Not every dog needs a raincoat. Plenty of dogs walk through a wet Scottish winter in nothing but their own fur and come home perfectly happy. Others start shivering ten minutes in, or come back so soaked and muddy underneath that the rest of the evening goes on towels.
In Edinburgh, the question comes up a lot. The Met Office's 1991–2020 averages for the Royal Botanic Garden station show around 128 days a year with at least 1 mm of rain, and about 68 of those fall between October and March: more than one day in three. So here's our honest answer to "does my dog need a raincoat?": which dogs really benefit, which usually don't, and what to look for if yours does.
The short answer
A raincoat is worth it if your dog feels the cold when wet, gets soaked and muddy underneath, or takes hours to dry. That usually means thin or short coats, small dogs, short legs, puppies and older dogs. A fit, healthy dog with a thick double coat usually doesn't need one, and will often be happier without.
Fur is the first layer. A raincoat is for the dogs whose fur isn't enough on a wet day.
Dogs that usually benefit from a raincoat
Thin, short or single coats
Greyhounds, whippets, lurchers, salukis, boxers, Staffies and Dalmatians don't have a dense undercoat, so rain gets through to the skin quickly. Once fur is wet, it holds much less warm air against the body. The PDSA names greyhounds and whippets among the dogs that can benefit from a coat. Sighthounds also carry very little body fat, so a wet, windy walk chills them faster than you might expect.
Small and toy dogs
Chihuahuas, small terriers and other little dogs have more skin for their size and lose heat quickly. They're also closer to the spray coming off wet pavements and puddles.
Short legs and low bodies
Dachshunds, corgis, Scottish terriers and basset hounds sit close to the ground, so their chest and belly take whatever is on the path: puddles, road spray, wet grass and mud. For these dogs, a raincoat is less about the rain from above and more about the water from below, so look for one that covers the chest and underside.
Puppies, older dogs and dogs with health conditions
Young puppies, older dogs, underweight dogs and dogs with conditions such as arthritis tend to cope less well with cold, wet weather. Keep their walks shorter on bad days as well. If you're unsure, ask your vet.
Long or fluffy coats that take hours to dry
Spaniels, setters, doodles and other dogs with long or curly coats may not feel the cold at all. But their fur soaks up water and mud, and drying them can take the rest of the evening. A raincoat won't keep their legs or head dry, but it keeps the back, chest and belly clean, which is most of the towelling.
Dogs that usually don't need one
Labradors, golden retrievers, German shepherds, huskies, malamutes and other breeds with a thick double coat are well equipped for wet weather. Their dense undercoat keeps them warm even when the top layer is wet. If they're fit, healthy and moving, a raincoat usually isn't necessary. For a dog that is going to swim in the sea or a loch anyway, it's pointless.
There are still reasons some owners use one: being seen on dark evenings (a reflective coat helps, see our guide to walking your dog in the dark), an older double-coated dog who has started to feel the cold, or simply a cleaner car after a muddy walk.
Is it OK to walk your dog in the rain?
Yes. Most dogs still need their walk in wet weather, and many don't mind rain at all. On cold, wet and windy days, keep walks shorter for dogs who feel the weather, keep moving rather than standing around, and dry your dog properly when you get home.
Signs your dog is cold or uncomfortable in the rain
- Shivering
- Slowing down, or trying to turn for home
- A hunched back or tucked tail
- Lifting paws or stopping often
- Refusing to go out, or holding on rather than toileting in the rain
If you notice shivering or slowing down, the PDSA's advice is to head home and get your dog somewhere warm straight away. If it happens on most wet walks, a coat is worth trying.
Raincoat or winter coat?
They do different jobs, and the difference matters if your dog feels the cold.
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Raincoat | A light waterproof shell that keeps rain, spray and mud off. Little added warmth | Mild wet days, which is most of a British autumn and winter |
| Padded or fleece coat | Adds insulation; may or may not be waterproof | Cold, dry days and dogs who feel the cold even when dry |
| Both together | A warm layer underneath, a waterproof shell on top | Thin-coated dogs on cold, wet, windy days |
There's no single temperature at which a dog needs a coat, because wind and rain make a big difference. Hill's Pet Nutrition suggests around 5°C or below as a rough point to dress dogs that feel the cold.
What to look for in a dog raincoat
- Actually waterproof: "water-resistant" keeps a dog dry only in light rain. Look for a waterproof membrane with a stated rating.
- Chest and underside coverage: especially for short-legged and low-slung dogs.
- Legs left free: your dog should be able to run, jump, sit and toilet normally.
- An adjustable fit: measure your dog's back length, chest and neck, and compare all three with the size chart.
- Harness access: an opening that lets you clip the lead to a harness underneath.
- Reflective material: wet walks and dark walks are often the same walk from October to March.
- Easy on and off: buckles you can manage with cold, wet hands.
Getting your dog used to a raincoat
Most dogs accept a coat quickly if the first few times are short and positive. Put it on indoors for a minute or two, with treats, then take it off. Build up to fastening everything, then a short walk. Some dogs settle in a day; others take a week or two.
Biting, scratching or rubbing at the coat usually means it doesn't fit well or something is rubbing. Check the straps and the neck, and use the size chart again. Take the coat off when you get home: most dogs don't need one indoors and can overheat.
After a wet walk
- Towel your dog, especially the belly, armpits and paws.
- Check where the harness sits for any rubbing.
- Rinse or wipe paws after salted or gritted pavements, which can irritate pads.
- Hang the raincoat up to dry fully before you pack it away.
How we designed ours
We designed RILLWAG raincoats in Edinburgh for exactly these walks. Each one has a 10,000 mm waterproof membrane under a water-repellent outer, covers the back, chest and underside, and leaves the legs free to move. Five adjustment points fine-tune the fit, a waterproof zip lets the lead reach a harness underneath, the shell is fully reflective for dark evenings, and the whole coat packs into its own pocket.
It's a lightweight raincoat with a mesh lining, not a padded winter coat. For thin-coated dogs on the coldest days, add a warm layer underneath. Our first raincoats land soon: see the three colours and join the list for 15% off your first order. The Fit Guide shows how to measure your dog and choose a size.
Dog raincoats: questions we get asked
Do dogs need raincoats?
Some do and many don't. Thin-coated, small, short-legged, young and older dogs benefit most. Fit, healthy dogs with a thick double coat usually don't need one.
Do Labradors need a raincoat?
Usually not. Labradors have a dense, water-resistant double coat. An older Labrador who feels the cold, or one that needs to be seen on dark evenings, may still benefit.
Do greyhounds and whippets need a coat in the rain?
Often, yes. They have thin coats, no dense undercoat and little body fat, so they chill quickly in cold, wet weather. On cold days, a waterproof shell over a warm layer works well.
Should my dog wear a coat indoors?
Generally no. Most dogs can overheat in a heated home, so take the coat off when you get in, especially if it's wet.
Is a water-resistant coat good enough?
For a short walk in light drizzle, it may be. In steady rain, water-resistant fabric soaks through. A waterproof membrane keeps your dog dry for the whole walk.