Depending on the breed of your senior dog, warmth can become an issue.
They don't move around quite as much and with the colder weather approaching you may not be turning the heat up too high to save on heating bills especially overnight.
If you dog has arthritis, the colder temps may aggravate them and cause pain and therefore less movement. Smaller dogs are especially susceptible to cold. You can get them warm blankets to snuggle under especially in the evenings while watching TV, or a heated dog bed to keep them toasty and warm all night long. They can crawl under your comforter at night, but you can also get them dog pajamas.
These are actually neat if you like them in your bed, as the dog jammies contain a lot of the dog hair. They are not only cute, they signal that it is quiet time and close to bed.
If you often dress your fur children, then it is only natural to have a pair of dog jammies for them to wear. They are totally washable, and will give them that extra layer of warmth if your home is cooler especially at night.
These are adorable and totally washable. A full sweater may be to hot but a light layer such as with these dog pjs will be enough to keep them from getting chilled especially if you groom your dog and therefore not much fur protection. Keeping them warm and snuggly in their senior years is key to a happier dog.
My own dog, Sasha is 65 pounds and still full of fur, so she is quite happy with just her cozy soft dog bed at night, but many little dogs need more than that.
This can be a sign that they are cold. If you keep your house quite cool at night because you are sleeping under blankets and to save money, you dog may feel the cold and try to tuck himself into a tiny ball. Feel his feet and ears, if they feel chilled then pajamas might be in order. They are an affordable option for keeping your senior dog warm and happy.
If they are not a fan of blankets, or even their own beds, then actually wearing that extra layer can keep them warmer and more agile
There are so many styles and patterns online, it can be hard to choose. Just make sure you measure properly as in the diagram below to get the right size. Once you do, stick with that manufacturer for extra pairs so you know they fit.
Follow the chart with the manufacturer you have chosen to get the right size. Every maker is slightly different and you don't want to be disappointed. Some will ask for actual measurements such as the chart above and others will have a chart such as the one below.
Once you get the right size, get your senior dog, especially the smaller groomed ones, some doggy pj's for him to be comfy in all night. Comfort is key to a happy retirement. Yes, it may mean a little bit of investing, but I know with my dog, a softer warmer dog bed was all it took to make her less creaky the next day.
Pay Attention to Signs of Distress
With my dog Sasha, she kept getting up from her bed (which was a struggle with her arthritis) and doing circles and then flopping back down as if to find a comfortable spot. I realized that her bed had seen better days and as an older dog, it was time for something softer and more padding.
This may be all your pooch will need, but if he is tiny and normally wears sweaters and coats to stay warm outdoors, chances are he may need that extra layer of warmth indoors at night also.