Tips For Grooming Your Dog This Winter

The leaves are falling and the temperatures are dropping and that can mean only one thing – winter is coming! Time to get warm by digging out those winter coats from the closet!

But what about your dog’s coat? Grooming your dog’s coat is not just a spring or summer activity. In fact, keeping up with your dog’s coat in the winter months is likely more important for their health and safety. Let’s take a look at all the winter grooming tips you need to know to keep your furry friend happy!

Why does your dog need grooming in the winter?

A dog’s coat is a two-way protector of temperature – it keeps them cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months. But should a dog’s coat still be groomed in winter? Absolutely! Here are 3 reasons why grooming your dog in the winter is essential for them to maintain a healthy coat and body:

Take out the tangles

If you have ever seen a dog jump in a fluffy white pile of snow, you know all too well how quickly their fur can get wet and matted! Maintaining a daily or weekly brushing schedule will not only ensure your dog’s coat stays clear of any tangles, but it will also help to rid of any unwanted salt or snow that could cause irritation.

Don’t be fooled into thinking more hair in winter will keep your dog warmer! Good winter hygiene for your dog means brushing frequently to de-shed any extra build up of hair. Their coats will naturally do what they do best in keeping them warm!

Protect the paws

If you live in a state that gets lots of snow in the winter, then you know the snowplows are famous for dumping chemicals on the ground to make the ice melt quickly for safer driving. But those chemicals are not pet-friendly!  Wiping down your dog’s paws after every snowy romp is very important to make sure they don’t have any residue left behind that they could potentially lick off later!

And don’t forget to trim your pup’s nails more frequently in the winter, too! Winter walks are much softer in the snow and mud so your dog doesn’t get the chance to naturally file their nails on the concrete like they do in hotter months! 

Keep skin hydrated

What’s the first thing you do when the temperatures get colder? Turn on the heat inside! But guess what? That artificial heat is what makes our skin drier in the winter and it also does the same thing to our dog’s skin, too! A dog’s coat is only as healthy as the skin below it, and staying hydrated in the winter is key!

If you normally bathe your dog once a month in the hotter months, increase that frequency to twice a month during winter. Just be sure to use comfortable warm water and a moisture rich shampoo or conditioner so you can keep the skin hydrated and the dry patches at bay!

Winter clean dog tips

Snowy dog walks and muddy puddle jumps can make for a dirty dog! So how do you make sure they don’t track winter in from the outside? Here are some tips on keeping your dog clean this winter:

• Keep a dry towel by the front door to wipe down muddy, wet paws
• Get your dog some snow booties to protect their paws and your floors!
• Be sure to wash their bed often! With the Topology Dog Bed designed by Omlet you can buy extra toppers to use throughout winter for the fresh, clean sheet feeling! And, bonus – they are all machine washable!

Does winter dog grooming differ from state to state?

Depending on what part of the country you live in, your winters may not be as harsh as others. But don’t let geography stop you from making sure your dog’s coat is still well-groomed!

Dogs who live in the “endless summer” states, like Florida, Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana, may only get a few weeks (or even just a few days!) of colder temperatures each winter. Even though they may not be running through plump pillows of snow, your dog’s skin is still affected by the change in temperature, so be sure to keep up a regular schedule of brushing and bathing if you live in the South!

For northern state residents, like those in Vermont, Maine and Minnesota, a well-prepared grooming routine is essential for your dog’s health! If you live in a state where every potty break is like walking in a winter wonderland, consider getting your dog some shoes to help protect their paws even more! Warm dog paws give way to warm dog hearts!

Tips for grooming long hair dogs in winter

Long haired dog owners listen up! Yes, that extra fur on your dog will provide greater warmth, but it’s also a magnet for tangles when wet. 

There’s a big misconception that long-haired dogs can be left ungroomed when the temperatures dip because that extra hair will keep them extra warm. Let’s debunk that myth with a few key tips:

• Follow the snow rule! Bathing and brushing your long-haired dog should be kept consistent in the winter, but best to always follow the snow rule: When outside play leaves your dog with lots of snow, a warm bath with shampoo should quickly follow!

• Coats for coats! If your winters see more temperatures below freezing than above, consider getting your long-haired dog a coat of their own. Even though they have all that fur, they could still use some extra protection on walks and outdoor play!

• Add extra layers! Who doesn’t love a good snuggle under a cuddly blanket after coming in from the cold? Cover your dog in cozy with a soft, warm blanket that you can layer on their dog bed for extra warmth!

Tips for grooming short hair dogs in winter

Short-haired dogs tend to feel the cold quicker than their long-haired counterparts, so when winter arrives, make sure you are prepared! Here are a few important tips to make sure your shorter hair dog stays warm and healthy this winter.

• Lots of layers! Your short-haired dog may be your best friend but in winter, sweaters and jackets are theirs. The best way to keep your dog’s coat healthy when it’s cold is to give them extra warmth protection!

• Protect the paws! Most short-haired dogs do not originate from colder climates, so they are not as naturally equipped to deal with winter. To keep their feet warm and dry on walks, invest in some dog booties! 

• Indoor play! If winter is a season that stays around for a long time where you live, you need to get creative with how you can still give your short-haired dog playtime without freezing! Stock up on lots of dog toys and turn your living room into a pup playground for winter! 

When do dogs lose their winter coats?

Around the same time we start to pack our wooly winter coats back in the closet, our dogs are starting to shed their winter coats too. In fact, you will know spring is around the corner by the amount of furballs you start to see on your floor! The term “spring cleaning” likely came from a dog owner who knows all too well how much fur can be accumulated when winter fades away.

But don’t let this natural shedding process stop the dog grooming routines! Continued daily or weekly brushing, depending on dog breed, is essential during this season change as it will help to keep your dog’s coat healthy. 

Keeping up with your dog’s coat in the winter is easy as long as you are prepared. So before you move your thermostat from AC to heat, be sure you have plenty of dog brushes, pup shampoo and dog blankets to get your winter grooming routine ready! Oh, and keeping damp and mud at bay with an easy clean dog bed isn’t a bad idea either!

This entry was posted in Dogs