Reflective Dog Leads, Coats and Jackets: How to Stay Seen on Dark Winter Walks

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. From that week, sunset in the UK lands before most of us finish work, and the evening dog walk happens in the dark.

Your dog still needs that walk. The change is what you both wear. Here's how to make sure drivers, cyclists and other walkers see you both, from the first step out of the door.

Can drivers actually see your dog?

Most dogs sit below headlight height, and dark coats disappear against wet roads and hedges. A driver may spot you and miss the dog at the end of the lead.

Reflective kit works by bouncing light from headlights straight back to the driver. The more of you, your dog and the lead that reflects, the clearer your outline becomes.

For you: a reflective jacket for dog walking

Start with the layer that covers the most of you. Our reflective walking jacket gives 360-degree reflectivity, so you're visible from the front, back and sides.

It's waterproof, which matters on a wet November evening, and comes in sizes Small to 4XL. It's also one of our bestsellers.

For your dog: a reflective dog coat

A reflective dog jacket puts light where drivers are least likely to look: low down and moving. Our dog jackets are light, machine-washable and reflective, so they're easy to throw on and easy to clean after a muddy walk.

[Image: black Labrador in reflective dog jacket on a woodland path. Alt text: black Labrador wearing a reflective hi vis dog coat]

New: reflective dog leads

The lead is the part people forget. It's the line between you and your dog, and when it reflects, drivers can see that you're together.

Our new reflective dog leads complete the set: you, your dog and the lead, all visible in headlights.

Your five-point checklist for dog walking in the dark

1. Wear a reflective layer on your top half, where headlights hit first.
2. Put a reflective coat on your dog so it's visible at low levels.
3. Use a reflective or hi-vis dog lead so you read as one unit.
4. Walk facing oncoming traffic where there's no pavement.
5. Keep your dog on a short lead near roads after dark.

Get the Pet Edit

The darker walks start this month. Kit you and your dog out now, so the evening walk feels just as easy in November as it did in July.

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