Dog hatsHand-knitted hats for Chihuahuas and small dogs
A dog hat keeps the ears warm and out of the wind, the part a coat or sweater leaves bare. Caperro knits two: the Pom-Pom Hood, with ear pockets and chin ties, and the Pom-Pom Beanie, with ear holes and no ties. Both are made by hand after you order, from €21.70, in head sizes from 15 to 33 cm.
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Hood or beanie?
Choose the hood for freezing, windy or snowy walks, and the beanie for milder cold or a dog who dislikes covered ears. The difference is the ears and how the hat stays on.
| Pom-Pom Hood | Pom-Pom Beanie | |
|---|---|---|
| Ears | Inside two knitted ear pockets, fully covered | Through two ear holes, free to move |
| Stays on with | Soft ties under the chin | Stretch only, nothing under the chin |
| Covers | Head and ears | Head, and wraps round the neck like a snood |
| Pom-poms | Two, one on each ear | One on top |
| Between sizes | Choose the smaller | Choose the larger |
| Colours | 13 | 10 |
| Best for | Freezing wind and snow; dogs who shake their heads | Milder cold; quick on and off |
Both are knitted from a 50% wool, 50% acrylic blend: wool holds the warmth on damp days, acrylic keeps the shape after washing.
Why a hat, when your dog already wears a sweater?
Because a sweater stops at the neck. Vets point out that even a dog in a coat still has its ears, tail and belly exposed, and those thin-skinned parts are the most exposed to frostbite in freezing weather. Wind chill and wet raise the risk further, because a dog loses heat faster in moving, damp air than in still, dry cold.
A hat is most useful for small dogs with large, thin ears: Chihuahuas, Papillons, Italian Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers. Long-haired small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus have more protection of their own and usually need a hat only in real wind or snow.
A hat adds comfort on a walk. It does not make it safe to stay out longer in dangerous cold. See how cold is too cold for a Chihuahua.
How a dog hat should fit
- Measure the head round the widest part: under the chin and over the top, just in front of the ears. That number picks the size.
- Eyes clear: the front edge sits above the eyebrows and never slides over the eyes.
- Ties loose enough for two fingers under the chin. Snug, never tight.
- Ears comfortable: in the hood each ear sits in its own pocket without folding; in the beanie the ears come straight through the holes.
- Off indoors and whenever your dog is alone. Warm homes are warm enough.
Tiny heads are where most hats fail: too big, sliding over the eyes. Ours start at a 15 cm head, with Custom for anything in between — see small dog clothes that fit. Full charts and how-to-measure steps are in the size guide. New to hats? Read how to put a hat on a dog.
Questions
Do dogs actually need hats?
Not every dog. A hat helps small, short-coated or thin-coated dogs on cold, windy or snowy walks: coats and sweaters leave the ears bare, and ears are one of the places vets name for frostbite risk in freezing weather. Dogs with thick double coats, like Huskies, rarely need one.
Is a hat safe for my dog?
Yes, when it fits and you stay with your dog. It should not press on the eyes, the ties should leave room for two fingers under the chin, and it comes off indoors and whenever your dog is left alone. Our pom-poms are made from the same yarn and sewn on firmly; still check them before each walk.
What size hat does a Chihuahua need?
Most Chihuahuas wear XXS: a head circumference of 18–20 cm (7–8 in). Measure under the chin and over the top of the head, then match the size chart.
Will my dog keep the hat on?
Most dogs stop noticing a hat within a few minutes. Start indoors with treats and short sessions. For dogs that shake their heads a lot, the hood with chin ties stays put better than the beanie.
Can a dog wear a knitted hat in snow or rain?
In snow and drizzle, yes: wool keeps its warmth even when slightly damp. After a wet walk, take it off, press the water out in a towel and let it dry flat. In heavy rain a damp hat against the ears does more harm than good, so keep those walks short.
Sources
- Michigan Humane — Ask the veterinarian: does my dog need a coat? — ears, tail and belly at frostbite risk even with a coat
- PetMD — Do some breeds actually need dog coats? — coats don't protect ears, tail or paws; avoid small parts a dog could swallow
- PetMD — Hypothermia in dogs (reviewed by Veronica Higgs, DVM) — wind chill and wet conditions raise the risk
- PDSA — Vet Q&A: does my dog need to wear a coat? — small breeds like Chihuahuas feel the cold quickly
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell or you are unsure, call your vet.
Read next
- ShopDog sweatersWhich dogs need a sweater, how a dog sweater should fit, and the Caperro cable sweater.
- ShopSmall dog clothes that fitWhy most dog clothes don't fit tiny dogs, and how sizes from XXXS and made-to-measure solve it.
- ShopChihuahua clothesWhy Chihuahuas feel the cold, which sizes fit them, and hats and sweaters made for tiny dogs.
- GuideHow to keep your dog warmSigns a dog is cold, what to do on walks and at home, and hypothermia first aid.
- GuideHow cold is too cold for a Chihuahua?Temperature bands for small dogs, what wind and wet change, and how long to stay out.
- GuideHow to put a hat on a dogGetting a dog used to a hat in five short steps, fitting the ears, and safe tying.
- SizingSize guideHow to measure head, neck, back and chest, with both size charts.