Do Dogs Need Pyjamas? How to Keep Your Dog Warm at Night

Most healthy dogs don't need pyjamas. A thick double coat, a decent bed and a draught-free room keep the average dog perfectly cosy overnight. But some dogs genuinely do feel the cold at night: short or thin-coated breeds, small dogs, lean sighthounds, seniors, arthritic dogs, freshly clipped dogs, hairless breeds and any dog sleeping in a chilly house. For them, a light, breathable pair of dog pyjamas (or dog pajamas, if you spell it the American way) can be one useful layer in a warm sleep set-up, never the whole answer.

Do dogs need pyjamas? The honest answer

Dogs evolved to sleep in their own fur, and plenty of them do so happily all year. UK vet charity PDSA notes that a dog's fur is usually enough to keep them warm, but that dogs with thinner fur, or those who are older or unwell, can feel the chill more.⁵ A US veterinary group adds that small dogs don't generate or hold as much body heat as large dogs, that fine-haired dogs with low body fat get cold faster, and that conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes can interfere with a dog's ability to hold its temperature.⁷

So the real question is whether your dog needs extra warmth at night. Often the answer is a better bed. Sometimes it's a light layer too.

Dogs that are more likely to benefit

Type of dog	Why they get cold	What usually helps most
Short or thin coats (Staffies, Frenchies, Boxers, Pugs)	Close coat traps little warm air5,7	Raised bed, blanket, light layer on cold nights
Small and toy breeds	Lose heat faster than big dogs7	Enclosed or burrow bed, blanket
Lean sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets)	Fine coat, little body fat7	Thick padded bed, blanket, light layer
Seniors and arthritic dogs	Cold can make stiff joints worse5,8	Orthopaedic or raised bed, warm room
Freshly clipped dogs (Cavoodles, Poodle crosses)	The insulating coat has just been removed	Blanket, light layer until the coat grows back
Hairless breeds (Chinese Crested, Xolo)	Exposed skin, sensitive to temperature extremes9	Warm room, blanket, a light layer
Healthy double-coated breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds)	Bred for cold climates7	Usually nothing extra, and they may overheat in clothes

Is my dog cold at night? What the research says

Honestly, there's surprisingly little research on the ideal sleeping temperature for pet dogs, and what exists is small. Treat it as a guide, not a rule.

• No single "comfort zone". A University of Adelaide review notes that thermoneutral zones (the range where a dog doesn't need to spend extra energy to stay warm or cool) have been estimated with different methods on different dogs. Estimates range from 16–24°C (61–75°F) for Greyhounds to 23–27°C (73–81°F) for three small mixed-breed dogs.¹
• Temperature affects sleep. A 2022 study that filmed 13 kennelled dogs for eight months found night-time sleep fell as temperatures rose.² Too warm is a problem too, not just too cold.
• A layer can help in the cold. A 2026 New Zealand trial on eight working-breed dogs in outdoor kennels found they spent 48.1% of the night asleep when wearing a coat, compared with 40.0% without.³ It's a tiny study of outdoor farm dogs in mild spring weather, so it doesn't prove indoor pets need pyjamas. It does suggest that thermal comfort matters for sleep.
• Posture is a clue. A veterinary behaviourist at NC State explains that tucking into a ball conserves body heat, while a dog that sprawls out is probably warm or feels very safe.⁴

As for room temperature, the RSPCA in the UK has advised that dogs should not be sleeping in temperatures below 10°C (50°F).¹⁰ That's a floor, not a target. Small, thin-coated, senior and unwell dogs will want it warmer than that. Watch for shivering, curling into a tight ball, hunting for warm spots or reluctance to leave the bed. Our guide on how to tell if your dog is cold covers the signs in detail. Shivering that stops, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness or pale gums can point to hypothermia, which needs a vet straight away.⁶

How to keep your dog warm at night (without clothes)

Before you reach for pyjamas, sort out where and how your dog sleeps. These steps do the heavy lifting.

