Many of us worry about our pets when it’s horrible and cold outside. We’ve had everything from snow to storms this January, which isn’t very pleasant if you’re out taking your dog for a walk.
We make sure to wrap up warm when going for these wintry strolls, but should you be doing the same thing with your furry friend? It’s a question that was addressed by a vet recently.
On TikTok, a veterinarian called Maria said: “Putting a coat on your dog… is it humanising them? Do they really need it?” The expert said the answer isn’t as simple as you may think.
She continued: “Many times this practice is criticised because it’s said that they are animals, that they are tough, that they can withstand the cold, that their fur protects them, that it regulates their temperature… and that putting a little coat on them is stupid and humanising them.
“Well, I disagree. Like everything in life, you have to use a bit of common sense… It depends a lot on the dog and its breed.”
To demonstrate her point, the Spanish vet spoke about various different breeds. She said: “Nordic dogs, like a Husky, don’t need a coat.” This is because their fur naturally withstands more extreme climates.
This can be the same with other breeds too. Maria added: “My dog, for example, is a Border Collie and has quite a bit of fur; it’s also double-coated, so in winter it has more wool.”
However, other canines are not used to freezings temperatures and may need additional warmth in the form of a fleece or coat.
Maria continued: “There are little dogs that don’t have that type of fur. They don’t have it as long or as thick, nor do they have a double coat, and sometimes it’s trimmed before winter starts, so their skin is a bit more exposed to the cold.”
The vet also recommends that dog owners pay close attention to their pets’ behaviour. If they are shivering or seem cold, then it could be time to act.
She added: “My dog comes first and I want my dog to be well; I don’t care what any stranger says out there. Just meet your dog’s needs. That’s not humanising them – it’s caring for them and ensuring their comfort and welfare. And don’t worry about what people say, it’s not black or white. Take care of your dog.”
Since Maria’s video was posted onto TikTok, it’s garnered 52,700 likes. Many also took the time to leave positive comments. One said: “If I don’t shelter and cover my greyhound, I won’t sleep because he cries at me. It’s a drama queen!”
Another wrote: “I put a coat on my Yorkshire terrier and then had to put another on my Pitbull because the boy was jealous.” And a third added: “Very important point. There are breeds of dogs that originally didn’t belong to certain places and humans took them, removing them from their habitat.”
