Retrievist / Reviews / Apparel / Best Dog Winter Coats to Keep Your Pets Warm

Best Dog Winter Coats to Keep Your Pets Warm
Dog winter coats must be adequately warm to keep dogs cozy during the coldest months. The degree of warmth your dog needs will depend on your dog’s coat type, activity level, age, and the climate you live in. You may want a waterproof coat for rainy day walks, but this isn’t an essential feature for all buyers. Our extensive research led us to consider hundreds of dog winter coats. You’ll find our favorite options below.
- WARM
- COMFORTABLE
- FLEXIBLE
- DURABLE
- EXTENDED NECK
- EASY TO PUT ON
Thanks to the dense insulation, this is the perfect coat for extremely cold temperatures and snowy or icy conditions. It's designed to keep the most important muscle groups for heat production warm, and the lining reflects body heat back at your dog. The polyester material it's made from is durable, and the surface material is laminated with a waterproof and...
You can choose from nine sizes, between 10 and 26 inches long, as well as 3 solid colors, along with park camo and coral camo. It has an impressive rating of 4.6 stars.
- DURABLE
- EXTENDED NECK
- EASY TO PUT ON
- WARM
- COMFORTABLE
- FLEXIBLE
Thanks to the dense insulation, this is the perfect coat for extremely cold temperatures and snowy or icy conditions. It...
You can choose from nine sizes, between 10 and 26 inches long, as well as 3 solid colors, along with park camo and coral camo. It has an impressive rating of 4.6 stars.
- Cozy
- Padded
- Water-resistant
- Reversible
- Well-made
- Reflective
If you’re on a budget, but you need a warm winter coat for your dog, this is the ideal option. It's made from polyester with polyfill padding inside. While it isn't waterproof, it is water-resistant, so will stand up to light mist or snowfall. It has a good amount of belly coverage and extends up the neck to keep your dog even warmer.
There ...
There are eight colors and plaids to choose from and since this is a reversible coat, you get two looks in one. Sizes run from x-small to x-large, so most dogs are covered. This coat has a 4.4 rating from more than 1,400 reviewers.
Thanks to the extra coverage underneath the belly and up the neck, dogs feel very warm in this winter coat.
What Humans Love:With a wide range of colors and sizes, there's something to suit almost every dog.
If you’re on a budget, but you need a warm winter coat for your dog, this is the ideal option. It's made from polyeste...
There are eight colors and plaids to choose from and since this is a reversible coat, you get two looks in one. Sizes run from x-small to x-large, so most dogs are covered. This coat has a 4.4 rating from more than 1,400 reviewers.
- Good coverage
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Great color range
- Water-resistant
- Machine washable
This rugged winter coat should keep your dog toasty for many winters to come. It has a water-resistant outer shell, and polyfill padding inside for warmth. However, it isn't suitable for extremely cold temperatures unless you layer an extra sweater underneath.
It comes in 9 reversible colors, so that's a total of 18 hues altogether, giving you...
It comes in 9 reversible colors, so that's a total of 18 hues altogether, giving you a huge number of options. Sizes range from x-small to x-large, although it's best to refer to the size chart for exact measurements. With around 2,000 reviews on Amazon, it has an overall rating of 4.4.
This coat is comfortable to wear and easy for humans to put on and take off.
What Humans Love:Since it's machine washable, it's easy to clean no matter how mucky the wearer gets on walks.
This rugged winter coat should keep your dog toasty for many winters to come. It has a water-resistant outer shell, and ...
It comes in 9 reversible colors, so that's a total of 18 hues altogether, giving you a huge number of options. Sizes range from x-small to x-large, although it's best to refer to the size chart for exact measurements. With around 2,000 reviews on Amazon, it has an overall rating of 4.4.
- warm
- has pockets
- durable
- not flashy
- high quality
- easy to take on and off
Coming in an array of neutral and flashy colors, this Carhartt dog coat was made for the outdoors. It's made of 100 percent ring-spun cotton and has a water-repellent exterior as well as a quilted nylon lining for warmth and a corduroy-trimmed collar that tucks into coat the coat. Basically, it's both warm and durable. The velcro closure makes it easy to put...
The coat has an average 4.7-star rating from more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon. Shoppers particularly love it because you can expect the same quality of most Carhartt products—just for your furry friends instead.
- not flashy
- high quality
- easy to take on and off
- warm
- has pockets
- durable
Coming in an array of neutral and flashy colors, this Carhartt dog coat was made for the outdoors. It's made of 100 perc...
The coat has an average 4.7-star rating from more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon. Shoppers particularly love it because you can expect the same quality of most Carhartt products—just for your furry friends instead.
