While walking your dog in the rain is hardly ever fun, there’s one thing that can save you both from rainy-day misery: a dog raincoat.
We went to pet experts to get tips on choosing one, and aside from the obvious fact that the coat should be made of water-repellent material, they offered a few other general guidelines. “Ensure the jacket fits snugly, but not too tight,” says Sarah-Anne Reed, a holistic dog trainer who consults for Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and mom to an English bulldog named Tootsie. “Make sure it doesn’t restrict movement, especially under the dog’s legs.”
A good dog raincoat should also easily accommodate a harness and leash. “To avoid the coat rotating during the walk or interfering with the leash, either look for a hole to connect to a back harness or choose a harness/raincoat combo with a chest attachment location,” says Chris Menges, a veterinarian in Austin, Texas. Leg loops also do the trick for keeping a dog raincoat in place.
Khai Marshall, a service dog handler, dog show and sport competitor — and owner of Argos, an AKC Grand Champion Smooth Collie — uses raincoats to preserve show grooming and avoid extra baths in bad weather. “Body coverage is the most important factor for a raincoat,” she says. “The full back and body coverage is most important. I can easily towel [my dog’s] paws off if needed, but after meticulously drying and fluffing him, it’s great to have a full-coverage coat.”
Marshall recommends choosing a coat that aligns with your dog’s measurements and consider the weight the coat is. “In summer you may want to make sure it’s a light jacket instead of an insulated raincoat,” she says. She also cautions pet parents to think about how easy a coat is to get on and off, and if their pet might benefit from training or desensitization before using one.
Dog raincoats with hoods
“Consider your furry friend’s ears,” urges Lyssa Le, a safety specialist at the dog-walking company Wag. “If your pup is anything like mine, they hate water getting into their ears! That’s where a hood can help.”
The only exceptions, she adds, might be dogs with pointy ears that stand straight up, such as Chihuahuas, Australian cattle dogs and basenjis. Hoods will fall off dogs with prick ears, so Le recommends an ear wrap, or snood, in these cases.
The mesh interior of the Wilderdog Rain Jacket keeps dogs with thicker coats cool and stays breathable, even in soggy conditions. It’s also easy to pack and take on the go, since the whole jacket packs into its rear pocket (which can be used to hold treats or poop bags while your dog is wearing it).?
The yellow version of this Canada Pooch jacket gives quintessential “Coraline” vibes, and it’s useful too. The outer is made of a rubbery waterproof material and comes complete with a little hood to keep your dog’s head dry. It’s a bit harder to put on in comparison to some of the other options since you need to put your dog’s paws into the arm holes and then fasten the middle with Velcro, but this design allows for high-chest and belly coverage. This makes it particularly helpful for avoiding dreaded chest snowballs on coated dogs when trekking through snow. Be careful if you have a boy dog, though: If this jacket is too loose, boy dogs may pee inside it, so make sure you measure accurately before buying.
Dog raincoats for large breeds
Not all dogs like water, even if they’re a large breed. Puppies, seniors, big dogs with thin coats and pups with low body fat will appreciate the extra layer between them and the elements, Reed says.
“I use this almost exclusively, and it has the best coverage,” Marshall says. “[It’s] not too hot for summer, stays put and is fast drying.” The Hurtta Monsoon Coat features a neck closure for complete waterproofness, a harness opening and a drawstring that allows you to adjust the back length. The middle belt is also adjustable, and there are foot loops to pass your dog’s legs through so the coat always stays in place.
Hurtta’s Monsoon Coats became so popular that the brand decided to make an eco-friendly version. The Monsoon Coat Eco features 100% recycled material in the lining and belt, making your purchase a little bit better for the Earth. It also sports a ton of reflective trim, so you’ll be able to see your pooch during rainy nighttime walks. We love the high collars of Hurtta’s rainwear: Not only are they cute but they keep water from dripping down your dog’s neck into their fur.
