Best Dog Raincoat: Fit, Features and Top Picks

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A dog raincoat keeps your dog’s coat drier on wet walks and, with reflective trim, makes them easier to see on dark evenings. This guide covers which dogs actually need one, how to measure, what to look for, the raincoats we list, and the cold weather signs that mean you need a vet, not a coat.

The short answer: the Ruffwear Sun Shower was the best overall pick in two hands-on tests and works over a harness. The Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat 2.0 had the highest waterproof rating in Treeline Review’s test. The Hurtta Mudventure ECO covers the most of your dog, and the Kurgo Halifax is the toughest shell. Many dogs with thick coats do not need a raincoat at all.

How we wrote this: the advice on coats and cold, wet weather comes from the AKC (quoting a veterinarian), the ASPCA, PetMD (including a veterinarian-written hypothermia article), VCA Animal Hospitals, the RSPCA, PDSA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross, all linked where they are used and checked on 31 October 2026. Product notes come from the makers’ pages and from hands-on tests by Whole Dog Journal, Treeline Review, Business Insider (medically reviewed by a veterinarian) and Rover. We did not test the raincoats ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.

Does your dog need a raincoat?

Not always. PDSA says most dogs will be fine with short periods in the cold without any additional layers, and Blue Cross says breeds such as Labradors, huskies and German shepherds are not so bothered by the cold. A veterinarian quoted by Business Insider says many dogs do not actually need a raincoat, because their fur protects them in wet weather.

Some dogs do benefit. PDSA names dogs with fine or thin fur, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, and dogs that are very young, underweight, old or unwell. Blue Cross adds short-coated breeds such as Dobermans and Staffordshire bull terriers, and the AKC says young puppies and senior dogs feel the cold more than healthy adults. The AKC also notes that even dogs who do not get cold easily can benefit from a rain jacket in wet climates, if only to come home drier.

How to measure your dog

• Back length. PDSA says to measure from the neck, where the collar sits, to the base of the tail. Hurtta and Non-stop Dogwear size by back length.
• Chest. Measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. Ruffwear sizes the Sun Shower by chest girth alone.
• Neck. Measure where the collar sits. Kurgo says neck and chest matter most for its shell.

Use each maker’s own chart, because sizes differ between brands. Testers found the Sun Shower and the Hurtta run big, so read the notes under each pick before you choose between two sizes. The RSPCA says a jacket should be snug but not restrict movement, and the AKC warns that a coat that is too loose can tangle a dog while playing or walking.

What to look for

• Reflective trim. The AKC says reflective trim helps drivers see you and your dog on dark mornings and evenings, and Dogs Trust suggests a coat with reflective features, a flashing collar or a light attachment.
• A harness opening. A leash port lets you clip to a harness under the coat. PetMD says jackets with leash hooks are meant to be worn only under direct supervision.
• Breathable fabric. A veterinarian quoted by Business Insider says breathable fabric helps prevent overheating, and Treeline Review found one rain suit got wet inside from condensation when dogs ran.
• Leg openings that do not rub. Business Insider says leg openings should be large enough to prevent rubbing on the skin.
• No hood needed. Whole Dog Journal found hoods generally did not stay on and dogs disliked them, and Treeline’s dog trainer says the same.
• Easy care. Check whether the coat is machine washable, and how long it takes to dry.

Our picks

Ruffwear Sun Shower: best overall

A light nylon ripstop shell with a 3,000 mm waterproof rating, a folding storm collar instead of a hood, reflective accents and a leash portal on the back for use over a harness. It comes in six sizes by chest girth, 13 to 42 inches, and Ruffwear says to wash it cold on a gentle cycle. Whole Dog Journal and Business Insider both named it the best overall; in Whole Dog Journal’s hose test only the dog’s feet got wet. Treeline called it the best affordable coat, and Rover‘s testers found it runs larger and longer, giving big dogs extra coverage. Downsides: Business Insider says it runs big and found the reflective piping less bright than others.

Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat 2.0: highest waterproof rating

Treeline Review named the Fjord 2.0 its best overall after shower tests, and it kept the same result after washing and drying. Non-stop Dogwear gives a 20,000 mm waterproof rating, drainage holes in the chest piece, back-length sizing, and says it can be machine washed in a laundry bag and tumble dried on low. Its leash opening fits a short dog harness but not a collar, and Whole Dog Journal found the leash access inconvenient. We have not added a product page for it yet.

Hurtta Mudventure ECO: most coverage

An unlined recycled polyester coat with a water column over 10,000 mm, fully taped seams, sewn-in reflectors and a harness opening with a snap closure. Business Insider found it gave the most coverage of the raincoats it tested, and Treeline named it the most adjustable. Sizing needs care: Hurtta says to choose the larger size between sizes, but Treeline recommends sizing down for a first Hurtta coat. Treeline also says it needs hours or overnight to dry.

Kurgo Halifax: toughest shell

Polyester ripstop with a waterproof TPU coating, reflective piping, quick-release buckles and an opening for a harness or collar. Treeline found it had the thickest and sturdiest material of the nine coats it tested, but its dogs moved a bit more stiffly in it. Kurgo says it is hand wash only.

Getting your dog used to a raincoat

Dogs Trust says wearing a coat is a new experience for some dogs and should be introduced gradually and positively. Put it on at home for short spells with treats before the first wet walk. If your dog bites, scratches or rubs against the coat, PDSA says that is a sign it does not fit right and is irritating them.

After the walk

• Dry your dog. The ASPCA says to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside, and the RSPCA says drying a wet dog helps prevent skin irritation and matting that can lead to infections. For towels, drying coats and ears, see how to dry a wet dog.
• Dry the coat. A veterinarian quoted by the AKC warns that coats can harbor bacteria if put away damp.
• Take it off indoors. PDSA says most dogs do not need a coat indoors, as they can quickly overheat in a heated home.

When cold and wet is a vet problem

A raincoat is not a treatment. PetMD‘s veterinarian author says dogs can become dangerously cold from prolonged exposure to wet or windy weather, and VCA says hypothermia can occur if your pet is wet and exposed to frosty air. Signs range from shivering and lethargy to collapse; the RSPCA also lists drowsiness, confusion, loss of coordination and pale gums. If you see these, the RSPCA and PetMD both say to take your dog to the vet immediately. PDSA says that if your dog is shivering or slowing down on a walk, bring them home into the warmth straight away.

For dark evening walks, see our best dog light for night walks guide: LED collars, clip-on lights, harnesses and leashes, based on independent hands-on tests.

To keep hair, mud and water off the back seat, see our best dog car seat cover guide: hammocks and bench covers, based on independent hands-on tests. A cover is not a restraint, so use it with a harness or a secured crate.

FAQ

Do dogs need raincoats?

Many do not. Dogs with thick coats usually cope with rain, while thin-coated, small, very young, old or unwell dogs benefit most, according to PDSA and Blue Cross.

Should a dog raincoat have a hood?

It is not needed. Whole Dog Journal and Treeline Review both found that hoods rarely stay on and dogs dislike them.

Can my dog wear a raincoat over a harness?

Yes, if it has a leash portal or harness opening, as all the coats above do. Check that the opening lines up with your harness’s leash ring.

Can my dog wear the raincoat all day?

No. Take it off indoors and when your dog is unsupervised. PDSA warns about overheating indoors, and PetMD says coats with leash hooks are for supervised wear.

For wet and icy paws, see our best dog boots guide. For leashes and harnesses, see our leash, harness and carrier buying guide. For the rest of your winter routine, read how to walk your dog safely in winter.