Keep you and your pup dry this spring.
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Don’t let April showers keep you indoors!
Many of us find ourselves walking more than usual this month! It’s a great way to break up the day and to get outside safely. Obviously still maintain distance from others, and consider wearing a mask.
Quarantine-related measures aside, walking in these April showers can be peaceful and relaxing, assuming you and your pup have the right gear to stay warm and dry! Remember: There’s no bad weather, only bad gear.
I searched for the best rain gear for dog walks, and I wanted to share some finds and some recommendations for you and your pup. (BTW, if you love a reactive dog like Cooper, you know that April showers make for prime walking weather!)
Rain Boots for You
Hunter boots, aka “wellies,” are the standard for keeping feet dry. You can get just about any color/size combo, and they are so easy to clean. They are pricey, depending on the color and finish you choose, but last for ages.
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable OR something a little cuter, check out these dalmatian print boots. SO CUTE!! Based on the reviews, though, these probably won’t last you more than a season, so the Hunter boots might just be worth the investment.
Rain Boots for Your Dog
Depending on where you live, it might still be super cold in April. Here in Indiana, we’ve gone from a little bit of snow to upwards of 80 degrees to a major hail storm to sunny-but-30-degrees. Boots keep your pup’s feet warm and dry, if needed, or if you don’t want to clean muddy paws each time you come in. I recommend Ruffwear or Kurgo. One warning: If you choose Ruffwear, make sure you select 4 boots in the dropdown! I’m not sure why they do it, but the product listing defaults to a set of 2. Kinda tricky if you’re not paying attention.
Hat for You
This might be personal preference, but I don’t use an umbrella when I walk Cooper in the rain. I need both hands free to balance leash, pickup bags (these), and my can of squeeze cheese. If your dog isn’t reactive like Cooper, an umbrella might work for you. My go-to, though, is a regular old baseball cap. There are tons of adorable rain hats (like this one), but if it’s windy, I don’t want to worry about my hat blowing away. Is that just me?
Rain Coats for You
I bought a neon yellow rain coat at a running event a couple years ago because I wanted something that would ensure we’d be seen in fog, rain, early mornings, and so on. I chose neon for safety, and I highly recommend you do, too, or something reflective. Ideally a mix of both. I can’t find my exact one, but it’s similar to this. (Unrelated confession: My first thought when clicking through that listing was, “Huh. That model sure has a lot of face tattoos…”)
Rain Coats for Your Dog
Like the point above, I highly recommend finding a coat for your dog that has some reflective piping or panels. Those elements on a coat can help you be seen in inclement conditions, which keeps you and your dog safer. Cooper inherited a red Ruffwear jacket from Emmett, so it’s going on more than 10 years old at this point. A good investment, I’d say! They don’t make that exact style anymore, but it’s basically this. Kurgo makes a similar, more affordable version, too. Whatever you buy, just make sure it’s machine wash and dry!
Bottom Line: Get outdoors!
Getting outside is good for you and your pup! It’s good for your and your dog’s physical and mental health–both of which need to be safeguarded during these trying times. Crummy weather or no, a stroll around the neighborhood or a walk down a tree-lined path do a world of good for you both. Don’t let April showers stop you!
Have you been walking much lately? Is spring roaring in like a lion near you?
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
