8 Best Dog Coats in 2023 for Your Pooch to Stay Warm and Cozy During Winter
This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary advisor Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM
Dogs come with a natural coat, their fur! There are dog breeds that can endure cold climates than other breeds, including Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes. Samoyeds, etc.
Double-coated and long-haired dogs are also used to being in colder temperatures. However, some dogs don’t possess the same coat as these double-coated breeds, making them more susceptible to the cold.
Short-haired dogs, for example, don’t have enough protection from the cold, especially dogs with thin coats. In that case, some of these dogs need a bit of extra bundling to keep themselves warm – that’s where a dog coat comes in handy.
Keep your dog safe and warm during cold and chilly nights with our top 8 recommended best dog winter coats.
View The Best Dog Winter Coats Below
1. Hurtta Summit Parka Dog Winter Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: Hurtta
- Size: Available in 14 sizes
- Colors: Cherry, Raven, Orange, Green Camo
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Features: Adjustable Cord, Insulated, Lined, Leash Opening, Machine Washable, Reflective, Water Resistant
Our Review
Hurtta Summit Parka Dog Winter Coat is perfect for active pups who love going on strolls or long hikes in the winter weather. It keeps their body temperature at a stable level and doesn’t slip or shift while your dog is on the go. More impressively, the breathable outer layer has 3M reflectors to help with visibility at night. The adjustable buckles allow you to fit it perfectly to your dog, and it even has attachment loops for the hind legs to keep the coat secured in place.
Pros:
+ Easy to put on and take off
+ High-visibility 3M reflectors
+ Waterproof and breathable Houndtex coating
+ Adjustable back, collar, and belt
+ Machine-washable
Cons:
– Not rip-stop
– The size chart is slightly inaccurate; opt for a size up for a better fit
Why We Like It – The Hurtta Summit Parka Dog Winter Coat makes sure to do its job and protects your dog’s chest and the areas with the most heat loss. It’s the best dog winter coat for convenience as it is quick to put on and take off and easy to wash using a machine.
2. Zack & Zoey Polyester Nor’easter Dog Blanket Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: Zack & Zoey
- Size: Available in 8 sizes
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Colors: Black, Chive, Dark Blue, Gray, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red
- Features: Waterproof
Our Review
Check out this stylish soft plaid, fleece-lined reversible jacket available in 8 different colors. Zack & Zoey Polyester Nor’easter Dog Blanket Coat has a water-resistant shell made of 100% polyester. It’s a reversible jacket with a plaid or soft camo fleece lining inner layer, so you can use whichever side to fit your dog’s style for the day.
The reflective trim and little paw print detail on the polyester layer add safety and a touch of cuteness. This winter dog coat is compatible with machine wash on cold water and gentle cycle. A quick and easy clean!
Pros:
+ 100% polyester
+ Machine washable
+ Reversible waterproof shell
+ Reflective detailing
+ Adjustable fit
Cons:
– Sizing chart is inaccurate
– Poor neck coverage and doesn’t fit the neck too snugly
Why We Like It – We love machine washable options because of the convenience it provides. Use a gentle wash cycle in the machine and line dry. It comes with a polybag and a little hanger too! Another feature dog owners would like is the water-resistant outer layer, perfect to use even in freezing rain.
3. Weatherbeeta Parka 1200 Deluxe Dog Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: Weatherbeeta
- Size: Available in 8 sizes
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Colors: Navy/Grey/White
- Features: Waterproof
Our Review
Face-off against extreme cold weather with this Weatherbeeta Parka 1200 Deluxe Dog Coat. The outer layer is a triple-weaved, fully waterproof fabric with 220 grams of insulation fill, providing enough warmth for your pup on any freezing day. Covering the essential areas of the chest and abdomen, the Velcro closures will keep your pup dry and warm. The proper fit will still give them full mobility, and the reflective trim will keep them safe at night.
Pros:
+ Reflective strips to keep your dog visible at night
+ Waterproof and breathable outer layer
+ Full chest and belly coverage
+ Polyester lining with 220g polyfill
+ Large collar for added warmth and protection
Cons:
– Sizing is slightly off
– Coat can be stiff, making it hard for some dogs to walk with it
Why We Like It – The larger than an average collar with an elastic band gives comfort to your dog without them feeling strangled. Also, it has a leash portal that lets you hook your dog’s leash on the collar during your night walks. This dog jacket protects and keeps your pooch warm in all the right places with its full chest coverage and belly closure.
A dog life jacket is a better and safer alternative if you and your pup are out and about at sea.
4. ThinkPet Reversible Dog Winter Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: ThinkPet
- Size: Available in 8 sizes
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Colors: Blue, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow, Red and White Pattern
- Features: Windproof, Water-repellent, Reversible
Our Review
ThinkPet Reversible Dog Winter Coat might just be the best dog winter coat ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventures with your pooch. It includes amazing features, including a soft and quilted dual inner fleece so your dog can stay warm and comfortable. Plus, the extra long-2 way zipper opening for your dog’s harness and collar. It’s an incredibly lightweight material, so it won’t limit your dog’s mobility and even doubles as a safety dog vest with its reflective piping for added visibility.
