Unless you have a dog who has been trained to use the restroom like a human, there’s a pretty good chance your dog will need to go to the bathroom in the rain at some point. Having a dog means dealing with the wet dog consequences of those rainy potty trips. It means paw prints and having to wipe his feet for him (or even using a dog hair dryer) and a wet dog smell. But what if it didn’t have to? At least some of those negative consequences can be avoided by purchasing your dog a raincoat designed for him. If you’ve never thought about what you want in a raincoat for your dog, let us take the guess work out of it for you. (Looking for a coat to keep your pup warm in the cold winter months? Check out our list of the best dog winter coats.)
We reviewed dozens of dog raincoats to identify the best of the best. We looked at raincoats with hoods and without; raincoats that double as winter coats and ponchos that are easy to take off and put on. No matter what type of dog you have, there’s a raincoat for him or her and there’s a good chance we have the best one for your specific needs on our list.
Early in our research, we determined that the Weatherbeeta Reflective Deluxe Parka is the top pick of dog raincoats. With the reflective belt, you won’t need to worry about losing him in the dark and the waterproof design will keep him dry through your whole walk.
The 5 Top-Rated Dog Raincoats
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Weatherbeeta Reflective Deluxe Parka | 4.6 |
| Runner-Up | DJANGO Puffer Reversible Dog Coat | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Buy | HDE Dog Raincoat | 4.5 |
| Best Raincoat for Small Dogs | Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest for Small Dogs | 4.6 |
| Best Raincoat for Large Dogs | RUFFWEAR – Overcoat, Abrasion-Resistant Insulated Jacket for Dogs | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Weatherbeeta Reflective Deluxe Parka
The Weatherbeeta Reflective Deluxe Parka is a sensationally waterproof raincoat with a 300D exterior and a 210T nylon lining. The thinner lining will be lightweight and breathable enough for your pup so as to prevent overheating but the poly-fill between the interior and exterior layers will add a lot of warmth, making sure that even if your dog’s paws get wet, his chest will still stay warm.
The parka is secured in place by two Velcro straps that wrap around your dog’s waist and allow you to put it on by slipping over his head and securing the Velcro. No wrestling with your pup to get this one on. The opening along the back provided for the leash is large enough that you’ll be able to easily attach the least to the collar or harness, depending entirely on your preference. And if your pup is going out without a leash (in your backyard, for example), then you’ll appreciate the opening on the neck for his collar.
This parka raincoat for your dog has over 150 customer reviews on Amazon and has earned it’s rating of 4.6 stars. And should you be concerned with sizing, the customer reviews feature pictures and more specific size charts.
Weatherbeeta Reflective Deluxe Parka Key Features:
- Reflective strips along parka
- 2 color choices (orange has Velcro and yellow has elastic hook closures)
- 10 size options
Our Runner-Up Pick: DJANGO Puffer Reversible Dog Coat
The DJANGO Puffer Reversible Dog Coat offers protection for your dog from both wind and rain. It’s also thick with stuffing and lined with flannel so he’ll be sure to stay warm while wearing this raincoat, too. The flannel is even such high quality that it can be worn on the exterior, making this a reversible jacket. Of course, flannel isn’t water proof (or even resistant) so when your dog is flashing his adorable flannel side, he’s not going to be well-suited for rainfall.
The coat goes on just like a coat we would wear; arms in the holes and zipped up the chest. This set up will require you’re a bit careful with catching skin or fur in the zipper, and zipping up the underside of your dog may not be easy, but it beats wrestling him to squeeze him into a tight-fitting pull over. It has a high neck that remains open to allow for his collar, and it has a leash hole on the back that will likely fit a harness hook (depending on the harness).
This sweater hasn’t accumulated a huge number of customer reviews on Amazon yet, but those it has are glowing and have awarded it an overall rating of 4.8 stars.
DJANGO Puffer Reversible Dog Coat Key Features:
- 4 size options
- Reversible, water resistant or flannel
- 3 color choices
Best Budget Pick: HDE Dog Raincoat
Yes, you’re reading that price correctly: the HDE Dog Raincoat will only set you back $18! This raincoat may not be as fancy or feature-packed as the other options we’ve highlighted, but it’s an absolute steal for the price. Made from 100% polyester, it features a waterproof coating to keep your dog dry. It’s designed to be both easy to put on your pooch and pack away.
