Dachshund Clothes For Summer
Dachshunds really enjoy summer time. They get to walk, play, and swim in the nice warm weather. No cold snow or wet rain will slow them down!
As Dachshund owners, we need to understand that the summer sun can can be warm and inviting to our doxies, but also very dangerous. There are plenty of cool and comfortable Dachshund Clothes For Summer that won’t break the bank.
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Your Dachshund needs to be covered up with UV Protective dog clothing to prevent sunburn. After researching several options, the PlayaPup Dog Shirt is the best fit for my wiener dogs. It is the only comfortable sun shirt my doxies will wear without issue.
Why Do Dachshunds Need Clothes in the Summer?
I get it, putting clothes on a dog in the summer seems a little confusing. UV protective shirts (rash guard), hats, and vests, not only help keep your doxie cool, but protect against cancer causing UV Rays from the sun.
Dachshunds Need Sun Protection
Dachshunds will willingly lay out in the sunshine for hours if permitted. They don’t know enough to come inside when they are too hot.
As Dachshund parents, we need to help them stay cool and safe in the shade, use UV protection on walks, provide plenty of cool water, and manage the amount of time they spend outside in the summer heat.
Short-Haired Dachshunds are more at risk for sunburn. Long Hair Dachshunds are more at risk for heatstroke.
My short-haired, mini dachshund, Eko (above) is bright white with dapple and piebald spots. The hair on his nose and belly are so thin that I can see his skin very clearly. He needs extra protection from the sun.
Where Do Dog’s Get Sunburn?
Sunburn will most likely occur on your Dachshund’s nose, ears, around the eyes, lips, belly, and armpits. Even if your doxie isn’t laying on his back while sunbathing, the sun’s rays can bounce off of the sidewalk outside or the sand at the beach.
Dachshund belly hair is very thin, so their skin can burn easily. Dachshunds have a higher risk of belly burn because they are so close to the ground.
Fact: Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer in dogs. (AKC.org)
Summer Dog Clothes: What To Look For
Best Dachshund Clothes For Summer
Summer dog clothes protect against harmful UVA and UVB sun rays. They are lightweight, breathable, and help keep your dog from licking off any applied sunscreen.
Benefit: If your dachshund has extra sensitive skin or is allergic to sunscreen, UV Dog Clothes are a nice alternative.
#1 Choice: Dog UV Shirt
PlayaPup Dog Sun Shirts are so adorable, I need to get one in every color! They are lightweight, stylish, and protect your dog from the sun. UPF 50+ fabrics block 98% of UVA and UVB, wet or dry. They are even great for water activities. The special stretchy fabric is soft, comfortable, and quick-drying.
Note: Check the size chart to get the best fit for your Dachshund.
I ordered my beagle / dachshund a size large (he is about 17 lbs) and I ordered a small for my miniature dachshund, Eko (he is 11 months old and around 10 lbs).
Eko’s new sun shirt is a little big on him, but that’s ok, he still has some growing to do. Luckily, he can still walk in it fine and of course he looks super cute in it. (pictured below)
Here is cute video of little Eko wearing his new sun shirt on YouTube.
#2: Ruffwear Cooling Vest
Since dogs don’t sweat to stay cool, they need some extra help on those hot summer walks and hikes. Cooling Dog vests provide and extra layer of cool and protect from the Sun’s UV Rays.
The Ruffwear Cooling Vest (from Amazon) allows dogs to stay cool and active in hot climates. The vests are water-activated…You simply have to soak the cooling vest in water, wring out and put it on your dog. The evaporative cooling-system pulls the heat from your dog’s body.
Even with a cooling vest, avoid going out in the midday heat with your dog. In the USA, avoid the sun during peak time: 10 am to 4 pm daylight saving time.
Note: Cooling vests are less effective on humid days because there is already a lot of moisture in the air = less evaporation.
#3: Dog Sun Hat
Cooling Dog Hats by K-9 Kool will keep your dog cool and comfortable in the hot sun. There are several different sizes, I prefer the long brimmed hat… since doxie’s have long noses. Handmade in the USA, this hat will help protect your dog’s eyes and provide UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
My dog, Bastian, is sporting a special doggie sunhat all the way from Australia. His Aunt wanted to give him a practical gift while she was visiting the country on vacation. He wore the hat with no issues and it looked pretty cute too.
#4: Cooling Bandana
If your Doxies aren’t all in favor of wearing a sun shirt or vest, there is still one more thing to try… a cooling bandana. The Chill Out Bandana is a great way to protect dogs from heat stroke. It is easy to use, you soak it in water and place around your dog’s neck with the velcro fastener.
The doggie bandana will help your doxie stay cool, but it doesn’t help with UV Protection.
Note: It is hand wash only
#5: Dog Boots
Dog Boots work really well to prevent dog paw burn and have the added protection against sharp, rough terrain while hiking. If your Dachshund is willing to wear a dog boot, this is the one to try:
#1 Choice: Xanday Dog Boots: This is a more rugged Dog Boot for hikes or walks. They are waterproof and washable.
If you don’t believe your Dachshund will wear dog boots, there are some other things you can do to Protect Your Dachshund’s Feet This Summer.
To avoid the extreme heat and the harmful UV rays, we are very careful what time of day we walk our dogs. It does take a little extra time to get ready, but it is worth keeping them extra safe.
How To Protect Your Dog From The Sun
Here are the best ways to protect your Dachshund’s delicate skin from the beating sun.
UV Protection: For my Dachshunds, I use a combination of sunscreen for their nose and ears, and the playa dog sun shirt to prevent sunburn.
Here are the best dog sunscreens I could find: Protect Your Dachshund From Sunburn.
Stay Hydrated: Always provide plenty of cool water for your Dachshund indoors and outdoors. They lose fluid through panting and they need to stay hydrated to stay cool. Take a water bottle with you and take several breaks in the shade to avoid dehydration.
Off Peak Activities: You can prevent Sunburn, Heatstroke, and Dehydration by taking walks and playing during the cooler parts of the day. Peak sunshine time is 10 am – 4 pm.
Stay Healthy: Dachshunds who are overweight will burn quicker! The extra fat surrounding their body acts as insulation and will hold the heat, which can cause heatstroke. Avoid feeding your Dachshund food scraps. Feed them a healthy dog food diet (my dachshund food recommendations).
Stay Inside: If it is too hot outside, stay cool inside with some house fans or take a cool dip in a puppy pool.
Why Do Dachshunds Overheat Easily?
Dogs don’t sweat like humans do. Dogs do have sweat glands in their paw pads and ear canals.
Your Dachshund will pant to cool off naturally. Panting helps them release extra body heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. But, when their body temperature gets too high, panting doesn’t cool down their body fast enough, and they are at risk for heatstroke.
Find out why Dachshunds are more at Risk for Heatstroke than you think.
How To Stay Cool This Summer
Utilizing UV protective Dachshund clothes for summer will help keep them cool and prevent sunburn.
For our daily walks, my doxies wear the playa dog sun shirts to protect their backs, bellies, and armpits. I apply dog sunscreen to their snouts and ears for face protection or put their doggie sun hats on (whatever they are willing to wear that day).
You can keep your wiener dog extra cool this summer by playing water games and munching on some yummy frozen dog treats. Here are some really easy ways to keep your Dachshund Cool This Summer.
Your dogs are both so calm when putting clothes on! These were all super cute. I wish the boys could have dog!
Thank you Stanley.