- Soft lining
- Warm
- Easy on
- Low price
- Good fit
The comfy fleece-lined design of this dog coat is great for cool days, although not for below-freezing temperatures or long cold-weather adventures. It gives good belly coverage for additional warmth, and the hood can keep the dog’s neck and ears warm.
You only get a choice of three colors: blue, pink, or red, but we haven't seen any complai...
You only get a choice of three colors: blue, pink, or red, but we haven't seen any complaints about this. Sizes run from x-small to xxx-large, but they do run slightly on the small size. From around 2,000 Amazon reviews, this coat has a 4.6 rating.
- Easy on
- Low price
- Good fit
- Soft lining
- Warm
The comfy fleece-lined design of this dog coat is great for cool days, although not for below-freezing temperatures or l...
You only get a choice of three colors: blue, pink, or red, but we haven't seen any complaints about this. Sizes run from x-small to xxx-large, but they do run slightly on the small size. From around 2,000 Amazon reviews, this coat has a 4.6 rating.
- Cozy
- Soft
- Warm
- Reasonably priced
- Durable
- Waterproof option
Another nice reversible option, giving you two choices with each jacket. One side has diamond-shaped stitching, and the other comes in various styles of plaid. The diamond-stitched side is waterproof, whereas the plaid side is not. The polyester fiber lining provides plenty of warmth for an average winter's day.
You can choose from eight color...
You can choose from eight color options and eight sizes from xx-small to xxx-large. On Amazon, this coat has an average rating of 4.3 from more than 11,000 reviewers.
- Reasonably priced
- Durable
- Waterproof option
- Cozy
- Soft
- Warm
Another nice reversible option, giving you two choices with each jacket. One side has diamond-shaped stitching, and the ...
You can choose from eight color options and eight sizes from xx-small to xxx-large. On Amazon, this coat has an average rating of 4.3 from more than 11,000 reviewers.
- Good coverage
- Soft fleece lining
- Attractive plaid
- Machine-washable
- Good value
Dogs who feel the cold badly may benefit from this coat that covers the whole back and back legs, giving your dog almost total body coverage (apart from the area needed for toileting) to keep cold at bay.
Sizes range from x-small to x-large, although it is designed for small and medium dogs, so you may need a larger size than expected. It come...
Sizes range from x-small to x-large, although it is designed for small and medium dogs, so you may need a larger size than expected. It comes in either gray plaid or red plaid with a white fleece lining. The 4.5 Amazon rating will give buyers peace of mind when it comes to quality.
- Attractive plaid
- Machine-washable
- Good value
- Good coverage
- Soft fleece lining
Dogs who feel the cold badly may benefit from this coat that covers the whole back and back legs, giving your dog almost...
Sizes range from x-small to x-large, although it is designed for small and medium dogs, so you may need a larger size than expected. It comes in either gray plaid or red plaid with a white fleece lining. The 4.5 Amazon rating will give buyers peace of mind when it comes to quality.
- COMFORTABLE
- LIGHTWEIGHT
- WARM
- EASY ON AND OFF
- HARNESS COMPATIBLE
- WATERPROOF
Despite the soft feeling of this winter dog coat's outer shell, it is waterproof to protect your dog in wet weather. It seems quite thin upon examination, but it has a reflective inner layer that reflects dogs' natural body heat back at them to keep them warm without the jacket needing to be too bulky.
Sizes run from x-small to xxxx-large and ...
Sizes run from x-small to xxxx-large and will fit most breeds of dog. Color choices are plentiful, with 13 shades on offer. It has an average rating of 4.8 stars, with customers praising its durability and water resistance.
- EASY ON AND OFF
- HARNESS COMPATIBLE
- WATERPROOF
- COMFORTABLE
- LIGHTWEIGHT
- WARM
Despite the soft feeling of this winter dog coat's outer shell, it is waterproof to protect your dog in wet weather. It ...
Sizes run from x-small to xxxx-large and will fit most breeds of dog. Color choices are plentiful, with 13 shades on offer. It has an average rating of 4.8 stars, with customers praising its durability and water resistance.
- Soft inside
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Low cost
- Durable
- Easy on and off
With its waterproof top layer and warm but not too thick fleece lining, this is the ideal option for wet yet relatively mild winters. We like the additional coverage under the belly and up on the neck.
If you like to have lots of color choices, you may be disappointed, since this coat is only available in orange, black, or red. There's a wide ...
If you like to have lots of color choices, you may be disappointed, since this coat is only available in orange, black, or red. There's a wide range of sizes, however, running from x-small to xxxxx-large. This winter dog coat has a 4.2 rating from more than 1,800 Amazon reviewers.
