9 Dog Raincoat Picks for Wet Weather
Published on February 10, 2021
Dogs need regular walks. They’re important for exercise and mental stimulation. And even if the weather is bad, you can’t just skip out on walking your dog.
Luckily, purchasing a dog raincoat can help keep your pup warm and dry during wet walks outside. Not only that—they look fashionable and cute, too!
If you are in the market for a dog raincoat, keep reading. We’ve rounded up our favorite picks that are stylish, durable, and easy to use. Your dog will be singing (or barking) in the rain in no time.
Our Picks
- Best Dog Raincoat — Overall Winner: Weatherbeeta Reflective Dog Parka
- Best Dog Raincoat With Hood: Ellie Dog Wear Yellow Zip Up Dog Raincoat
- Best Large Dog Raincoat: Pro Plums Adjustable Dog Raincoat
- Best Small Dog Raincoat: SPOT Ethical Products Dog Raincoat
- Best Yellow Dog Raincoat: HDE Dog Raincoat Hooded Slicker Poncho
- Best Clear Dog Raincoat: HDE Hooded Dog Raincoat
- Best Patterned Dog Raincoat: Blueberry Packable Dog Raincoat
- Best Camouflage Dog Raincoat: Fabdog Packable Dog Raincoat
- Best Full-Coverage Dog Raincoat: Hurtta Dog Raincoat
What Is a Dog Raincoat?
Just like raincoats designed to protect humans from inclement weather, dog raincoats are usually made of waterproof or water resistant material to keep dogs dry. Some of them come with hoods, while others are simply meant to protect your dog’s body.
Dog raincoats are available in a variety of styles, with different closures and features. Some offer a simple poncho style that wraps around a dog’s neck, but doesn’t have sleeves to really protect a dog’s limbs. Others feature a vest or harness style closure. Again, these protect a dog’s back and body, but leave a pup’s legs free. There are also dog raincoats designed with sleeves that help to offer full-coverage protection. However, these may be more difficult to put on your dog and he or she may not like the restrictive feeling of sleeves while walking.
Reasons Your Dog May Need a Raincoat
Not all dogs need protection against wet weather—especially dogs with thick double coats like Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands. But there are a variety of reasons you may want to consider purchasing a raincoat for your dog.
Keep Your Dog Dry
This one seems obvious, but raincoats help to keep your dog dry during rainy walks. This is especially helpful if your dog does not have a thick, protective coat. Breeds like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers can really benefit from the extra protection. And even if your dog does have a double coat, you may not want to deal with wet dog smell or a big, soggy mess when you get back home.
Keep Your Dog Warm
Rainy weather tends to bring cooler temperatures. If you’re walking your dog in the rain when it is cold outside, a raincoat can add a protective layer of warmth. Many of these raincoats offer some form of insulation and help keep dogs dry and warm during walks.
Keep Your Dog Clean
When dogs splash through puddles and walk in the rain, dirt tends to kick up and splash on their coats. A dog raincoat can help keep your dog’s coat clean during wet walks.
Provide Visibility During Walks
Visibility during rainstorms is often lower, so it may be more difficult for motorists to see your dog while driving. But dog raincoats often come in bright colors with reflective materials, which helps your dog be seen by passing cars. These features can save your dog’s life, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Shopping for a Dog Raincoat: What to Look For
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Dog raincoats vary in price, style, and durability. If you plan on using one often, it’s a good idea to invest in a coat that will stand up to multiple walks in wet weather and is easy to use and clean.
Here are some things to consider when shopping for a dog raincoat:
Secure Closures
Make sure the closing mechanisms on your dog’s raincoat are secure and keep the coat in place. Flimsy closures can cause the coat to fall off or shift around, which defeats the purpose of using it in the first place. The last thing you’ll want to do during a wet walk is to have to keep stopping to adjust the coat, so find a piece that fastens tightly and stays put.
Leash Accessibility
Make sure to choose a dog raincoat that allows you to easily and securely connect your dog’s leash to his collar or harness without any hindrance or difficulty. This may seem like a small thing, but if the raincoat makes it tricky to attach a leash for walks, you’ll just wind up annoyed with it and likely won’t use it.
Type of Lining
If you live in a warm or tropical environment, you may not need or want a dog raincoat with an insulated lining. But if you live in areas where temperatures get cooler, lining in a raincoat can help keep your dog warm and cozy. These linings will differ in materials—the most common being fleece, wool, or a synthetic option. Having the lining be removable could be another perk for easy cleaning and use during different seasons.
