To say I don’t like cold weather is an understatement. If I never have to shovel snow or put cables on my car again it’ll be too soon. But, no matter how much I’d rather stay inside under my cozy blankets, life doesn’t stop just because it’s cold outside. What helps is being bundled up in my nice warm winter coat when I have to go out. Staying warm is especially important for our little dogs. They have less body fat to insulate against the cold and have less muscle mass to generate heat. Also, small dogs like my Toys lack an undercoat that keep other breeds toasty. If you have a senior small dog, it’s even more important to keep these guys warm. Warm coats for small dogs are essential when it’s cold outside. I’ve put together a short list of best selling warm coats for small dogs based on personal experience, recommendations from family and friends, TONS of research and product reviews. These top favorites are very warm but not necessarily waterproof. If you are looking for waterproof, please read my reviews on Waterproof Small Dog Coats. I know you and your furry family will be happy with any of these choices! (This post contains affiliate links. When you buy via these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you).
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1. Hurtta Expedition Parka
Key Features
- Water repellent shell
- Specifically designed for dogs that need extra warmth
- Adjustable hood/neck gaiter
- Slips over pet’s head and buckles around lower chest
- Full belly coverage
- Leash hole
- Soft knit lining
- Adjustable back length
- Reflective piping
- Elastic leg bands
- Minimum chest girth 10″ and neck girth 8″ and back length 7″
- Jacket weight 7.2 oz (8″)
This Finnish company has a reputation for producing high-quality dog apparel, especially for cold weather. This parka is designed specifically for dogs that need extra warmth in cold weather such as short-haired, no undercoat, or older dogs. This parka has a warm and soft inner lining and multiple points of adjustment for the perfect fit. Great cold weather coverage without restricting the movement of furry outdoor explorer. I also recommend Hurtta Summit Parka Dog Winter Coat, the older but no less amazing version of the Expedition. Their apparel is on the pricey side, but the quality and durability of a Hurtta jacket is hard to beat.
2. Ruffwear Furness Dog Jacket
Key Features
- Water repellent parka/insulated jacket
- Step-in design then fastens with full jacket side zipper
- Full belly coverage
- Leash hole
- Adjustable cinches at neck and belly for snug fit
- Elastic leg straps
- Insulated
- Reflective accents
- Minimum chest girth 13″
- Jacket weight 2.89 oz (XXS)
The Furness is Ruffwear’s warmest, high-coverage jacket keeping your pet toasty in the coldest weather. Several reviewers stated they upgraded from their Powder Hound Jacket for extra warmth in extreme cold, and were happy with their decision. Ruffwear products are pricey but they are durable, well-made and always highly rated.
3. IECOii Small Dog Coat with Harness
Key Features
- Water resistant(ish)
- Slips over pet’s head and fastens at belly with adjustable one-click buckle
- Can be
- Fleece lined
- Collar can be flipped up for extra protection
- Full belly coverage
- Leash hole
- Reflective stripes
- Minimum chest girth 13.8″ and neck girth 12.6″
- Jacket weight 5.9 oz
This coat is really cute, warm, looks comfy and is easy to get on and off. I got a small and it’s pretty big on even my “fluffiest” Poodle (Charlie is 8lbs with chest girth of 14.5″ for reference). The harness is really just the buckle strap around the belly, but I like how it is held in place by belt loops to help keep coat from slipping to one side or the other. The upper body has no adjustable straps or snug fitting material so I really wouldn’t call this a harness at all, just a “small dog coat with harness hole“. The D-ring attachment sown to the top of the coat is nice for attaching your leash quickly but it is not adjustable and the D-rings are pretty thick so some of my leashes with smaller leash clips wouldn’t attach. I took my Poodle on a quick pee in light rain in this. The outer layer was wet, but did not soak through to inner fleece layer, and the coat took a long time to dry after that. In my opinion, this jacket fails as a harness coat, but is great as strictly a warm coat in cold dry weather.
