Helpful Tips to Stay on Top of Dog Grooming in the Winter
As winter approaches, it’s important to remember to bundle up and take special care of your skin, hair, and overall health. Just like the season affects most humans, it will also have a significant effect on your beloved pups. As a pet parent, you must stay on top of dog grooming to ensure they’re nice and comfortable.
While the winter is often associated with nice and dreamy weather, it can also wreak havoc on their grooming. It’s also a matter of health, safety, and comfort for them. So if you want them to weather the winter well, make sure you keep an eye on their grooming.
Now, in terms of upkeep, not much is different. You still have to do most of your regular grooming routines for them. The only difference is what you need to prioritize in the winter. Keeping them warm and moisturizing should be your number one priority.
Of course, other than that, should you take them out, you must ensure to get all the snow and debris out of their paws and fur. Their fur is also another vital part of their grooming routine. Most people make the mistake of ignoring the fur, thinking that it’ll be better for regulating their temperature.
Those people would only be half right. Yes, the fur will act as part of your dog’s defense mechanism against the cold. But to do that correctly, it must be adequately groomed.
Here are a few helpful dog grooming tips this coming winter:
Keep Them Warm and Dry
While baths can be a bit of a challenge during the winter, that doesn’t mean you start skipping them, right? So, why should your dog? You might think that you’re saving them from a rather uncomfortable situation, but the truth is, hygiene is still essential in the winter. There’s no season, hot or otherwise when your dog should be skipping baths.
The only thing you have to keep in mind during the cold season is to dry them off properly. Be careful not to let them air dry, which could make them sick or put their immune system at risk. Make sure you blow-dry them with hot or warm air. If bathing them with water is not an option, dry shampoo could be a suitable alternative.
Trim Their Fur
Another common misconception is that they don’t need trims or haircuts. Since they need their fur to keep themselves nice and warm, you might think it best to skip trimming their fur and such. However, it can become more difficult for your dog. There’s a difference between too long and just long enough.
It’s best to keep their fur at a manageable level to ensure that they don’t catch any unwanted parasites during the wintertime. While you should keep their hair longer than usual, you still have to trim some parts regularly.
Brush Their Coat
The winter season is lovely and all, but it’s also during this time that your dog’s fur will need the most attention. As we’ve mentioned, it acts as their protection against the cold. But underneath their coat will be dirt, dead hair, and tangles. It’s easier to miss those in the winter.
Safari Shedding Comb for Long-haired Dogs
To make sure their fur is perfectly clean and smooth, brush their coat for at least a hundred strokes. It will be good for their blood circulation and the distribution of oils throughout their coat.
The Bottom Line
Dog grooming in the winter is more than just about your beloved dog’s looks. It’s about their hygiene, health, and safety. It can be easy to miss certain issues or problems because of the cold, so make sure to keep a sharp eye on them. Other than that, you just need to continue what you’ve been doing with a few modifications. Stay safe and warm this winter with your pup!
If you’re still figuring your way around paw care, we’d like to help you. EarthWise Pet Supply and Grooming Marysville is a pet nutrition, dog grooming, and wellness spa in Washington. You can count on us to take good care of them. Our goal is to keep them as comfortable as possible, so let us know if there’s anything extra we can do to help!