Walking and caring for your dog in rainy weather

Just like us, our dog friends need to exercise to stay healthy. But when the skies darken and the wind picks up, it's a time of year when we'd much rather stay warm on the sofa... Impossible for our furry friends! Dogs need to exercise and relieve themselves, so a daily walk is certainly not out of the question. 🐶

When it comes to dogs, there are two schools of thought. There are those who love to go for walks in the rain, for whom getting wet poses no problem - in fact, they love it! And those who are a bit dowdy, who don't like to go for walks in the rain because, well actually, rain gets wet. 🌧

Whichever side yours is on, you'll have to take it out anyway. You can wait for a break in the weather to (finally) get your feet and paws outside, but whatever happens, the humidity will be there. So today, the editors of Flotte have a few tips for those days when it's time to go for a walk in miserable weather! ☔️

Why buy your dog a raincoat?

Even when the weather's playing tricks on us, dogs need to get out, get some fresh air and let off steam, if only to relieve themselves. So what do we do? We put on our raincoat, grab the leash and take Medor out. But, as is often the case in big cities, dogs are used to being indoors, so they too may need accessories to protect them from the cold and damp. Fragile dogs are the ones that need the most attention: puppies, old dogs, sick dogs...

If your dog loves the rain, always finds a way to jump and run in puddles, and comes home full of mud, there's no need to worry about waterproof equipment. But if your dog is cold and doesn't really appreciate the rain, you can turn to dog raincoats.

When you take your dog for a walk, you don't want him to get sick. So, even though they tend to be hard-wearing, you need to think about their protection. When it rains, you can equip your fur ball with a dog raincoat, designed to protect their body and especially their belly from moisture. The belly is a sensitive area that needs particular attention.

Some dog raincoats also feature a hood to protect the head from raindrops. With French Bandit, we've come up with a raincoat for dogs whose hood can also be attached so that he doesn't get in the way!

Why buy a down jacket for your dog?

On very cold days, you can also provide your dog with a quilted layer to keep him warm, without overheating him. With a down jacket, he'll be warm and dry for walks! With a bit of luck, being equipped will make him want to go out for a walk.

⚠️️ Before buying clothes for your dog, make sure he can handle them. This applies to raincoats, quilted jackets and other dog accessories! While we sometimes want to please our beloved pets, it's important to keep an eye on their needs and desires.

After the walk, dry your dog thoroughly!

During a walk, your dog will tend to snort from time to time, especially if he's not wearing a raincoat, to get rid of the water that has fallen on his fur. Dogs are lucky, their hair is already waterproof! That's pretty smart thinking on Mother Nature's part, because it means they can stay relatively dry for a while. Nevertheless, whether you use a waterproof coat or a dog raincoat, your fur ball will always be wet, if only on the legs, tail or head.

It's even worse when he's covered in mud. At that point, as soon as you're back in the dry, don't delay in cleaning and drying him. You can use a microfiber towel , for example, which is highly absorbent and effective. After rinsing his paws to avoid any infection or fungus (or stains on the tiles), dry him with love and that's it ♥️

By drying him off, your dog will feel much more at ease, and you'll avoid muddy marks all over the house!

How to avoid that wet dog smell after a rainy walk?

Unfortunately for your nostrils, this step is somewhat unavoidable... By equipping your dog with a dog raincoat and drying him off on his return, you'll limit the damage, but you may not be able to escape it.

Take this as a hint! Sometimes it means it's time to wash your pooch 🧼 But remember, if you ever do wash him, the approach is the same as when he comes home from a rainy walk! Dry him off well and let him let off steam, fidgeting will keep him warm and prevent him from catching a cold despite his wet coat.

That's all there is to it! With our list of special tips for dogs in the rain, we hope you'll be able to make the most of rainy days with your pooch! And above all, don't forget your matching dog-master raincoats! 🤝🐶