Winter Essentials for Your Dog
Last Winter was our first real experience with cold weather as a family. Coming from Texas, we realized we were not prepared at all for the harsh German Winter. As a service dog handler, Jasper travels with me everywhere and needs to be equally prepared for the weather. After some trial and error last year, we finally narrowed down a list of our favorite Winter items for dogs.
Zoo Snoods
Zoo Snoods makes our favorite animal themed snoods. They are perfect for keeping Jasper’s ears toasty in the Winter and I especially love that they double as a cute costume. The reindeer snood pictured above is my personal favorite for the howl-idays!
Need assistance with sizing? Jasper has a 16-17″ neck and wears a Medium snood (Large also fits, but is a bit looser). His head size closely resembles a Vizsla, German Shorthair Pointer or Catahoula.
Code: JASPER15 give you 15% off your order.
Click here to shop Zoo Snoods.
PS- They have a baby Yoda! I repeat, they have a BABY YODA!
Hurtta Extreme Warmer
I was on the hunt for a waterproof, but warm jacket for Jasper and this particular jacket was my favorite on the market. We have had it for a few months now and it has been great for cold and rainy days in Germany. One of my favorite features is the built in ear snood (the grey part on Jasper’s neck). I love this for keeping his floppy ears warm on windy or cold days. Another great feature I love is that just about everything on the jacket is adjustable. The snood, collar, waist and length are all incredibly easy to adjusted. Not to mention, the inside has a unique foil lining that reflects heat back to your dog for added warmth.
If you need help deciding a size (I totally relate with Jasper’s giant chest), I would recommend ordering your exact measurements. Jasper is wearing the 24″ jacket in the photos above (we sized up), but the 22″ would have been a great fit for him. Trying to pick a color? We chose the orange because of how bright it is. The vibrant color aids in visibility during the snow and rain (as well as in the evenings).
Hurtta Body Warmer
Image courtesy of: @the_little_dog_crew 
Image courtesy of: @hilmadventures
I do not personally own this item, but I have many friends who RAVE about it. The warmer has a snood built in (similar to the Hurtta Extreme Warmer) and it has multiple adjustable areas on the jacket to achieve the best fit for your dog. I plan to eventually purchase one as an additional layer of warmth underneath Jasper’s rain coat.
Dog Booties
Image courtesy of: @herlifein4paws
Did you know the salt used to melt snow during the wintertime can burn your dog’s paws? Not only can the salt cause burns, but it is also absorbs through their paws as they walk! For this reason, I always recommend booties during the Winter time.
Ruffwear Grip Trex is what we personally use. These bootie are versatile and Jasper has worn them for all sorts of terrain. The soles are made of Vibram rubber that has held up for us over two years (and still going strong). I personally am not a fan of the Ruffwear socks as they fall down on Jasper, but toddler socks work great! Tip: Make sure to measure the front and back paws as they are normally two different sizes (order in sets of two instead of sets of four).
Muttluks are another great option that I have had friends recommend. Personally, I like that the top of these booties go a bit higher up than the Ruffwear brand. They also offer a lot of size options (wonderful for larger breeds, such as Great Danes). Remember: Measure front and back paws separately.
Mudbuster
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite items, the Mudbuster! This product is the best portable paw cleaner! Why would you need this during the Winter though? Caked on snow and muddy paws are my worst nightmare since moving to Germany (where it is wet, muddy and cold all Winter). I can assure you, it will save you so much time washing your pup’s messy paws before they jump in the car or enter the home. All you do is add a little water (plus soap if you’re feeling fancy), place your dog’s foot inside the cup and gently twist the cup to remove the debris.
We use the Medium size for Jasper (his rear paws measure 2.5′ and his front paws measure 3″)
Paw & Snout Balm
Natural Dog Company makes my favorite balms. My recommendation is to purchase the 5 pack of minis to trial each item. Personally, my favorite items of the collection are the skin and snout soother.
Click here to shop: 5 Pack Mini Sticks
Click here to shop: Skin Soother
Click here to shop: Snout Soother
Musher’s Secret is a very popular paw balm in the hiking dog community. To prevent dry or cracked paws from the harsh winter weather, I like to use this brand’s balm on Jasper’s paw pads.
K9 Sport Sack
Image courtesy of: @iamlilcharlie
This is a recommendation specific to small breed owners. A doggy backpack is perfect for winter hikes or daily excursions. When out in the cold for extended periods of time, carrying your pup in a doggy backpack can ensure their feet stay nice and toasty (if they do not have or are taking a break from their booties). My personal favorite is the K9 Sport Sack. Their size range is great and accommodates to a variety of breeds (Corgis, French Bulldogs, Dachshunds etc).
Holiday Pajamas
Our favorites are from Target (seriously, we buy new ones every year). Jasper fits size Medium through XL, but the best size for his large chest is the Large (pictured above). They are great for family pictures and staying cozy during the howl-idays.
LightHound Vest
We constantly get questions from fellow runners as well as service dog teams about our light up dog vest. This vest is a game changer for nighttime and early morning visibility. We use it at theme parks like Disney and on our daily walks/runs during the Winter time (as it gets dark in Germany around 4:30 p.m. in the Winter). I cannot recommend this vest enough and can honestly say it is one of my MUST have items.
You can also purchase a matching vest for humans (we have two and love them).
Rex Specs
We originally purchased these dog goggles to avoid sun damage to Jasper’s sensitive blue eyes. We have found, however, that they are also great for protecting his eyes from twigs, kids fingers and so much more. We have tried the other popular dog brands for eye protection and prefer this brand greatly. Other brands do not create a great seal and often slide off or into his eyes. I highly recommend Rex Specs for service dog teams, therapy dogs and adventurous pups.
Scarfs and Bows
I felt these items should be noted for the pet parents (like myself) who love to dress their dog for every season.
Scarfs are my favorite Winter wear for Jazzy. The one pictured above is from Sunflower Paws Co. on Etsy. Their shop is currently closed, but another of my favorite shops for scarfs is Patchwork Paws Co.
Bowties & Sailor Bows are hands down our go to accessory for Jasper. They show up great in pictures and the locals in Germany LOVE seeing Jazz in his bows. I usually throw a couple different bows in my bag before heading out and if I see a photo spot, I quickly clip one onto Jasper’s collar for a picture. Almost all of our bows are from Pawties. You can save 10% on your order with code JASPER10.
Heated Blanket
We finally caved and purchased our first ever heated blanket. I don’t think I can ever go back to regular blankets in the Winter again! We have this in plaid and plain red. If you live in Germany or somewhere that it snows, you need this blanket in your life.
Dog Heating Pad
I actually had this heating pad recommended to me by a friend for cramps. I though it was funny that she recommended a dog heating pad, but it is honestly the best heating pad I own. Jasper, of course, loves to sneak onto it for a nice warm snooze on the couch.
Dog First Aid Kit
This isn’t a Winter specific suggestion, but it is something I recommend to all pet owners for year round. As an Emergency Room Nurse, I always have an emergency kit set up for all seasons. I have one that stays in my car, a mini one for my bag and one inside of our home. I have my kits set up to accommodate emergencies for both humans and dogs. Making a kit from scratch can be time consuming. To make it easy, try a ready made first aid kit. Linked below is my favorite emergency kit for dogs.
The same brand makes a cheaper option, but it does have less supplies. It is, however, still a great kit to keep on hand.
Do you have any of these products? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments down below!
