| Does your dog or cat really need to wear a | | | | may be unnecessary. |
| sweater? Well, perhaps. Providing your pooch or kitty | | | | Many dogs with very short hair can also benefit from |
| with a winter sweater may be just what the doctor | | | | the extra warmth of a sweater. Chihuahuas, |
| ordered. | | | | miniature pinschers, and Italian greyhounds are |
| Many older dogs and cats, just like older people, have | | | | examples from the toy-breed group of dogs that |
| poor circulation and difficulty maintaining their body | | | | routinely wear sweaters. It's not only small dogs who |
| temperature. A sweater may be needed to keep | | | | need sweaters, but also other breeds including |
| them comfortable, even in a heated home. Arthritic | | | | greyhounds and whippets. Larger dogs with short hair |
| dogs or cats, regardless of age, can have limited | | | | and slender builds are typically good candidates for |
| mobility that leads to inactivity. With insufficient | | | | needing a little more insulation in cold weather. In |
| exercise, they can lose body heat and their arthritic | | | | addition to purebred dogs, there are many |
| pain escalates. Simply wearing a sweater will help trap | | | | mixed-breed dogs whose need for sweaters is just |
| their body heat and ease some of their discomfort. | | | | as important. |
| Similarly, many handicapped dogs and cats experience | | | | Anomalies of the dog world like the Chinese crested |
| challenges to their mobility resulting in their inability to | | | | and the Peruvian Inca orchid are hairless dogs and |
| exercise adequately. Care must be given to find a | | | | the Sphynx cat is their hairless feline counterpart. |
| well-fitting sweater that accommodates different | | | | With no body hair to insulate them, these dog and |
| handicaps. Crippled dogs and cats who spend much or | | | | cat breeds certainly need the added warmth of a |
| all of their time lying down can develop sore spots | | | | sweater. Yorkshire terriers, Maltese, silky terriers, and |
| from sweaters that have underbelly fasteners. A | | | | shih tzus are dogs that have hair, not fur. They lack |
| smooth, flat bellyband that goes underneath the | | | | the undercoat of other dogs, which acts as an |
| body and fastens at the back will be their most | | | | insulating layer. Even when their hair is long, it does |
| comfortable option. Amputees will need sweaters | | | | not always provide sufficient warmth because of the |
| that stay secure without slipping and restricting their | | | | absence of a fur undercoat. |
| movement. | | | | At first glance, dogs and cats wearing sweaters may |
| Convalescent and postoperative dogs and cats may | | | | appear excessively prissy. There are, however, valid |
| "kick the covers off", so to speak, while they are | | | | reasons that support this choice as a sensible, caring |
| resting. Without a blanket covering them, they may | | | | gesture. Gone are the days when apparel for dogs or |
| get chilled which can slow the healing process. | | | | cats was reserved only for pampered pooches or |
| However, if they are wearing a sweater, it's like | | | | chichi cats whose owners wished to make fashion |
| wrapping a blanket around them that stays in place | | | | statements. Not just for looks any more, dog and |
| and provides the constant warmth they need. Once | | | | cat sweaters serve a useful purpose and may |
| they are restored to full health, wearing a sweater | | | | actually be just what the doctor ordered. |