1. Get the bed off the floor. Tiles, concrete and floorboards pull heat out of a sleeping body. RSPCA Queensland recommends keeping beds raised off cold, hard surfaces and away from draughts, and PDSA suggests raised beds for older dogs for the same reason.^8,5
2. Find a draught-free spot. Not next to an external door, under a window or in a hallway with a breeze. PDSA's hypothermia advice is a warm, comfy bed in a draught-free part of the house.⁶
3. Add blankets. A few extra blankets over winter help pets stay cosy.⁵ Put one underneath for insulation and one loose on top for dogs who like to burrow.
4. Try an igloo, cave or burrow bed. Terriers, Dachshunds and thin-coated dogs like Whippets are known for loving a spot under cover.¹¹ A covered bed holds body heat around your dog and gives them a den-like place to curl up.
5. Warm the room, sensibly. Keep the sleeping room comfortably above 10°C (50°F),¹⁰ and warmer for vulnerable dogs. Keep heaters out of reach and make sure your dog can move away from any heat source.
6. Think about older joints. PDSA recommends an extra-warm or orthopaedic bed for older pets whose joints stiffen in the cold.⁵ If your senior is stiff, licking joints or struggling with stairs, RSPCA Queensland suggests a vet check.⁸

Walks are a different job, and the answer there is a proper insulated coat or jumper, not pyjamas. See at what temperature a dog needs a coat.

Do dogs like blankets?

Many do. An applied animal behaviourist at the AKC suggests burrowing may be a leftover denning instinct, and that covers can keep a dog warm, help it feel safe and comfort it during storms or fireworks.¹¹ Some dogs prefer lying on top. Let your dog choose.

Blanket safety

• Always leave an exit. Covers should be light and breathable, and your dog should be able to come out from under them easily.¹² Tightly tucked sheets or heavy doonas can trap a dog, and it can get hard to breathe or overheat underneath.¹¹
• Watch the chewers. Puppies and young dogs need more supervision with blankets. Shredded blankets and loose threads can be swallowed and cause a blockage.¹²
• Be careful with electric and heated blankets. A PetMD vet says never use one without direct supervision, warns chewed cords can burn or electrocute, and says temperature-sensitive breeds like English Bulldogs shouldn't use them at all.¹²

What about weighted blankets for dogs?

Skip them unless your vet specifically recommends one. Veterinary advice on PetMD is blunt: never use a weighted blanket for your pets, as they can get trapped or injured quickly.¹² A board-certified veterinary behaviourist adds that human weighted blankets may be too heavy for pets, extra weight on the chest can make breathing harder (especially for flat-faced breeds), and swallowed filler beads can cause an intestinal blockage needing surgery.¹³

What about the idea that gentle pressure calms anxious dogs? A 2024 systematic review of pressure wraps found only four studies that qualified and rated the evidence as weak and limited.¹⁴ If your dog is anxious at night, talk to your vet or a qualified behaviourist rather than adding weight to the bed.

Should my dog wear pyjamas to bed? How to do it safely

If your dog feels the cold and the bed is already sorted, pyjamas can take the edge off a cool night. They won't make up for a freezing room or a bed on bare tiles.

Pyjama safety checklist

• Breathable fabric. Your dog cools down mostly by panting, not sweating,¹ so a layer that traps heat can tip a warm dog into too warm.
• Correct fit. Snug enough not to twist or tangle, loose enough to walk, curl up and breathe freely.
• No loose ties or cords. They can snag or get chewed off.
• Take it off if your dog is warm. Panting at rest, restlessness, seeking cool floors or sprawling out are all signs. One vet group warns that a dog wearing a coat indoors can overheat quickly,⁷ and RSPCA Queensland says coats should come off when your pet is near a heater or fire.⁸ The same logic applies to pyjamas.
• Supervise the first few nights. Check your dog isn't chewing, rubbing or getting tangled. Pieces of clothing are a known cause of gut obstructions, which are emergencies that often need surgery.¹⁵ If your dog chews fabric, pyjamas aren't for unsupervised sleep.
• Extra care with flat-faced breeds. A large UK study of vet records found brachycephalic dogs, including French Bulldogs, were at greater risk of heat-related illness.¹⁶ Frenchies, Pugs and Bulldogs can get cold on thin coats, but they can also overheat fast. Use the lightest layer, keep the room moderate and check on them. Heatstroke is an emergency: go straight to a vet.

Cotton vs fleece pyjamas

Fleece is warmer, which is exactly why it's easy to overshoot with a dog snoozing under a blanket in a heated room. Lighter, breathable cotton suits most indoor sleepers, especially flat-faced breeds and dogs that run hot. Fleece makes more sense for a thin-coated dog in a genuinely cold house, as long as you check it isn't panting.