Did we mention it conveniently comes in four different sizes, as well as a variety of adorable designs? In addition to the rubber duckie design pictured here, you can choose from a nautical design, plaid, camo, and various colors (to name a few options). Another great feature is the reflective strip along its back.
This jacket has nearly 7000 reviews, most of which sing the praises of this budget buy. It also has a high 4.5 rating, so you can buy it with confidence.
HDE Dog Raincoat Key Features:
- Hooded
- Variety of designs to chose from
- 4 sizes available
Best Raincoat for Small Dogs Pick: Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest for Small Dogs with Safe Fur Guard Zipper Closure
The Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest for Small Dogs with Safe Fur Guard Zipper Closure has a water resistant nylon cover with a padded warm lining that will be perfect for colder walks in the rain. The zipper is placed along the back of your dog and will therefore be much easier for you to see and less likely for you to catch fur or skin while putting this sweater on.
The neck of this jacket is a lower cut design to allow room for your dog’s collar and leash but you’ll also have use of the two metal hooks that are placed along this sweater’s back, converting the jacket into a harness. The hooks are placed on either side of the zipper and are reinforced to add to their durability.
With over 800 customer review on Amazon, this raincoat has an overall rating of 4.6 stars. That alone should make you take a hard look at this raincoat, but reading some of those reviews will go even further to convince you.
Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest for Small Dogs Key Features:
- 5 size choices
- Machine washable
- 9 color options
Best Raincoat for Large Dogs Pick: RUFFWEAR – Overcoat, Abrasion-Resistant Insulated Jacket for Dogs
RUFFWEAR – Overcoat, Abrasion-Resistant Insulated Jacket for Dogs has an exterior that’s made of a strong and recycled polyester fabric that’s meant to keep your pup dry. It’s lined with a warm fleece so that not only will he be dry, he’ll also be warm. The exterior fabric is also abrasion resistant so no matter how hard your dog is on clothing, it won’t tear.
The reflective strips go down the length of the raincoat on either side, which is optimal placing for most efficient viewing of those shiny stripes. There’s a leash hole that is protected and reinforced, unlike some leash slits that appear to be simply cut an afterthought. It is secured around your dog’s waist via a metal latch that is also protected and hidden so as to prevent rain leaking in or irritated skin from the buckle rubbing your pup’s skin.
This raincoat has right around 150 customer reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.5 stars. And with all the options you have in picking size and color, it’s hard to see a reason not to pick one of these raincoats up for your big dog.
RUFFWEAR – Overcoat, Abrasion-Resistant Insulated Jacket for Dogs Key Features:
- 8 size options
- Abrasion resistant, recycled polyester and fleece construction
- 6 color choices
Who Should Buy a Dog Raincoat
Dogs will need raincoats for the same reason you do; if they’re going to be in the rain for any amount of time. If your dog is dependent on walks to vacate his bladder, then he will very likely need a rain coat. That means dogs living in apartments or townhouses, specifically. For dogs that have their own back yard, especially one that has a cover, they may not necessarily need a raincoat, but for pretty much every other dog, it’s worth a look. Even for dogs with their own yard, you may want to get a raincoat because backyards won’t give the kind of exercise a walk provides and if you rely on walks to get out his pent-up energy before leaving for a bit, the walk still has to happen, regardless of the rain.
Your primary concern for your pup in getting him a raincoat is probably his comfort. If it isn’t comfortable for you to walk around in the rain, then it’s probably not comfortable for your dog. And for instances when you’re taking your dog for walks in the rain when it’s a bit chilly, this discomfort is only made worse by the constant rain. Besides your dog’s comfort though, when you bring your dog back into your home, you’ll be dealing with a wet dog and all the mess and smell that comes with it. To make your own life a bit more comfortable, a raincoat is incredibly helpful. Unless you want to give him a bath and blow him dry after every walk, that is.
Important Features to Consider
A dog raincoat should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a dog raincoat for your dog:
- Weather. Obviously if you’re shopping for a raincoat, then you’re preparing for inclement weather. But you may not have considered that getting your dog this coat could, theoretically, kill two birds with one stone. If it’s a coat that is lined and insulated, then this can also be his winter coat. Conversely, if the rainy season where you live is during those hot months, extra linings are probably a bad idea.
