Vet settles debate on whether dogs should wear coats during cold winter walks
A vet has taken to social media to explain whether your beloved pooch needs to wear a coat in the colder months.
When it comes to the colder months of the year, there has been much debate on whether our favourite four-legged friends need to be wearing a coat while out on a walk. Thankfully, a vet has taken to social media to settle the score.
Over the last few weeks the weather has taken a chillier and wetter turn, with the UK being battered by storms and unpredictable bouts of rain.
And with the temperature only set to get colder, many of us are choosing to stay indoors as much as possible. However, just because the weather is becoming bleak, this doesn't mean our beloved dogs no longer need to go out on walks for some daily exercise.
In order to brace ourselves against the cold while on these walks, many pet owners will bundle up in a few layers for some added warmth.
While this seems like a subconscious action for ourselves, many are unsure if they should do the same to their canine companions.
Thankfully, a vet has taken to social media to give pet owners their expert advice when it comes to going out on winter walks, reports the Mirror.
On TikTok, a vet named Maria asked the question: "Putting a coat on your dog... is it humanising them? Do they really need it?"
Well it turns out there isn't a straightforward answer. Maria explained: "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 help better explain her insight, the Spanish vet discussed a variety of different dog breeds. To start, she stated: "Nordic dogs, like a Husky, don't need a coat."
This is due to these large dogs having fur that is naturally able to endure more extreme climates, meaning a stroll without an extra coat won't do them any harm.
This advice is the same for other breeds, as 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."
On the flip side however, there are other breeds of dog that are not accustomed to chilly temperatures and may require extra warmth, whether that be from a fleece or a coat.
Maria explained: "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."
To make the best assessment, the vet advises pet owners to keep a close eye on their canine's behaviour. If they are visibly seen to be shivering or look cold, it may be time to try a coat.
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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."
Many viewers of the TikTok video left comments about their personal experiences with giving their dogs a warm coat to wear, with one recalling their other dog becoming jealous.
One TikTok user said: "If I don't shelter and cover my greyhound, I won't sleep because he cries at me. He's a drama queen!"
With another adding: "I put a coat on my Yorkshire terrier and then had to put another on my Pitbull because the boy was jealous."
A third person also noted: "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."