Our 9 Favorite Sweaters for Dogs to Keep Them Warm and Cozy (2024)

Our Top Picks

Philadelphia-based pet apparel brand Chilly Dog is an excellent go-to brand for dog sweaters, sweatshirts, and pullovers. Sweaters are the center of its product line; its owners began the business with the primary goal of manufacturing ethically made sweaters with a fair price tag.

For 10 years, all of Chilly Dog’s wool sweaters have been hand-knit by highly skilled and fairly compensated artisans in the Northern highlands of South America. The wool used is 100 percent organic and uses natural dyes, with sourcing that embraces Fair Trade guidelines.

While there are numerous attractive wool sweater designs from Chilly Dog, the Boyfriend Sweater has a versatile design that will look great on any dog. It is only available in one color and pattern, but the look couldn’t be more classic, with white and red stripes on the rear, a classic gray and brown body, and a V-neck cut.

Outside of its stylishness and ethical manufacturing, we also selected the Boyfriend Sweater because of its durability. The high-quality materials provide a lot of value, and this sweater has been designed to be a doggy wardrobe staple for years. It is also easy to slip over your dog’s head without discomfort and can be paired with a leash or harness.

Another perk of the Boyfriend is that, unlike many pet sweater products, it comes in a wide range of fits that have been proven to comfortably fit dogs of a variety of breeds and sizes. The sweater runs long, and there is adequate give in the materials to fit dogs with various more substantial physiques, all the way up to oversize pit bulls, boxers, and more. The Boyfriend Sweater and the Chilly Dog brand generally stand out in a crowded market of dog sweater options thanks to accessible prices, top-notch and classic materials, ethical manufacturing practices, and sustainability.

The Chilly Dog Hand Knit Wool Boyfriend Sweater is also machine-washable.

_{Sizes: Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, 3x-large |Materials: Wool |Color: Gray, white, red}

This Fair Isle bobble dog sweater design from The Foggy Dog features a diamond pattern against a navy blue background, accented with hand-crocheted bobbles to invoke a festive mood. It's made of soft acrylic and comes in a wide range of sizes, from XX-Small to XX-Large. We like that the turtleneck and sleeves can be rolled up for a more flexible fit.

We also like that there is an option to personalize the sweater with embroidery at the back and that a food donation is made to a rescue shelter with every purchase.

Since the sweater is made of 100 percent acrylic, it is machine-washable in cold water. However, we should point out that this material is less breathable and less durable than wool or wool blends.

_{Sizes: Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large | Materials: Acrylic | Colors: Various}

The Gooby Fleece Vest is a sleeveless pullover-style sweater with a high neck. The soft polyester top offers a little bit of stretch and features a built-in leash attachment between the shoulders. The lightweight D-ring is reinforced with stitching and designed to be used in place of a harness for walks. The fleece comes in a variety of colors and five sizes.

This machine-washable style runs small, so we recommend the fleece-harness combo for very small to medium-sized dogs. It will also work well for small dogs with short legs and long torsos, like Dachshunds.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large, x-large | Materials: Polyester | Colors: Red, pink, blue, navy, green, gray, lavender, brown, fuchsia, clay, deep blue, honey mustard, lime, peach, pumpkin, turquoise, black}

Jecikelon’s Dog Sweater is available in a whopping 12 different colors, so given its super-low cost, there’s plenty of incentive for you to invest in more than one for different occasions and moods. But perhaps the most important aspect of Jecikelon’s sweater is its super-soft “woolen” acrylic fabric, which has the right amount of stretch to fit any dog. Providing generous body coverage, the sweater’s fleece lining is warm without feeling suffocating.

The main drawback to this exceptionally cost-effective item is that it’s not a suitable fit for larger pups. The largest size for this sweater is 15 inches long, so it won't fit bigger breeds.

_{Sizes: Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large | Materials: Acrylic | Colors: Brown, dark blue, green, gray, khaki, light blue, navy blue, pink, purple, red, rose red, wine red}

The Lingua Franca Cashmere Dog Sweater will keep your dog warm for many winters to come. It's made of sustainably sourced cashmere and available in five colors: peony, red, navy, smoke, and black. It has a high neck that can be folded down and a sewn-in opening at the nape to allow for a leash to be attached to a collar or harness. The belly is cut high to keep your furry friend clean and the armholes allow for unrestricted movement.

Female-founded, NYC-based Lingua Franca is best known for hand-embroidered cashmere sweaters often worn by well-known, dog-loving humans in the spotlight. This sweater for canines is available without or with embroidery. You can select from phrases like "In Dog We Trust" or you can have the wording of your choice, like your dog's nickname, added in the brand's signature cursive lettering.

This sweater is available in a wide range of sizes, all hand-wash and hang-dry only.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large | Materials: Cashmere | Colors: Peony, red, navy, smoke, black}

Canadian dog sweater manufacturer Chilly Dogs isn’t the same as Chilly Dog (maker of our Best Overall pick), and its excellent fleece sweater fulfills a very different purpose. The Chilly Dogs Fleece Sweater stands out because of its commitment to a snug fit, ensuring your dog gets the maximum insulation out of its polar fleece—a soft-napped and highly insulating fabric made from polyester. Fleece is non-absorbent and dries quickly, making this a good pick for snow days.

