Keep your dog warm on cold, wet walks
31 October 2026
Once the clocks go back, walks get colder, wetter and darker, often all three at once. Most dogs still want to go out whatever the weather, so the job is to keep them comfortable while they do. Here's what helps, from what they wear to what happens when you get home.
Start with your dog, not the forecast
Dogs don't all feel the cold the same way. PDSA vets say dogs with fine or thin fur, and dogs that are very young, underweight, old or unwell, feel the cold much faster than other dogs, and small breeds chill quickly. A fit dog with a thick coat that keeps moving may be fine without any extra layer. A small, short-haired or older dog may need one as soon as the temperature drops.
So watch your dog rather than the app on your phone. How they behave on a cold walk tells you more than the number on the screen.
A warm layer for small dogs
For little dogs who feel the cold, a jumper adds warmth on chilly days. Our Cable-Knit Jumper for Small Dogs is a cable knit with a roll neck. It pulls on over the head, with holes for the front legs, and it's made for small dogs from about 1 kg up to about 6 kg, in sizes S to XL.
Two honest notes:
- Measure first. Measure round the widest part of the chest, and along the back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, then check the size chart on the product page. Between sizes, go up one.
- It's a jumper, not a raincoat. It's for cold days rather than heavy rain. If it gets soaked, take it off once you're home and let your dog dry off.
Plan shorter, more frequent walks
On the coldest, wettest days, two shorter walks can suit a cold-sensitive dog better than one long one. Keep moving rather than standing about. A dog that's trotting along stays warmer than one waiting while you chat at the gate.
Drying off matters as much as wrapping up
A wet coat makes a cold dog colder, so the drying-off when you get home is part of keeping them warm. Keep two towels by the door: one for the worst of the wet, one to finish off. Squeeze and pat rather than scrub, especially on long or curly coats, and don't forget legs, paws, tummy and armpits.
Our Large Microfibre Dog Towels (Pack of 2) are 140 × 70 cm each, big enough to wrap round most dogs and thin enough to work into the awkward bits. Our guide on how to dry a wet dog fast has the full routine.
After that, a warm, dry spot away from draughts helps. A washable fleece dog bed gives a small dog somewhere soft to curl up while they finish drying.
Signs your dog is getting too cold
PDSA's advice is that if your dog is shivering or slowing down, bring them home and into the warmth straight away. Don't push on to finish the route.
Once you're home, dry them thoroughly and let them warm up somewhere cosy. If your dog seems unwell, unusually sleepy or doesn't perk up as they warm through, speak to your vet.
Cold walks are often dark walks
From late October, the evening walk usually happens in the dark. Bright and reflective kit for you, and a light or something reflective for your dog, make you both easier for drivers and cyclists to see. Our guide to walking your dog in the dark covers it properly.
Don't bring the cold and the mud into the car
If you drive to your walks, put a towel in the car before you set off, and keep a protector down where your dog rides so the car stays clean and dry for the trip home. See our guide to keeping your car clean after muddy dog walks, and browse our car and travel kit.
A quick cold-walk checklist
- Check your dog: small, thin-coated, young, old or unwell dogs need more care in the cold.
- Add a warm layer if they need one, sized from a proper measurement.
- Keep walks shorter and keep moving on the coldest days.
- Have two towels ready at the door, and dry them thoroughly when you get in.
- Head home straight away if they're shivering or slowing down.
Delivery
Everything is sent from UK stock by tracked courier (usually Evri or Royal Mail) to England, Scotland and Wales. Delivery is £3.99, or free when your basket comes to over £40. We aim to send orders within 1–2 working days, and most arrive within 3–7 working days of ordering. The full details are on our delivery page.
You'll find towels, leads and other everyday kit in walk essentials.
