A rug (UK), blanket(Equine and other livestock, US), or coat (canine and other companion animals, US) is a covering or garment made by humans to protect their pet

Pet

A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...

s from the elements, as in a horse rug or dog coat.

Rugs are also used to protect the pelage of show animals, particularly if the wool or fleece is to be judged, as in alpaca

Alpaca

An alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance.Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of to above sea level, throughout the year...

 fleece sent to an agricultural show

Agricultural show

An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...

, where it would be desirable to have the wool free from dirt and debris.

Horse rugs

Horse rugs are used for many reasons. They can be waterproof, to keep the horse dry in wet weather and allowing it to be turned out, used as a means of providing extra warmth, especially to clipped horses, to keep flies off the animal in summer, or to keep a horse clean.

Dog coats

Dog coats are also used functionally. They can, however, also be used as fashion accessories. Dog coats worn inside and not in response to the elements are primarily for show only. Examples of popular functional dog coats include: k9topcoat, Foggy Mountain Dog Coats, and BUB coat.