Pros:
+ Quilted dual fleece for added warmth
+ Windproof and water-repellent polyester fabric
+ Reflective piping for added night visibility
+ Good belly coverage
+ 2-way zipper for collar and harness
Cons:
– Sizing is off and too small for most dogs; opt for a size up to get a better fit
– Velcro straps can wear off over time
Why We Liked It – Are you looking for an all-around dog winter coat that’s perfect for keeping your pup comfy and warm? This ThinkPet Reversible Dog Winter Jacket is the ideal jacket for dogs who love outdoor activities. Take your dog outdoors for daily walks, runs, hikes, hunts, and more with this cozy jacket!
5. Vecomfy Fleece and Cotton Lining Extra Warm Dog Hoodie
Product Specifications
- Brand: Vecomfy
- Size: Available in 7 sizes
- Closure Type: Button
- Colors: Blue, Green, Green Camo, Light Blue, Pink Red
- Features: Fleece Lining, Polyester Fill, Lightweight
Our Review
Protect your pup from chilly weather with the Vecomfy Fleece and Cotton Lining Extra Warm Dog Hoodie. It’s cotton and fleece lined to keep your dog warm and comfortable during cold nights. The best thing about it is it has a protective hood, so your dog’s head and ears are also kept warm. You don’t have to stumble while putting it on and off your dog because the fleece jacket has buttons that you can easily operate.
Pros:
+ Fleece and soft cotton lining
+ With polyester fill for extra warmth
+ Hoodie protects dog’s ear from the cold
+ Breathable and comfortable polyester exterior fabric
+ Elastic edges of foot and waist
Cons:
– Sizing chart is off and inaccurate
– Not waterproof
Why We Like It – It’s one of those dog jackets that make your furry friend absolutely adorable because of its design and style. The hood provides extra protection for your dog’s ears from extreme cold.
6. Kurgo Loft Reversible Dog Jacket
Product Specifications
- Brand: Kurgo
- Size: Available in 5 sizes
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Colors: Black/Yellow, Chili Red/Charcoal, Coastal Blue/Orange, Deep Violet/Charcoal, Floral/Magenta, Greenery/Forest Green, Heather Blue, Heather Red, Heather Violet, Ink Blue/Seaglass, Magenta/Petal, River Run/Black, Heather Black/Grey
- Features: Water-resistant, Reflective Piping, Lightweight
Our Review
Kurgo Loft Reversible Dog Jacket is easily machine washable and comes with a lifetime warranty! It uses loft technology that most jackets don’t have to make your pupper warm without overheating. Also, it comes with reflective piping, so your dog is more visible at night. The water-resistant outer shell keeps your pup dry and warm! Want to keep a hold on your pup during your walk? The zipper opening allows you to clip onto your dog’s harness or leash.
Pros:
+ Reflective piping for nighttime visibility
+ Loft technology to keep warm without overheating
+ Water-resistant
+ Reversible design
+ With a zipper opening for leash access
Cons:
– Sizing chart is inaccurate
– Largest size can’t fit most giant breeds
Why We Like It – The best feature of this dog winter jacket is not the reversible style, but the ripstop nylon material with Polytech fills. It’s guaranteed to keep your pup warm without getting them too hot because of its loft technology.
7. Hurtta Extreme Warmer Dog Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: Hurtta
- Size: Available in 13 sizes
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Colors: Currant, Raven
- Features: Waterproof, Reflective Foil Lining, 3M Reflectors
Our Review
The Hurtta Extreme Warmer Dog Coat is excellent for extremely cold weather conditions. Unlike regular coats, this is lined with foil much like an astronaut’s spacesuit, reflecting your dog’s body heat and stimulating blood circulation. To protect your pup’s head, the tricot hood can be lifted to cover their ears for extra warmth.
Adjustable in four different areas, it will fit your dog’s frame well. There is a place to fasten a leash no matter the size, and the 3M reflectors add more safety. The outer layer is 100% waterproof and breathable.
Pros:
+ Heat-reflective foil lining material
+ Adjustable back length, collar, and waist
+ Protective hood to protect dog’s ears and head
+ Reflective stitching
+ Protects the right muscle groups
Cons:
– Sizing chart is inaccurate
– Not as waterproof as advertised, only water-resistant
Why We Like It – Hurtta has taken every aspect of keeping your dog warm into consideration with this warmer dog coat. Suitable for extreme weather conditions, this is perfect for dogs who live in the northern hemisphere.
8. Kurgo North Country Dog Winter Coat
Product Specifications
- Brand: Kurgo
- Size: Available in 5 sizes
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Colors: Black, Blue, Red
- Features: Waterproof, LED Light Strip, Windproof
Our Review
The Kurgo North Country Dog Winter Coat is good against snow, wind, rain, and hail with its waterproof outer shell and soft fleece lining. The ripstop nylon is strong and stands against extreme weather. It has reflective trims and a flashing LED light strip for added visibility and safety. This Kurgo winter coat is one of the best dog winter coats that provides perfect coverage for any season. Get one for your active furry friend who loves the outdoors!