- Low cost
- Durable
- Easy on and off
- Soft inside
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
With its waterproof top layer and warm but not too thick fleece lining, this is the ideal option for wet yet relatively ...
If you like to have lots of color choices, you may be disappointed, since this coat is only available in orange, black, or red. There's a wide range of sizes, however, running from x-small to xxxxx-large. This winter dog coat has a 4.2 rating from more than 1,800 Amazon reviewers.
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
- Great value
- Well-made
- Highly durable
This reflective winter coat is ideal for walking dogs in low light. It's an all-round high-quality coat, too, from a brand known for its top-notch horse apparel. The outer layer of the coat is made from tough 300 denier nylon with 220 grams of warm polyfill inside to protect your dog from the cold.
Choose from yellow, orange, and reflective ye...
Choose from yellow, orange, and reflective yellow, and a range of sizes from 12 to 32 inches in length. Its impressive 4.7 rating sets it apart as an exceptional dog coat.
- Great value
- Well-made
- Highly durable
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
This reflective winter coat is ideal for walking dogs in low light. It's an all-round high-quality coat, too, from a bra...
Choose from yellow, orange, and reflective yellow, and a range of sizes from 12 to 32 inches in length. Its impressive 4.7 rating sets it apart as an exceptional dog coat.
- Soft
- Waterproof
- Reversible
- Reflective
- Affordable
You get two distinct options from this reversible dog coat. Worn one way, it has a black waterproof exterior and soft fleece lining. Worn the other way around, it has a red fleece exterior and a smooth inner lining that won't pick up too much fur. The fleece contains a self-warming material that helps keep body heat locked in.
There's only the...
There's only the one color option, but you can select from one of four sizes, small to x-large. It has a good 4.5 rating on Amazon.
- Reversible
- Reflective
- Affordable
- Soft
- Waterproof
You get two distinct options from this reversible dog coat. Worn one way, it has a black waterproof exterior and soft fl...
There's only the one color option, but you can select from one of four sizes, small to x-large. It has a good 4.5 rating on Amazon.
What Is a Dog Winter Coat?
A dog winter coat is one that's warm enough to protect your dog from the cold temperatures prevalent throughout winter. Of course, winter conditions vary depending on location, so what might be a suitable winter dog coat in Virginia probably wouldn't cut it in Minnesota. Many, but by no means all, winter dog coats are waterproof.
When looking for a coat or jacket for your pet, you'll want to look for protection on your dog's neck and stomach. The top of the coat should reach from the neck to the tail without interfering with your dog's ability to go potty.
Additionally, make sure your dog's winter jacket doesn't restrict movement. It should be comfortable and cozy but still allow your dog to move normally.
Which dogs need winter coats?
Small and toy breeds such as Pugs and Chihuahuas are unable to retain enough body heat because of their size. In addition, low-set dogs like Dachshunds may need a coat because they bellies are low to the ground. Shorthaired and slender dogs such as the Whippet benefit from jackets, too, and a winter coat is especially important for senior dogs, who may have additional issues such as arthritis or a weakened immune system.
Also note that dogs can suffer from frostbite, especially on delicate earflaps and tail tips. In extreme cold, it’s a good idea to keep dogs inside, with the exception of the heavy-coated northern breeds that thrive in low temperatures. If it’s not possible to keep the dogs indoors, be aware of the major signs of frostbite, which include skin that appears white or blue.
Prep for cold weather with additional winter gear, such as dog booties or a heated dog bed.
Not necessarily. This depends on a range of variables, such as how cold the winters are where you live and the thickness of your dog's coat. That said, it's good to have a winter coat ready to go in case you experience a cold snap. Almost all dogs will benefit from a coat in extreme weather. Older dogs suffering from arthritis or other conditions may not like cold, wet weather and may enjoy the warmth of a coat.
You can find some thinner winter dog coats for indoor use, but the average option is too warm for indoor use.
Yes, absolutely. Even if you don't believe in dressing dogs up just for show, putting a coat on your dog to protect them from the cold and rain is different.
If your dog is shaking, shivering, or is visibly uncomfortable, take your dog inside to warmth immediately. Try out a warm jacket and some booties to take your pet back outside and pay attention to body language to determine if your dog is comfortable.
This depends on where you live and what type of weather you're experiencing. Pet sweaters are a great option for Fall and Spring, when temperatures can get chilly but aren't extreme. The benefit of winter coats is that they are waterproof and are much more protectant and warm than a typical sweater. It's best to have both on hand so you can determine which one is best based on that day's weather.