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Ah, winter again!

Snow, salt, wind and below zero temperatures are bound to wreak havoc on your pet’s coat, skin, and paws. There seems to be a common misconception that dogs may not need to be groomed in the winter months due to an odd belief that a dog’s winter coat should be allowed to grow long as an added barrier against the cold. Or since a dog spends much more time indoors during the winter, there seems to be the idea that dogs aren’t getting as dirty as they would be during the warmer months.

The truth is that grooming during the winter months may in fact be more important than any other time of the year.

Long, wet, matted hair are prime breeding grounds for infection! In fact, fur that is matted, or pelted, doesn’t keep your dog warmer and can cause hot spots, pain or other skin conditions.

Pro Tip #1 – Regular Bathing

Do you find that in the winter your skin gets dried out, sometimes cracked and can even bleed? Your pet’s skin can suffer the same effects due to cold air, wind, and dry interior household temperatures.

The solution? A soothing oatmeal bath followed by a moisturizing conditioner can do wonders for the health and comfort of your pet’s skin and coat.

An extra piece of advice… always ensure your dog is dried properly to avoid moisture lingering on the skin and causing irritation.

Pro Tip #2 – Brushing

Regular brushing should always be considered important, no matter the time of year! But during the winter months, I give special attention to brushing my pet’s coat because the constant exposure to moisture is a recipe for disaster when it comes to matting.

Maintaining a dog’s fur with undercoat is equally important as it tends to hold moisture, potentially causing hot spots or bacterial infections on the skin. By using an undercoat rake like this one, you can reach down to the undercoat and help aerate it, helping to alleviate moisture build-up.

I really like the Safari brush we carry at the Countryside Store for home grooming. It is easy to use and strong enough to hold up to the tangles winter can bring on.

Pro Tip #3 – Nail Trimming

Walking your dog in the summertime, especially on concrete, can act as natural nail filing – free pet pampering, I know! But as walk-length decreases in the chilly winter months and snow ground coverage increases, your pet’s paws are coming into less contact with concrete and this naturally occurring trimming slows down.

It is important to make sure those nails aren’t getting too long as this can affect your dog’s over health (we’ll explore this in a later Ask the Groomer blog). If your pet doesn’t allow you to trim his or her nails safely at home, get them to a groomer regularly to keep those nails tidy!

Pro Tip #4 – Winter Haircut

You may have heard that pet myth (I love busting pet myths BTW) that winter “haircuts” compromise a dog’s ability to stay warm outside. While this can be partially true, most pets don’t (and shouldn’t) live outside. Rather they should be snug and warm inside with the family!

Going with a longer clip can keep your dog’s coat maintainable during the winter months and help alleviate some of the moisture problems we’ve already covered. It is fine to give your dog a haircut in the winter and gives us an excuse to go shopping for winter accessories for our fur babies. Matching Mommy/Fur Baby jackets anyone? Yes, please!

Pro Tip #5 – Paw Care

Caring for your best friend’s feet during the winter months is probably the most important tip I can give you.

Here’s the conundrum – your dog grows fluffy hair between the pads of their feet. While this provides some protection from the cold, it also tends to gather uncomfortable, icy snowballs. These can cause discomfort for your pet on walks and can lead to moisture between the pads of dog’s feet. We’ve already discussed the nuisance that moisture can cause during the winter so we won’t revisit that again here.

Drying your pet’s paws when you come in from a walk can help; keeping the hair between the pads trimmed is also beneficial; you may want to use a specially prepared paw salve (we’ll share a recipe shortly); or you may choose to invest in some snowshoes for your pooch. All of these are smart measures for caring for your pet this winter!

Probably the most important Pro Tip I can give you this winter to care for your pet is to give as many cuddles as possible! Snuggling up with your best friend is the best way to enjoy the Canadian winter.

Until next time!

               - Shana