Reflective Elements
As previously mentioned, dog raincoats can help increase your pup’s visibility during a walk. Choose a raincoat that offers some kind of reflective element, like panels, patches, or reflective stitching. This will ensure your dog’s safety in low-light, rainy conditions.
Best Dog Raincoat Picks
Best Dog Raincoat: Overall Winner
Our Pick: Weatherbeeta Reflective Dog Parka
When it comes to midweight raincoats for dogs, it’s hard to beat the Weatherbeeta. It offers a lot of great coverage from shoulder to tail and even has a collar that protects a dog’s neck from the rain. The closure is easy to use and simply wraps around your dog’s stomach, so you can get a secure fit without limiting your dog’s movements. The exterior is completely waterproof and it’s Polyfill interior gives it the right amount of warmth for cool, rainy walks. Additionally, this dog parka features bright colors and reflective strips to help your dog stay visible in low light conditions.
Highlights
- Waterproof exterior and polyfill insulation to keep dogs warm.
- Bright and reflective for visibility.
- Adjustable collar that can pop up or down.
- Easy velcro closures that wrap around your dog.
- Available in a wide variety of sizes.
Things to Consider
- Hand washing is recommended.
- Velcro has a tendency to get dirty and is difficult to clean.
- Because of the variety of sizes, some customers had difficulty finding the right fit.
- May be too warm for certain climates.
Best Dog Raincoat With Hood
Our Pick: Ellie Dog Wear Yellow Zip Up Dog Raincoat
If you are looking for a stylish, classic dog raincoat with a hood, this one from Ellie Dog Wear is ideal. It has that traditional look with a zip-up closure, sleeves, and—yes—a functional, stylish hood. The details on this coat are really nice. It has a zipper closure, but snap buttons to keep it shut. The striped lining is chic and adds an extra layer for a bit of warmth. It features pockets where you can store some of your dog’s items. And the hood is removable, which can definitely come in handy. The sleeves offer a bit more protection than other poncho or vest models. Overall, it’s a really great option.
Highlights
- Comes with a removable hood.
- Secure zipper and snap-button system to keep it on.
- Pockets for extra storage.
- Available in three sizes.
- Harness-friendly.
- Absolutely adorable.
Things to Consider
- Some dogs may not like the sleeves of the coat.
- May be difficult to put on squirmy dogs.
- This raincoat is water resistant, but not fully waterproof. May not work in heavy downpours.
- No reflective elements.
Best Large Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: Pro Plums Adjustable Dog Raincoat
Sometimes it can be tricky to fit a large dog into a raincoat. The closures may not wrap around them tightly enough or it may not cover fully in the back. But we really like this adjustable, lightweight option from Pro Plums. While the sizing can cover small dogs too, this dog raincoat has sizes in the Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large categories, which give plenty of coverage and comfort to larger breeds. It also features an adjustable collar and back strap so that you can find just the right fit for your dog. Additionally, this raincoat comes with a mesh lining that helps regulate your dog’s temperature.
Highlights
- Designed to fit large dogs with multiple sizes and adjustable collar and back strap.
- Features reflective trim for visibility.
- Offers a harness hole to easily connect your leash.
- Mesh lining for temperature control.
- Is machine washable.
Things to Consider
- No hood, but there is an adjustable collar.
- Not designed to keep a dog’s stomach dry.
- Some reviewers complained that the elastic at the back doesn’t work for larger dogs.
Best Small Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: SPOT Ethical Products Dog Raincoat
We love this raincoat for small dogs because it comes in both extra small and small size offerings and it’s lightweight and easy to wear. It has two velcro closures for simple on and off and these straps are adjustable so you can get the perfect fit. The front flap is loose, so it doesn’t restrict movement, but it still protects your dog’s coat from dirt and grime. And the hood can be worn up or down depending on the severity of the rain.
Highlights
- Available in a wide range of sizes including extra small and small.
- Easy velcro closures make getting it on and off easy.
- Reflective stripes on the center band and hood for visibility.
- Lightweight fabric is not too heavy for small dogs.
Things to Consider
- No real insulation for warmth, so shouldn’t be used in very cold weather.
- If your dog has a long neck, the hood may not fit correctly.
- Some reviewers said that the collar hole for leashes ripped from dogs pulling.