The Non-Stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat comes in a ton of sizes, from 9 inches in length up to 38 inches. Because the size range is so wide, this coat tends to fit dogs who are longer than they are tall (like Corgis) well while still offering full-body coverage. Like Non-Stop Dogwear harnesses, the brand’s jackets allow for unrestricted movement, perfect for hiking, running and adventuring — no matter the weather.
An excellent option for summer rain storms, the Mudventure Eco Raincoat is unlined and extremely lightweight, which keeps your pup from overheating. It has more extended coverage over your dogs’ hips and thighs than other raincoats we tested, which comes in handy during heavy rain. It’s also adjustable at four different points for a custom fit that doesn’t let any water in.
Reed points to Ruffwear as a brand known for high quality and durability, and the Sun Shower coat is no exception. This lightweight dog raincoat is super packable and can be used on its own for warm-weather rainstorms or layered with a sweater underneath for chilly temperatures. The Sun Shower also features a storm collar that keeps water from dripping down your dog’s neck, reflective trim and leg loops to keep the jacket in place while adventuring.?
Though technically intended for drying your dog off post-rainy adventure, the Ruffwear Dirtbag towel can easily be used as a raincoat in a pinch too. “This has a terry cloth lining that helps insulate, but also the top layer is waterproof,” Marshall says. “I like the body coverage, and it’s my go-to in a pinch when I don’t have my Hurtta.”
For cold and wet weather, opt for a dog coat that’s insulated and waterproof, like Ruffwear’s Vert jacket. This is the ideal jacket for slush, snow, cold rain and everything in between. In comparison to other winter coats for dogs, the Vert jacket features more coverage over your dog’s rear end, keeping them warmer and drier. The leg loops are particularly helpful for keeping the jacket in place, even during intense play sessions.
Double-coated and long-coated dog owners know the pain of having to bathe their dog immediately after a wet, muddy walk. The Hurtta Mudventure Eco Overalls offer maximum coverage on the belly and all four legs, so you don’t have to run straight to the groomer after going out in a storm. Personally, I love an overall-style raincoat for my densely coated Rough Collie, whose “feathers” on the bottom half of her legs are constantly getting gross and tangled in wet weather. It’s also a great option for avoiding snowballs on long-coated dogs when it’s snowy out.?
Dog raincoats for small breeds
“The smaller breed dogs, especially Chihuahuas and Maltese, do not seem to like going to the bathroom in the rain,” Menges says. “They may be happier to do their business with a raincoat.”
Given how close to the ground toy breeds are, their undersides can get soaked on a rainy day. “Ensure that the belly area is covered well but not totally if you have a male dog; otherwise he may wind up peeing on the base of the jacket,” says Tennille Teague, founder of pet lifestyle brand Just Fred and mom to senior dogs Mo and Rizzo.
“Longer dogs, such as dachshunds and corgis, do better with longer torso raincoats,” Teague says. “They also tend to like sleeveless options better, as they are so close to the ground.” This water-repellent raincoat is designed with long dogs in mind, so their full back stays dry even when splashing around in puddles.
Ideal for head-shy dogs, this clear raincoat can just be tossed over the back and fastened in the front and around the belly for a secure fit. The vinyl material is easy to wipe or rinse off in case of a muddy walk, and though it doesn’t offer a ton of belly and chest coverage, the hood stays on and will keep your pup’s head dry. This is a great option for small, short dogs since the sleeveless design won’t drag on the ground, just note that the sizing on this coat is for total body length (not shoulder to the base of the tail like most other dog coats).
If you have a small pup that’s completely water-averse, a full-body suit is the way to go. This Canada Pooch option is available as small as 7 inches of back length, making it a solid option for small breeds. The front and back sleeves will keep your dog’s legs dry, and the full-belly coverage is ideal for low-rider dogs that tend to pick up water and mud while walking. Even though this is a full-coverage suit, the back opening still allows your dog to potty without making a mess.
