good for him or her. Right?

We’ve all seen the dog owners who bundle their best friends in coats during the winter to make sure they’re warm. Especially in winters like this it seems to make sense, not just to protect your dog from the low temperatures but also from catching cold. Yet, in an article at the New York Post, the American Veterenarian Association points out that dogs won’t catch cold without a coat because: “…there is no cold virus that affects them.”

With dogs unable to catch cold, surely they’re still at risk from exposure to the elements? Not according to veterinarian Jesse Webb from Juneau, Alaska who says that: “Just because we feel cold, it doesn’t mean our dogs do.” In fact, the New York Post article goes on to say that putting a coat on your dog can actually be dangerous! Certain dog breeds like Huskies self-regulate their own body temperature with fur that lifts up off their bodies or presses against it depending on the temperature. Putting a coat on such an animal would be unnatural and possibly lead to heatstroke.

While there are exceptions to this rule, such as small thin-haired breeds like the Chihuahua, for the most part dogs don’t need coats. They probably don’t even want them. Having attempted to put coats on my dogs in the past I can tell it’s an act they don’t look forward to and they seem quite happy for it to come off. While our desire to coat our dogs is a testament to how much they mean to us sometimes too much concern can be just as bad as too little.

Our picture is of a Cairn Terrier wearing a winter coat. The breed is a perfect example of a dog that may not need a man-made coat as it already possesses a double-layered coat with a soft, dense under coat and a harsh outer one. Putting a coat on your Cairn could actually harm it! So keep your cairn warm and dry but take these points into consideration.

Source Material

HSUS Offers Pet Safety Tips for Winter

Simple ways to ensure pets' comfort and well-being during cold fronts

Marena, former CP foster, models a sweater in the snow

With cold Arctic air sweeping across the nation, The Humane Society of the United States urges pet owners to take extra precautions this winter to ensure the safety of their companion animals.

The weekend's colder than normal temperatures across much of the country are expected to last through the middle of the week, with strong winds gusting up to 50 mph in places. Wind-chills will feel down to zero in some of those gusty areas of the Northwest and Midwest interior, and the wind and cold can pose serious health risks to family pets.

"Animals rely solely on their human caregivers for safety and comfort — especially during the winter months," said Betsy McFarland, senior director of companion animal for The HSUS. "Our pets are particularly vulnerable during this frigid season, and with just a few extra precautions you can help make sure that they stay safe and healthy."

Help keep your pet safe during the colder months by following these simple guidelines:

Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. Dogs and cats are safer indoors, except when taken out for supervised exercise. Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young, or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car's hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet and may be harmful if ingested. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them to remove snow packed between your pet's paws. Pet-friendly ice melts are available at many pet supply stores across the nation or online.

Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that can attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic in small amounts than traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze.

No matter what the temperature, wind chill can threaten a pet's life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog spends significant time outdoors, however, he/she must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

If you're feeding homeless cats, be sure to provide an insulated shelter for them. Information about building a shelter, spaying and neutering and more is available at humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats.
The best prescription for winter's woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. The happiest dogs are those who are taken out frequently for walks and exercise but kept inside the rest of the time. Dogs and cats are social animals who crave human companionship. Your animal companions deserve to live indoors with you and your family.




The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty