How Do I Know If My Dog Needs a Jacket?
- 1). Bring your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup before the winter season starts, to rule out health conditions. Health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease or a hormonal imbalance might make your dog more vulnerable to the colder weather, according to the veterinary experts at HealthyPet.com.
- 2). Consider your dog's age. An older dog might require extra warmth, especially if it has arthritis, which can make its joints tender and stiff. A very young dog also might be more sensitive to colder temperatures. Both very old and very young dogs might benefit from wearing a jacket.
- 3). Take into account the length of your dog's hair and its breed. Shorter-haired dogs like dachshunds or toy breeds like chihuahuas might be affected by even mild temperature changes, and they could use the protection that a jacket provides. Long-haired breeds like huskies, golden retrievers and many terriers probably do not need any additional insulation.
- 4). Watch your dog carefully for signs that it is cold when you take it outside for a walk. If your dog shivers, whines, slows down, stops walking or seems anxious, it probably needs the extra warmth of a jacket.
- 5). Realize that if you live in a warm-weather climate and you take your dog on vacation to a cold-weather state, the dog will not be accustomed to cold conditions and might require a jacket to keep it comfortable, according to the veterinary contributors at DogChannel.com.
- 6). Check with your veterinarian if you are still unsure about whether your dog needs a jacket.
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