Dog Sweaters

Pet Fashion Spans Budget and Style

Christine Gowen, Pet HealthZone Editor

As the owner of two large-breed dogs, I have borne witness that despite having thick, plush fur coats they have gotten cold. So cold they curl up into tight donuts, tucked into the recess of their bed, and—I swear—given me a huff of appreciation when I cover them with a blanket.

So, does a dog really need a sweater? Absolutely!

Clearly others feel the same way because there are a wide variety of sweater choices for every style and budget that will please even the most particular fashionista hound.

Designer Dog Sweater

Ralph Lauren has a surprising collection of sweaters and coats for dogs.

The range includes cabled cashmere sweaters (with free personalization!), a skull and crossbones design, a his- and hers- festive reindeer sweater (a peplum hem for her!), tartan fleece, shawl-collared, camo, the classic Polo pony logo and some hoodie designs.

Prices run from $45 to $195; the good news: some are currently on sale, up to 60% off, bringing some of their super cute cotton color-blocked dog sweaters to $29.99.

Not too shabby for a designer brand for the logo-conscious pup (or pet owner).

The Outdoor Diva

It’s not so much a sweater as it’s a jacket, but for some dogs—especially active ones who like to run around outdoors—the Lands’ End fleece dog jacket is easy to put on and take off, offers your companion the flexibility to move about and stay warm and the price is an affordable $24.99.

The cozy jacket also has a reflective trim to help get your dog visible at night. It comes in three fun colors in three sizes.

Sporty Threads for Pups

Pet Sports Gear makes sports apparel — for teams including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA  — for dogs of all sizes.

So, whether your pup is a Stealers fan or roots for the Seahawks, you can find sweaters (and all sorts of other gear) on this budget-friendly site.

These officially licensed-threads are guaranteed to make your dog the star of the party — or at least carry the team spirit. Price average begins around $18.95.

Targeting Budget-Friendly Duds

Target offers a line of dog apparel that’s cute and budget-friendly, with prices starting at $9.99 from a variety of brands featured in their stores. Their holiday collection has a few seasonal Christmas sweaters (now on sale!) plus a few argyle-patterned sweaters for the preppy pup. Sizes range from XS to XL.

Best Selling Sweaters

Under their “Best Sellers” category, Amazon has an impressive array of dog sweaters from which to choose.

We were captivated by the variety of “ugly holiday sweaters.” So on-trend!

The price range starts at super affordable ($3.25) and the styles include festive, patriotic, classic, preppy, punk and collegiate designs.

The best thing we found about buying dog sweaters on Amazon: the customer reviews. Fellow pet owners give honest feedback on the quality of material and how the sizes fit. Since you’re buying online, this can greatly help in deciding which sweater (and size) to buy your dog.

DIY Dog Sweaters

For those of you who have old or unwearable sweaters or sweatshirts, consider turning them into a DIY project and make your dog a unique, one-of-a-kind cozy knit to wear around the block.

There is no sewing needed, only a pair of scissors and a sweater or sweatshirt. We found this helpful tutorial that can be used as a quick guideline.

Christine Gowen, managing editor of the Pet HealthZone, has enjoyed a menagerie of pets throughout her lifetime, including dogs, cats and exotic critters such as guinea pigs, hamsters, black-hooded rats, a mouse, and even a chicken. Along with her husband, she is the proud parent of four kids — two of which are her beloved (and sometimes dressed up) Labrador retrievers.