Does your dog wear a coat when the weather is cold and wet? 

There is a wide variety of canine clothing around in the shops now and it can be tempting to purchase these for our canine friends. We are not talking about fashion costumes such as Halloween or Christmas outfits but rather practical outdoor canine clothing such as coats! Whether they actually need one will depend on their age, size, activity level and coat type. A large, thick-coated Labrador who is out for a run on a cold morning will likely generate enough body heat to keep themselves warm. On the other hand, an elderly Yorkshire terrier who is going for a slow stroll in to town on a frosty morning might get very chilly, as their smaller body loses heat faster. So it is purely down to the individual dog.

Considerations

A spokesperson for the RSPCA has highlighted a few areas to watch out for if you are considering a coat for your pet.

"Clothing could also rub and cause sores and if the animal is wearing it for a long time, it could cause skin conditions.Dogs have developed a very effective coat of their own, which will protect them from the elements. It is adjustable so they can raise the fur to control their temperature. Dressing them in a coat diminishes the animal's ability to regulate their own body temperature and could be detrimental if the animal gets too hot"

Some owners also use coats to prevent their dogs getting soaking wet in heavy rain, which can make drying them off a lot easier, especially if they have a long shaggy coat.

When the weather is damp for a while, we sometimes see a spate of dogs with 'wet eczema' – a bacterial overgrowth that can be triggered by your pets hair staying damp and dirty for too long. This often shows as a weepy area with a distinct smell, the fur overgrowing it often appears matted. If you are concerned about any skin conditions or that your pet is having difficulty regulating their temperature please feel free to book an appointment.

We would recommend if you choose to use a coat for your pet that it is the correct size to prevent rubbing, that there are no areas that can get caught when they are out exploring, and that you remain vigilant for any signs of over heating such as lethargy and excessive panting.

You can even get full-body waterproofs for dogs to avoid them getting covered in mud, but we're not sure dogs really enjoy wearing these. After all, this is Devon in the winter – and trying to keep your dog clean on walkies is probably a hopeless cause anyway!