Does My Dog Need a Coat in Winter?

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) suggests a sweater or dog winter coat if your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold. The ASPCA gives the same advice for short-haired dogs, with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.

The AVMA adds that long-haired and thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. A wet coat, it warns, can make a dog colder.

How cold is too cold is its own question, and our guide to how cold is too cold for dogs covers it. This article is about the coat itself: which dogs the authorities flag, what to look for, and how to use one.

Which dogs feel the cold most?

The AVMA says cold tolerance varies from pet to pet based on coat, body fat stores, activity level and health. It calls it a common belief, and an untrue one, that fur makes dogs more resistant to cold than people.

A 2023 scientific review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) names two of the main factors: how well a dog's coat insulates, long or short, with or without an undercoat, and the dog's size.

The AVMA describes these dogs as feeling the cold faster or being more susceptible to it:

• Short-haired dogs, which the AVMA says feel the cold faster because they have less protection.
• Short-legged dogs, which may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to touch snow-covered ground.
• Very young and very old dogs. The AVMA also names pets that are young, old, ill or thin as particularly susceptible to cold environments.
• Dogs with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances such as Cushing's disease. The AVMA says these pets may have a harder time regulating body temperature and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes.

The AVMA also notes that cold weather may worsen some medical conditions, such as arthritis. If you need help working out your dog's limits, it advises asking your vet.

Here's a fact that surprises people. EFSA's review describes Greyhounds, a breed with very short fur, as known to be sensitive to cold.

What about thick, double-coated dogs?

EFSA describes a double coat as two layers: a dense undercoat and a longer, protective topcoat.

The AVMA says longer-haired and thick-coated breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather. It adds that no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.

Long-haired dogs have a different winter chore. The ASPCA suggests simply trimming a long coat to minimize clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry the skin, including the hair between the toes.

The AVMA adds that clipping the hair between the toes may reduce the chance of ice balls building up there.

Does a coat really make a difference?

The research on dog coats is small. Two recent studies are worth knowing about.

In a 2026 study from Massey University in New Zealand, eight short-haired working farm dogs slept outdoors overnight with and without a coat. Wearing a coat, they spent 48% of the night asleep, against 40% without one.

The difference was clearest during the cooler evening hours, and the researchers saw no negative reactions to the coats. They point out that the nights were mild and the group was small, which limits how far the results can be applied.

A second 2026 study, in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, used thermal cameras on 33 healthy dogs. Short-haired dogs showed warmer readings on the trunk, neck and lower back than medium- and long-haired dogs.

That sounds backward until you hear the authors' explanation: they attribute it to reduced insulation from the shorter coat, so more body heat shows at the surface.

What should a dog winter coat cover?

The ASPCA recommends, for short-haired dogs, a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail to the belly.

Belly coverage ties back to the AVMA's point about short-legged dogs, whose bellies are more likely to touch snow-covered ground.

No veterinary source we found gives sizing rules for coats. If you're unsure about fit, or whether a coat works with your dog's harness, ask your vet or the store for help. Our guide on how to stop a dog pulling on the leash covers harnesses.

Booties are optional. The ASPCA notes that they can keep sand and salt from lodging between bare toes and causing irritation. The AVMA's condition is that they fit properly.

What if the coat gets wet?

The AVMA warns that wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder. It suggests keeping several on hand so you can use a dry one each time your dog goes outside.

Merck's veterinary manual notes that frostbite is more likely in wet or windy conditions, and in dogs poorly adapted to cold climates.

When you get home, the ASPCA advises washing and drying your dog's feet and stomach after each walk to remove ice, salt and chemicals. The AVMA adds the legs, because de-icers, antifreeze and other chemicals picked up on walks could poison a dog who licks them off.

The ASPCA also recommends bathing as little as possible during cold spells, because washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of dry, flaky skin. Our guide to how often to bathe a dog has more.

How can I tell if my dog is too cold?

The AVMA says that if your dog is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, these are signs of hypothermia, and you should get them back inside quickly.

The sources differ on shivering. Merck's veterinary manual says shivering is not usually a sign of hypothermia (a dangerously low body temperature) in pets. It lists weakness, disorientation, shallow breathing, a slow pulse and collapse.

The AVMA adds that frostbite is harder to detect and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect hypothermia or frostbite, it advises consulting your vet immediately.

Call your vet promptly if your dog:

• seems weak, disoriented or unusually slow after time in the cold, or collapses, signs Merck links to hypothermia
• has ear tips, feet or a tail that look pale or red, swollen or painful, which Merck lists as signs of frostbite
• has cracked or bleeding paw pads, which the AVMA lists as signs of cold-weather injury
• starts limping suddenly on a walk, which the AVMA says may be an injury or ice built up between the toes
• may have licked antifreeze or de-icer from paws, legs or belly. The AVMA warns that even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly

Questions new dog parents ask

Do dogs need coats in winter?

The AVMA suggests a sweater or coat for dogs with a short coat or who seem bothered by cold. It describes long-haired and thick-coated dogs as more cold-tolerant, though still at risk. Your vet can help you judge your own dog.

Is a sweater as good as a coat?

The AVMA suggests either a sweater or a dog coat, and its main condition is that it stays dry, since wet sweaters or coats can make a dog colder.

Do puppies need a coat?

The AVMA names very young pets among those more susceptible to temperature extremes. EFSA notes that newborn puppies can't regulate their own temperature. Ask your vet about your puppy's breed, size and age.

My dog has a health condition. Does that change things?

It can. The AVMA says pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances may have a harder time regulating body temperature. Ask your vet about your dog's limits before winter.

Sources

• American Veterinary Medical Association: Cold Weather Animal Safety
• ASPCA: Cold Weather Safety Tips
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Winter Months, 2025
• EFSA. Scientific and technical assistance on welfare aspects related to housing and health of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments. EFSA Journal, 2023
• Wang T, et al. Accelerometry-Based Assessment of Overnight Coat Use on Dog Sleep and Activity Patterns: Implications for Farm Dog Welfare. Animals, 2026
• Hall et al. Infrared thermography in clinically healthy dogs shows body region and haircoat variability. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.