A dog raincoat keeps a dog dry; a dog jacket keeps a dog warm. Buy a raincoat if your main problem is wet walks in mild weather, a jacket if your main problem is cold, and a lined waterproof coat only if you regularly deal with both at once. Most dogs in a warm, rainy climate need the raincoat; most dogs in a cold, dry one need the jacket. If you can only buy one, buy for the weather you walk in most often.
We live in Pearl City, where it rains sideways for ten minutes and then the sun comes out, so our neighbors' dogs mostly wear raincoats and almost never wear jackets. Our cats, Ai and Dudu, have opinions about neither, but we've fitted enough dog coats for friends to know the difference matters. Here's how to decide.
What does a dog raincoat actually do?
A raincoat is a thin waterproof or water-resistant shell. It has no insulation. Its job is to keep the back, shoulders, and sometimes the belly dry so you're not toweling off a soaked dog after every walk.
- Best for: rainy, mild weather; dogs who hate being wet; dogs whose fur takes forever to dry; keeping mud off the body.
- Not for: warmth. A raincoat on a cold day traps almost no heat, and on a warm day it can make a dog sweat under the fabric.
- Look for: a hood or high collar, a belly panel if your dog is low to the ground, an opening for the leash, and a fabric that packs small. The lightweight waterproof pet raincoat is the kind of thing that lives in a bag by the door and goes on in five seconds.
What does a dog jacket actually do?
A jacket is an insulated or thick-fabric layer. It holds warmth against the body. Some have a water-resistant outer shell, but most are not made to stand in the rain.
- Best for: cold, dry days; small, thin, short-coated, senior, or arthritic dogs who shiver; dogs who spend time standing still outside.
- Not for: heavy rain (most soak through and get heavy), or warm weather.
- Types: a fleece sweater like the fleece pet sweater with button decor is the lightest option and works indoors in an air-conditioned house too. A structured jacket like the embroidered denim pet jacket blocks wind better and looks like clothing. A longer coat like the buckle pet trench coat covers more of the body and gives some protection from light drizzle.
If you're not sure your dog needs a warm layer at all, our post does my dog need a winter coat walks through the signs.
Raincoat vs jacket: how do you choose?
Ask these questions in order:
- What's the weather like on most of your walks? Wet and above 50°F: raincoat. Dry and cold: jacket. Wet and cold: a lined waterproof coat, or a raincoat over a thin sweater.
- Does your dog get cold? Shivering, tucked tail, reluctance to go out, lifting paws. If yes, warmth is the priority. If your dog is a thick-coated breed who's fine in the cold, a raincoat is all you'll ever need.
- Does your dog hate being wet? Some dogs shake off rain and don't care. Some refuse to walk in it. The second kind needs a raincoat regardless of temperature.
- How long are your walks? A ten-minute potty walk in the rain needs a raincoat. A long hike in cold wind needs a jacket. A long hike in cold rain needs both.
- How much will the dog tolerate? A dog new to clothes handles a light raincoat better than a bulky jacket. Start there.
Can you layer a raincoat over a jacket?
Yes, and for a lot of dogs it's the most practical setup. A thin fleece sweater under a loose raincoat covers cold and wet without buying a heavy lined coat. The trick is sizing the raincoat to fit over the sweater, which usually means one size up from what you'd buy for the dog alone. Check that the dog can still move the front legs freely and that nothing bunches at the neck.
Layering also means fewer washes. The sweater stays mostly dry and clean; the raincoat rinses off in the sink.
How do you fit either one?
Fit matters more than type. A coat that slides sideways or rides up the neck gets pulled off in the first block.
- Measure the back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. That's the length.
- Measure the chest at the widest point, just behind the front legs. That's the girth, and it's the measurement that decides whether the coat closes.
- Measure the neck where a collar sits.
- Compare to the size chart, and size for the chest first. If your dog is between sizes, go up for a jacket (you may want a layer under it) and stay true for a raincoat unless you plan to layer.
We wrote a full guide with pictures in how to measure a dog for a raincoat, and the same measurements work for jackets.
FAQ
Is a raincoat or a jacket better for a small dog?
Small dogs lose heat fast and sit low to the ground, so they get both cold and wet more than big dogs. If you can only buy one, a small dog in a mild climate needs a raincoat with belly coverage; in a cold climate, a jacket. Many small-dog owners end up with both.
Do dogs with thick fur need a raincoat?
They don't need it for warmth, but a raincoat keeps a thick coat from soaking through, which can take hours to dry and leads to that wet-dog smell in the house. Whether that's worth it depends on how much you mind drying the dog.
Can a dog wear a jacket in the rain?
A light drizzle, yes. Real rain, no, unless the jacket has a waterproof shell. A wet fleece or denim jacket gets heavy, stays cold, and takes a long time to dry. Put a raincoat over it or leave it at home.
Quick recap
A dog raincoat is for wet, a dog jacket is for cold, and you buy for the weather you walk in most. Measure the chest, back, and neck before ordering, and size up if you plan to layer a raincoat over a sweater. Browse raincoats, jackets, sweaters, and coats in our clothing collection. Orders over $75 ship free.