- Sleeves. If you’re trying to avoid the wet dog smell, the more of him you cover the better; in a downpour, especially. Plus, if your dog gets wet, then he’s more likely to get cold and sleeves can go a long way in helping prevent that. Keep in mind, though the sleeves will be another step in getting him ready to go outside and we can’t deny that if your pup hates “getting dressed” then this won’t be a fun step.
- Hoods. You may need to know your dog a bit before you make the judgement call on whether or not you need a hood for your pup. Of course, it will help your dog keep his head dry, but it will be absolutely useless if he won’t keep the hood up. You can find hoods that will tighten to make it more difficult for your dog to remove them or you can train him to accept the hood. You may also find that foregoing the hood is the way to a happier dog and happier you.
- Fasteners. There are a few ways to secure the raincoat to your dog. The most common in a belly strap that will Velcro together and keep the coat in place that way. There are others; zippers or bungees. There are also coats that you just pull over your dog like a sweatshirt. Most coats will give a way to secure them and each have their benefits. Pull overs aren’t going to come off but they’re difficult to get on and off. Stomach straps are easy but may become caught in your dog’s fur. Bungees are quick but can be undone by a wiggly dog. And zippers are secure but may pinch.
- Poncho. The easiest raincoat to put on your dog is definitely the poncho style. You don’t have to worry about wrestling with your dog to get a pullover on, but you’ll need to remember that if your pup is especially active he can force the poncho to slide off his back and trip him up. You’ll need to weigh the convenience with frequency and duration of use to determine if the poncho is for your furry friend.
- Reflective material. If your pup is in the rain, there’s a good chance it’s darker outside than is necessary for optimal vision. Popping a raincoat on your dog that has reflective material will help you find him should he get away from you in the rain, and it will keep him safer by alerting others to his presence in the poor visual conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a dog raincoat work?
A rain coat for dogs are just like raincoats for his owner: It’s designed to keep the dog dry. While our rain jackets are most always a zipper closure, dog rain coats can be closed with Velcro, straps or zippers. You can choose what style you prefer or which your dog does best with, and that will vary from home to home. Dog raincoats that are designed to fit your dog snugly but not restrict his movement and, possibly the most important factor: give plenty of space for him to do his potty business. It will stop at the middle to low chest and not go down his belly at all or you run the risk of him urinating on it. The back shouldn’t go far enough to cover his tail because that runs the risk of getting in the way of number two potty breaks.
Why do dogs not like to go out in the rain?
You may think that dogs don’t like going into the rain because they don’t like being wet. Wet leads to cold and discomfort. That’s why we don’t like being in the rain, after all. So you may be surprised when the raincoat doesn’t improve your dog’s willingness to go outside in the rain. But consider that there are dogs who love to be wet. Duck hunting dogs who love to swim surely wouldn’t mind a little rain, would they? But they do. Because it’s not the water that bothers the dogs; it’s the sound. Dogs hear about 4 times as well as humans, so the comforting putter of rain on a roof is far more imposing for a dog. And the sound of rain on the ground (especially pavement or blacktop) as he’s on a walk is unpleasant for him.
What size raincoat does my dog need?
Unfortunately, there is no standard sizing for dog clothing. You can only check the manufacturer’s sizing details. You’ll need to take careful measurements of your dog before you make a purchase for his raincoat. You want to check the measurements listed on the sweater to make sure you’re measuring all the areas they provide. Each sweater will likely provide their measurements for the neck and chest circumferences and the length from the neck of the sweater to the bottom of it. You’ll want to be able to fit two fingers in between your dogs skin and the coat but no more because you want it neither too loose or too snug. The length of the sweater should not extend past your dog’s tail because it may interfere with his bathroom habits; likewise should the stomach be open, while the chest may be covered.
Do dog raincoats work with harnesses?
Not too many dog raincoats work well with a harness, sadly. Some do, and we’ve included them in our list, but you’ll very likely have better luck finding a raincoat that will work with a regular collar and leash. Some will have a hole along the back that can work with a harness, but that will depend on your specific harness and it may be difficult to find out before purchase if your harness will fit well with it.
You can take this as a challenge to leash train your dog a bit differently or you can take the time to find a raincoat for your dog that works with the harness with which your dog’s most comfortable. You can try to secure the harness over the raincoat, but keep in mind that’s not what they’re designed for and will, in all likelihood, be less effective and more uncomfortable for your dog.
