Hey Woofa’s,

I’ve been getting a lot of dogs in my Grooming Salon of late that are matted!

When talking to the owner the case is usually that their dog has had a coat on.

It’s winter here right now and it does get cold.  So, yes (to a degree) I understand the need to put a coat on your dog.

HOWEVER, when your fluffy dog has nice longish hair, putting a coat on only causes matting.

Our house is freezing, when we don’t have our log fire on, in winter because 90% of the place is tiled.

So when Billy is at home with no fire on, yes we put a coat on him (as per the above picture).  He has short hair so it’s not a big deal.

The question remains :-

SHOULD MY DOG WEAR A COAT FOR WINTER?

I’m by no means opposed to dogs wearing coats, as I said Billy wears them!

What’s happening is when customers bring their dogs in for grooming, because it’s winter, they want to leave their hair longer – which is fine.

However, by putting a coat over the long hair, when the dog walks around etc, the coat rubs against the hair causing friction and matting.

So off comes the coat and there’s a body full of matted hair!!!!

Yes your dog can wear a coat for winter, if you follow these instructions:-

WHAT TO DO IF MY DOG WEARS A COAT FOR WINTER!

1. Make sure your dog’s coat actually fits them comfortably.  Places to check are around the neck, chest, stomach and under the arms.
2. If your dog has been trimmed off short, yes put a coat on them during the cold days/nights, but as their hair starts to grow, take the coat off them each day and brush their hair all over.
3. If your dog is kept longer for winter and is an inside dog, then no I wouldn’t put a coat on them while inside or for sleeping.
4. When taking your dog out for a walk during the colder weather then yes a coat is a good idea, however, keep checking your dog to make sure they’re not overheating while on their walk and wearing their coat.
5. If your dog is an outside dog, then yes I would keep them in a coat on colder days/nights, however, keep them brushed as well.
6. Give your dog coat free time, a coat can be restrictive at times, so allow your dog to play and run around without it on.  Billy doesn’t wear his coat when the fire is on, nor does he wear one to bed.
7. Putting a coat over a dog that’s already fluffy, is like putting a coat over a dressing gown, it’s not going to make much difference.

WHAT TO DO IF MY DOG WON’T WEAR A COAT?

If your dog won’t wear a coat, then that’s fine.  Some dogs just don’t like them and that’s okay.

To keep them warm make sure your dog has a nice warm and dry place to go to during the colder weather.

If they’re outside dogs, a kennel full of warm blankets is a good idea.  You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on blankets either.

The best ones to use are old blankets of yours, anything that has the family scent on it your dog will love.

If your dog is an inside dog, then same thing, a nice warm dry place to lay around in they will love.

Billy has our bed with is own Doona on it, which is actually the one I had on my bed when I lived at my parents.

He also has a dog bed in the computer room with another old Doona on it, and he has the lounges.

During the day if the house is cold, I’ll put his coat on.

Billy then lays on the lounge with a blanket over him, he doesn’t move much only when I come in to make lunch lol.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

The important thing is to make sure our dogs have a nice warm and dry place to go during the colder weather.

If your fluffy dog wears a coat, make sure to take it off and brush them each day.   This will mean they won’t have to be clipped off short at the groomers.

Don’t worry if your dog won’t wear a coat, just make sure they’re warm during the colder weather.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOUR DOG IS A COAT WEARER OR NOT?

Cheers