Pros:
+ Waterproof ripstop outer shell with fleece lining
+ Flashing LED light strip for added nighttime visibility
+ 1050 denier fleece for warmth
+ Collar or harness access
+ Easy on and off side-release buckles
Cons:
– Some customer reviews mentioned that the LED light is unnecessary, but it can be easily removed if you intend to not use it
– The zippered harness opening on the back has a tendency to let water in when it rains, but the solution is to wear a harness over the coat
Why We Like It – Wet and grimy weather does not have to put a damper on your plans. Slip this on your dog and know your dog is fully protected from any kind of weather! Dog owners love it for their dogs, especially with its easy on and off buckles; it’s not a hassle to put on.
A Buyers Guide to Dog Winter Coats
Does your dog need a coat? If you live in a country with tropical weather, chances are a raincoat would do just fine. A dog coat is a smart investment for those who live in countries where you need to bear colder weather conditions. A dog coat must be functional, comfortable, and hopefully not too hideous looking.
We will go through the top features to look for when buying a dog coat.
What to Look for When Buying a Dog Coat?
It’s a good idea to make a checklist of these features to look for next time you head to the doggy store.
Insulation/Material
The main function of a coat is to provide warmth and insulation. Fleece-lining is the best, aside from reflective foil on the neck areas. Fleece is preferred as it offers maximum comfort as well as warmth. Aside from their natural fur, some dogs need the aid of a good dog coat to provide proper insulation.
Convenience
We all know it’s hard to get a leash and harness on our dogs, but imagine trying to get a coat or overall coat on them. Velcro is a convenient feature to look for. Buttons can easily snag your pup’s fur and give them time to wriggle free when you’re looking for the snap buttons. Not to mention, buttons are easily chewed off. The best is an easily adjustable coat with a zip-up or Velcro closure.
Sizing
This is a tricky part of buying a dog coat. You need to get the size right, or you’re in trouble. A dog coat won’t provide proper protection if it isn’t fit for your dog. A coat that runs too large wouldn’t provide enough insulation and protection. At the same time, a coat that’s too small won’t cover all the essential areas.
Safety
How does a coat provide enough protection? By adding reflective trim, of course! Many dog parents like to go for a run or walk at night. Keeping visibility up with reflective 3M tubing is important to keep your pup safe.
Another safety feature is a leash access hole. This is a little hole usually located at the base of the neck to allow you to attach a leash to the collar or harness. Make sure the coat you want doesn’t restrict leash access.
Weather resistance
This factor combines material and function. In colder areas of the world, heavy rain, snow and hail are highly likely. If, by any chance, it also handles dirt and wind well, then make sure you get that one!
Above all else, you want a dog coat with water resistance as one of its top features. Keeping your dog warm and dry is the best way to prevent them from getting sick, frostbite, or hypothermia.
Easy to Clean
If a coat is going to properly shield your dog from the elements as well as rain and dirt, it had better be easy to clean. By easy to clean, we mean machine washable. Regular cleaning will be required if you and your dog frequent the outdoors.
If it’s able to be tumble-dried, that’s even better. But the usual options out there suggest hanging dry the little coats.
Conclusion
Now you can see how many different coats there are to choose from! Your first task is to identify what use the jacket will serve for your pet. Consider your climate and how often you will use the coat.
After that, take a look at the different features we mentioned. Hopefully, you will find one that includes all the above! Pay extra attention to the material and fit.
Do not compromise if the jacket doesn’t serve your purpose or is simply not the right size. You get what you pay for. Many dog jackets and coats of a higher price point are more expensive for a reason.
If you need a coat with extra padded insulation, a hood, fleece lining, and/or reflective foil, don’t worry about the price, as this one purchase should last a long while.
Expert Tip – How to Get Your Dog’s Measurements for the Perfect Fit
Let’s look at the best way to measure your dog for the most precise fit.
- Have your dog in a standing position
- Measure the neck circumference and the widest point of their chest (usually around the ribcage).
- Then, measure the base of the collar to the base of the tail for the proper length.
The right jacket will fit snugly around the neck and belly, which are the key areas to protect for heat retention. If you have a male dog, make sure the jacket still allows your dog to poop or pee without soiling the coat.
If your dog isn’t accepting the type of jacket you chose, try to find a different type or style, as there are more than enough to choose from!
Did You Know?
Weather conditions are not the only indicator of whether or not your dog needs a coat. Each dog is different, but if you have a dog weighing less than 10 pounds, your pooch definitely needs more protection. Dogs with longer and thicker coats originating from colder countries will obviously need less.
Because fleece jackets are so comfortable, don’t shy away from pairing a fleece coat with a rain-resistant coat for the full function of a parka, but with a more comfortable fit.
