Is it silly to dress your pets up for winter? In most cases your pets do not require clothing, however there are many instances where an extra layer can be beneficial for your pet.  It is true that your pet cat and dog (most breeds) have a full coat of fur to keep them warm, but in very cold temperatures a secure, non-restricting coat can help them better deal with the cold. Pets who are very elderly, very sick (particularly those who have lost fur due to illnesses or surgery) and those who are short-haired or hairless will benefit the most from having extra protection against the cold. Cats may not appreciate clothing or boots and will be better off kept indoors during winter. 

Safety concerns regarding clothing on pets Never leave your pets unsupervised when they are wearing a coat or sweater. If their coats get wet while they are outside in freezing weather, they are at risk for developing hypothermia. Because of the unnatural feeling of wearing clothing, many dogs will try to squirm out of their winter wear which poses a risk for strangulation and suffocation. Please keep an eye on your pets when they are dressed. 

Protect exposed foot pads from sidewalk salt and chemicals The ice and salt placed on sidewalks can be very irritating for the skin on your pet’s foot pads. Your pet will most likely begin to lick their pads once irritation occurs and end up ingesting dangerous chemicals in the process. For this reason, placing boots on your dogs is not a bad idea. Try starting with baby socks to get your pet used to the idea of wearing something on their feet. Let them walk around the house with the socks on and once they have accepted the socks, transition to securely fastened boots with a rubber sole to protect their feet.

Hairless or short haired, single coated pets will appreciate extra insulation Some dogs such as the Chinese Crested (hairless variety), Italian Greyhounds and short-haired Chihuahuas have coats that were designs for hot climates and have a hard time tolerating the cold weather that we experience here in Saskatchewan. For this reason, it is wise to put an extra layer on them to keep them warm during the winter.