Our own pyjamas use the same 190gsm stretch cotton with 5% spandex as our dog shirts, with a front hem that sits higher than the back for midnight toilet trips, in XS–XXL. They're a light base layer for indoors and cool evenings, not winter outerwear.

For sizing help, we've already covered the details. See dog pyjamas for Cavoodles, Staffies and Frenchies for breed-by-breed sizes, and how to choose pyjamas for French Bulldogs for Frenchie-specific tips.

Pyjamas after surgery: only with your vet's OK

Cones (Elizabethan collars) can be hard on pets. In a University of Sydney survey of 434 owners, most reported a lower quality of life for their pet while it wore one. The researchers suggested exploring alternatives, including clothing and body wraps.¹⁷ That doesn't mean pyjamas are a safe cone replacement. Whether a garment protects a particular wound or stitches well enough is your vet's decision. Ask before you swap.

Getting your dog used to pyjamas

Don't debut them at lights-out. Start with short, happy daytime sessions, rewarding each small step, and go back a step if your dog freezes or tries to wriggle out. Our step-by-step guide on how to get your dog to like wearing clothes walks you through it. If your dog still clearly hates them, warm the bed instead. That's a perfectly good answer.

FAQs

Do dogs need pyjamas in winter?

Most healthy dogs with a normal or thick coat don't, as long as they sleep indoors in a warm, draught-free bed. Short-coated, small, lean, senior, arthritic, hairless or freshly clipped dogs may appreciate a light layer on cold nights. Fix the bed and room first.

Is it OK for my dog to sleep in clothes?

It can be, if the garment is breathable, fits well, has no ties and your dog isn't a fabric chewer. Supervise the first few nights and take it off if your dog pants, seems restless or feels warm. Never leave a dog in clothes next to a heater.

How cold is too cold for a dog at night?

There's no single number for every dog, because coat, size, age and health all change the answer.^1,7 The RSPCA in the UK has said dogs shouldn't sleep in temperatures below 10°C (50°F).¹⁰ Vulnerable dogs need it warmer, and any dog that's shivering needs warming up.

Should I cover my dog with a blanket at night?

If your dog likes it, yes. Use a light, breathable blanket and make sure they can get out from under it easily.¹² Don't tuck it in tightly, and don't use weighted blankets.

Do French Bulldogs need pyjamas?

Frenchies have short coats and can feel the cold, but as a flat-faced breed they're also prone to overheating.¹⁶ If you use pyjamas, choose a light breathable fabric, keep the room moderate and check on them through the night.

References

1. McNicholl J, Howarth GS, Hazel SJ (2016). Influence of the Environment on Body Temperature of Racing Greyhounds. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
2. Schork IG, et al. (2022). How environmental conditions affect sleep? An investigation in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Behavioural Processes 199: 104662.
3. Wang T, Smit M, Cai X, et al. (2026). Accelerometry-Based Assessment of Overnight Coat Use on Dog Sleep and Activity Patterns: Implications for Farm Dog Welfare. Animals. See also the Massey University thesis.
4. Vetstreet. Why Does My Dog… Curl Up in a Ball When He Sleeps? (quoting Dr Margaret Gruen, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine).
5. PDSA. Pet care in winter
6. PDSA Pet Health Hub. Hypothermia in pets
7. Small Door Veterinary. Does my dog need a coat in winter?
8. RSPCA Queensland. Care for your pet in winter
9. VCA Animal Hospitals. Chinese Crested
10. STV News (2021). Advice for looking after pets as temperatures plummet (reporting RSPCA advice from Dr Sam Gaines).
11. American Kennel Club. Why Do Dogs Crawl Under the Covers? When It's Cause for Concern
12. Morrison BJ, DVM. PetMD. Blanket Safety for Pets
13. Sung W, DVM, DACVB. PetMD. Are Anxiety Blankets Safe for Pets?
14. Mathis S, et al. (2024). A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Compression Wraps as an Anxiolytic in Domesticated Dogs. Animals 14(23): 3445.
15. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. Gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction in dogs
16. Hall E, Carter A, et al. (2020). Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. Scientific Reports 10: 9128.
17. The University of Sydney (2020). The 'cone of shame' makes pets miserable