FOUR PAWS gives tips on dog coats and light bands in the dark season
Hamburg. The sun sets between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. from November to January. The darkness is accompanied by a damp cold. How do you protect your four-legged companion from the cold and other dangers that lurk in the dark? FOUR PAWS gives tips on dog coats, reflectors and light strips.
Dog owners who dress their dog in a dog coat are often met with questioning looks. For some dog breeds it makes sense if they are protected from the cold with a jacket. “There are small and large dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks, with no undercoat or very short fur. These can cool down quickly in autumn or winter and therefore become ill,” explains qualified biologist Judith Förster, pet expert at FOUR PAWS. A coat can be particularly important for sick dogs (e.g. in osteoarthritis and spondylosis), so that back pain is not increased.
Good seat
When purchasing dog clothing, care should be taken to ensure that the four-legged friend can move easily in it. The coat must fit well. “The best way to adjust the appropriate seat is with a Velcro fastener. As an alternative to Velcro, the click fastener with an adjustable strap length is suitable,” recommends Förster. It is important that the ears and tail are not covered so that communication with other dogs is not restricted.
Stand out
Some dog coats are already equipped with reflectors. This means your four-legged friends will be more visible in traffic in the evening. But what helps when walking in parks or dark sections of street? “Dogs should be as conspicuous as possible in the dark,” says Förster. Subtly glowing collars are suitable for this. However, especially in animals with long hair, the collar can disappear into the thick fur. In this case, luminous collar pendants or vests with integrated lights are also suitable. “It is best not to switch LEDs to flashing mode, as this can irritate the animals,” recommends the pet expert.
leashes
However, good visibility applies not only to the dog, but also to the leash. Here, too, models with reflectors or LEDs should be chosen, because in the dark you should always keep your four-legged friend on a leash to keep him under control. Since there are more wild animals on the move at dusk and in the dark during the dark season, owners of hunting dogs should pay particular attention to securing their animals so that they cannot break away unexpectedly.
Last but not least, dog owners should be clearly visible when walking in the dark in order to minimize the risk of accidents. If everything has been thought of, you can go out without any worries. “Walking in cold darkness requires more attention, but the dog enjoys it just as much as in daylight. Well prepared and with the right equipment, your pet will always be safe on the move,” says Förster with certainty.