4. Kuoser Warm Dog Coat
Key Features
- Water repellent
- Reversible (but only one side is waterproof)
- Fastens around pet with Velcro closures at neck and belly
- Insulated
- Multiple colors and patterns
- Leash hole
- Lots of belly coverage
- Minimum chest girth 9.4″
- Jacket weight 2.4 oz (XS)
This got really good reviews, with thousands commenting on this jacket, so I thought I’d give it a try. I returned the jacket but not because it’s not waterproof. First of all, it is very cute and feels comfy and warm. I like that I can wrap this around my Poodle rather than trying to stick his head through a tiny neck hole, very easy on/easy off. I don’t have any issues with the Velcro. Some commented that their dog’s hair got stuck in it. Not an issue for my short hair Poodles, but for longer fur this may be an issue. Also, the Velcro pokey side does not come in contact with my Poodle when I reverse it, he remains protected. I ordered the XS, and it fits all 3 Poodles very well (Velcro closures are a little adjustable vs snaps or zippers) but had I gone by Kuoser’s sizing chart, I would have gotten a small (for reference, Fred’s chest girth is 14″) and that would have been too big. Others commented that the jacket was too large so there is a sizing discrepancy. I took Fred out in a moderate rain to pee and walk around the yard. The water beaded off the jacket and did not soak through at all. The problem I have is that even though it’s a snug fit for his core, the jacket comes straight up off his lower back whenever he bends over to sniff something exposing his lower back to the rain and cold. Adding some elastic leg bands would fix this problem. It’s a shame because I really love the waterproof material and warmth this jacket provides.
5. Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket
Key Features
- Water resistant reversible jacket
- Lifetime warranty
- Loosely slips over pet’s head and fastens around belly with Velcro
- Full belly coverage
- Zippered leash hole
- Insulated
- Reflective piping
- Minimum chest girth 15″ and neck girth 14″
- Jacket weight 1.90 oz (XS)
Kurgo is an American-based company specializing in outdoor and travel gear for dogs. Many of their products are higly rated, including this jacket. First off, the description on Amazon states “fleece winter coat”. There is no fleece on this jacket, so if you have your heart set on fleece, look elsewhere. The jacket is very thinly insulated, but kept my Poodle warm in mild temps (around 50 degrees). I would definitely have to layer a fleece under this jacket for anything colder. It has a really nice reinforced zippered leash hole for connecting a harness. The Velcro is a wide strong band that helped keep the lower portion of the jacket fairly close to my Poodle’s back when he would bend over to sniff the ground. I like that the jacket is reversible and it is really cute. I took a chance and bought their smallest size offered (XS) even though my Poodles are only 14″ and 14.5″ chest girth because so many times products run smaller than what is stated in their sizing chart. Well, apparently Kurgo’s sizing chart is spot on because it is just a bit too big, as in just big enough that the underside is right in his pee zone. Probably not an issue for just a bit larger dog. I didn’t have any rain to test this in, but I did run it under water for a few minutes. For the most part the water beaded and ran off. Some water did soak in, but the inside of the coat remained dry. And it air-dried really fast. Overall, a nice jacket but not a standalone cold weather jacket. Kurgo stands behind their products with a lifetime warranty, not something you find from many pet apparel companies.
6. Ruffwear Powder Hound Jacket
Key Features
- Water repellent
- Step-in design then fastens with full body side zipper
- Full belly coverage
- Insulated
- No leash hole
- Reflective trim
- Minimum chest girth 13″
- Jacket weight 3.2 oz (XXS)
The Powder Hound is Ruffwear’s warmest jacket next to the Furness, keeping your pet toasty in the coldest weather. Ruffwear recently updated this formfitting jacket to a hybrid technology. The back and belly are an insulated jacket while the sides and legs are a stretch material allowing your pet full range of motion. The zipper is full body, but for ease Ruffwear suggests you start the zipper then slip over your pet’s head. This jacket is rated for light snow and rain and in more extreme conditions, your pet will get wet. Negative comments tended to center on two issues. Some stated there are sizing discrepancies, while others stated the leg holes are too tight on their dog.
Conclusion
Keeping our small dogs warm is so important. Because of their size, they get colder faster than their larger brothers and many small dog breeds lack a thick undercoat for extra insulation. Outdoor temps we might find perfect may be downright chilly for our little guys. With so many coat choices on the market, how do you know you are picking the right one? My list of warm coats for small dogs has some great options that’ll keep your your furry companions toasty warm in cold temps. Do you have any of these coats listed? If so, what has been your experience with them? Do you have a favorite cold weather jacket your dog loves? I’d love to hear from you.