Grantham pet expert Sara Barnes, of Who Lets Your Dog Out? Ltd, asks could getting a jumper for your dog save you from putting the heating on?
Pet expert Sara Barnes, of Who Lets Your Dog Out? Ltd, asks could getting a jumper for your dog save you from putting the heating on? She writes:
You either love them or hate them, but with people considering what to do with the heating at home as autumn has just arrived and the cooler weather is starting to kick in, could getting a jumper for your dog really save you from putting the heating on?
We all know that in years gone by when the weather turned colder you were told to wrap up warmer even in the home before the heating was put on, which could have been putting on thermals, a jumper and in extreme cases hat and gloves. But what about the dogs in our homes?
If you have a small breed (think teacup breeds or Chihuahuas), skinny dog (think whippets or greyhounds) or an older dog then getting them a jumper could help them to stay warm in the colder months, both in the home and when out and about.
On the flip side most working breeds like Labradors, Spaniels, Border Collies and other breeds that are traditionally bred or used for working outside (Huskies, German Shepherds to mention a couple) really don’t need to wear a jumper to help them keep warm. These types of breeds have fur coats that are designed to keep them warm in the colder weather and surprisingly cool in the summer months.
Around the home many dogs will benefit from some or all the following:
- Extra blankets, some of my houseguests are treated to duvets in the cold winter months
- Raised or stacked dog beds or a dog bed with sides to avoid any drafts
- Puppies could benefit from heat mats under their beds to keep them warm whilst they sleep
When the heating does go on, please make sure that any open fires have suitable guards around them to prevent pets from getting burnt as they try to stay warm. The same can apply to radiators.
If you do decide to let your pets wear jumpers make sure they are suitably sized without loose threads or draw cords that could cause harm to your pet if they are not supervise and manage to get it trapped or tangled.