Best Yellow Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: HDE Dog Raincoat Hooded Slicker Poncho
Yellow is a classic raincoat color, which is why you’ll see plenty of other yellow options on our list. But if you want a bright yellow dog raincoat that really stands up to the elements, this one from HDE is a great choice. The material is completely waterproof, so rain and snow will wick off easily. It’s highly reflective—not just due to the bright color but because of the reflective strips. It’s lightweight and easy to pack for all of your adventures. And if you feel like straying from the yellow color, this coat comes in a variety of shades and patterns to mix it up.
Highlights
- Classic yellow dog raincoat option.
- Reflective strips for visibility.
- Adjustable straps for fit.
- Waterproof, not just water resistant.
- Available in four different sizes.
Things to Consider
- Like many other dog raincoats, this won’t keep your pup’s belly dry.
- A few reviewers did complain that the water resistance seemed to deteriorate after about a year.
- Some people had a tough time finding the right size for their dog.
Best Clear Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: HDE Hooded Dog Raincoat
You may not want a dog raincoat with bright colors or crazy patterns. If you are in the market for the simplicity and affordability of a clear dog raincoat this one from HDE is a good option. It’s made from strong polyester with a waterproof coating which will keep your dog dry and it’s available in a wide variety of sizes. The transparent nature of it doesn’t hide your dog’s naturally good-looking coat and the fasteners around the neck and belly make it easy to put on and take off. There’s an easy leash hole in the back to make attaching the leash a breeze.
Highlights
- Transparent coat so you can still see your pup.
- Waterproof coating lets rain bead off.
- Four different size options.
- Easy to use closure system for simple on and off.
- Affordable, no-frills dog raincoat.
Things to Consider
- The hood is not removable and may be annoying if not in use.
- Some reviewers said the material felt a bit flimsy, but keep in mind the price is low.
Best Patterned Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: Blueberry Packable Dog Raincoat
If you’re looking for a dog raincoat with a fun pattern, then we really like the options offered by Blueberry with their lightweight, packable options. There are a couple of different prints available ranging from stars and hearts to fun weather-themed options. You can also get these in bright neon solid colors too, but we’re suckers for the patterned picks. This is made from waterproof polyester, with elastic arm and leg holes for a tight fit. It offers a hood and a drawstring on the neck area to help find the right fit. And even though this coat features a pattern, it also offers reflective images and seaming to assist with visibility in low-light situations. And did we mention these coats are adorable? Enough said!
Highlights
- Several different colors and patterns available.
- Comes with a waterproof bag to make packing mess-free and easy.
- Adjustable leg openings and drawstring at the neck area.
- Cute hood and leash hole for easy attachment.
Things to Consider
- Waterproofing will wear off with extensive use.
- May get wrinkled if left in the carrying bag for an extended period.
- Wipe down or spot clean only. Not recommended for washing machines.
- Some reviewers complained that finding the right size was difficult. Double check your measurements!
Best Camouflage Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: Fabdog Packable Dog Raincoat
If you want to amp up your dog’s street style, this camouflage dog raincoat from Fabdog will definitely do the trick. The camo pattern on this one isn’t obnoxious or too hunting focused—it feels fashionable and current. This coat features a belly band and hook closure and the hood can be cinched tighter or kept looser depending on your dog’s size. This camouflage dog raincoat is lightweight and easy to pack. It even folds up in the front pocket, making traveling a breeze.
Highlights
- Cool camouflage pattern and other colors available.
- Available in six different sizes.
- Adjustable hood and mesh lining for comfort.
- Folds into the front pocket for easy packing and traveling.
Things to Consider
- Not a heavyweight raincoat.
- Closures are velcro around the neck.
Best Full-Coverage Dog Raincoat
Our Pick: Hurtta Dog Raincoat
Most dog raincoats offer minimal coverage for a dog’s underside and legs. But this one from Hurtta is a nice full-coverage option that protects pets from rain, puddles, mud, and more. This is a full-on rain suit that features four sleeves for your dog’s legs with an adjustable leg length option. The high collar comes with a rain trap built inside to prevent water from getting into the suit. The exterior is a comfortable, flexible outdoor material that doesn’t make a lot of noise. It also features reflectors on the collar and hind legs for improved visibility at night.
Highlights
- Full coverage suit to protect your dogs legs and underside.
- Adjustable leg length to help fit your dog.
- High collar with a rain trap.
- Flexible, noise-free material.
Things to Consider
- Definitely more expensive than other raincoats on this list.
- No hole for harness access.
- Taking proper measurements is important to get the right size.
- May be more difficult to get on and off than other dog raincoats.