Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Raincoat

The Ruffwear Sun Shower is a light, packable dog raincoat in waterproof nylon ripstop. It has no hood: a storm collar folds up instead. A leash portal on the back lets your dog wear it over a harness.

Who it suits

Dogs with short or thin coats that walk in rain often, from small to large. It suits owners who want a simple shell rather than full leg coverage.

Key facts

• 70D/210D nylon ripstop with a 3,000 mm waterproof rating, nonfluorinated DWR and PU coating (Ruffwear)
• Reflective accents and a light loop for low-light visibility (Ruffwear)
• Leash portal on the back so it can be worn over most harnesses (Ruffwear)
• Sized by chest girth around the widest part of the rib cage, six sizes from 13 to 42 inches (Ruffwear)
• Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle and hang to dry (Ruffwear)

What reviewers say

Whole Dog Journal tested four raincoats and named it the best overall; with a hose test “only his feet got wet”, though “It did take a little while for the coat to dry afterward”.

Business Insider tested 21 jackets with a soak test and also named it the best overall, but says “The Sun Shower does run a bit big, however, so size down if your dog is between sizes”, and found the reflective piping “not as bright as others on our list”.

Treeline Review picked it as the best affordable coat: it “did well during our waterproofness tests, despite the lower waterproof rating”. Rover‘s testers found it “to run larger and longer”. We did not test it ourselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Best overall pick in Whole Dog Journal’s and Business Insider’s tests
• Pro: Leash portal works over most harnesses, per the maker
• Pro: Machine washable on a gentle cycle, per the maker
• Con: Runs big: Business Insider says size down between sizes
• Con: Reflective piping was not as bright as others in Business Insider’s test
• Con: Treeline found the buckle ends hard to reach on a wiggly dog

Cautions

• Check the fit: snug but not restricting movement, with leg openings that do not rub. If your dog bites, scratches or rubs at the coat, PDSA says that is a sign it does not fit right.
• Dry your dog after wet walks and hang the coat to dry before you store it. Vets quoted by Business Insider and the AKC warn that prolonged dampness, or a coat put away damp, can encourage bacteria or skin infections.
• Take the coat off indoors. PDSA notes most dogs can quickly overheat in a coat in a heated home, and thick-coated dogs may not need one at all.
• A raincoat is not a treatment. If your dog is shivering, lethargic, confused, unsteady or has pale gums after time in cold, wet weather, the RSPCA and PetMD say to take them to a vet immediately.