There’s no need to fit the Chilly Dogs sweater over your dog’s head. Instead, the fleece includes a wrap-around fleece strap that feeds through a belt loop and closes with a plastic snap buckle. The fit is designed to adhere closely to your dog’s skin, which is why Chilly Dogs offers a whopping 22 different sizes, including sizes tailored to “Long & Lean” and “Broad & Burly” dogs. There is even an online tool that helps you get the size just right.

As a more technical piece of equipment than most dog sweaters—designed for outdoor and winter adventure use—the Fleece Sweater pairs well with dog jackets or rain shells, making it exceptionally useful for layering. It also comes in a wide range of colors. It’s even machine-washable, on a cold water, gentle cycle—just be careful with the plastic buckle.

_{Sizes: Standard 10-36, long & lean 18-30, broad & burly 13-28 | Materials: Polar fleece, plastic snap buckle | Colors: Arctic blue, red, blue jay, black, raspberry, imperial purple, blaze orange, navy}

Little Beast Dog Sweaters come in a variety of prints and colors along with a rotating collection of new designs launched in collaboration with independent brands such as Lisa Says Gah, Memorial Day, and Wray. These partnerships often included pieces for humans as well, including socks, bucket-style hats, and sweaters.

The classic Little Beast sweaters have a turtleneck and two long sleeves for the front legs, which can all be folded to customize the fit for the doggie wearer. This style of sweater from Little Beast is made with very soft acrylic yarn that is machine-washable on a delicate setting.

There is a sewn-in opening for a leash attachment, but you could also put a harness on the outside of these slim-knit sweaters. Little Beast also offers sleeveless cotton sweaters with a crewneck. The sizes range from xx-small to xx-large so you are likely to find a size to fit your dog (or cat).

_{Sizes: XX-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large | Materials: Acrylic, cotton | Colors: Various}

French Knot uses 100 percent natural wool and vintage-inspired patterns and designs to make its delightful collection of sweaters for dogs. The sweaters come in four sizes (x-small to large), but even the biggest size is best for small to medium-sized dogs with a maximum weight of 30 pounds and chest girth of 22 inches.

The wool sweaters are breathable and soft with hand-embroidered designs that coordinate with many of French Knot's accessories and apparel items for humans. The cozy sweaters do have a bit of stretch along with a hook-and-loop strap opening at the neck to make them easier to get on and off your dog, but the hook-and-loop straps might stick to fur.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large | Materials: Wool, hook-and-loop straps | Colors: Various}

This super soft imported dog sweater comes in a broad selection of cute designs to suit your pup's personality and occasion—from holiday themes to classic houndstooth to leopard print. For an additional $15, you can personalize any sweater with their name embroidered on the back, which is a great price considering Mark & Graham's reputation for high-quality personalized gifts.

While the sweater sizes range from x-small to x-large, the dimensions seem to run a tad small. For example, the chest circumference of the x-large is only 26 inches. Something to keep in mind when ordering.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large, x-large | Materials: Acrylic, wool | Colors: Various}

Final Verdict

Chilly Dog's Boyfriend Sweater is our favorite because it combines eco-friendly wool with a wide range of sizes and a classic look. If you’re looking for a sweater for a photo-ready dog sweater, check out The Foggy Dog and Mark & Graham. Both brands offer a variety of seasonal sweaters with the option to personalize with your dog's name.

FAQ

• Do dogs need sweaters?

  As noted above, certain breeds of dog can directly benefit from wearing sweaters, including hairless or short-coated breeds, as well as small dogs. There are also dogs with explicit health problems for which a sweater can be an important protective tool, such as dogs who are particularly at risk for hypothermia, dogs with arthritis, and older dogs with compromised immune systems.

• How do you wash dog sweaters?

  The answer to the question depends on the product, which will have individual instructions for washing and drying. Most of the highest-quality dog sweaters available are machine washable, with air drying encouraged to prevent shrinkage.

  For dirty sweaters covered in your dog’s hair, it can be helpful to launder them in a mesh bag to prevent damage to the garment and hair from spreading around the washing machine.
  

• Do sweaters make dogs calmer?

  The warm embrace of a cozy sweater can provide your dog with a sense of security and physical comfort, particularly in cold weather. Sweaters can help small, thin- or short-haired dogs and dogs that have lost muscle mass better retain heat. Similar to the effect of swaddling a baby, wearing a sweater may also help calm dogs who are anxious or nervous.

• How do you select a sweater for a dog?

  When selecting a sweater for your dog, choose a style that covers their body and fits snugly without limiting their movement. Look for one that is easy to put on and take off. Ideally, it shouldn't extend much beyond the base of their tail to avoid getting dirty when they're outside or doing their business. Prioritize soft, breathable, and stretchy materials that are gentle on your dog's skin.