Just because winter is here, does not mean you should stop caring for your dog’s coat. It is especially important in the cooler months because the hair is more likely to be stimulated in chilly weather. The result of this is increased hair growth and, without grooming, potential matting and skin problems.
Here are our simple, yet effective tips to ensure a healthy coat for your dog’s coat during winter.
- Brushing
This is one of the most vital grooming tips for winter, as regular brushing is the key to maintaining good skin and coat health. If your dogs’ coat goes un-brushed, resulting in mats, then a short shave is required to remove the dreads. Your poor pup
will be nude and potentially quite chilly in the winter! Therefore, ensure you are taking a few minutes every second day to keep those lovely long locks on your pup.
Although brushing your dogs’ coat removes knots from the hair, it is also helpful in revealing hidden nasties. Lumps, rashes, sores etc. are usually revealed when your dog has shorter hair, however, in the winter months these seem to go unnoticed and can sometimes be the cause for larger health issues.
- Hydro-baths
Hydro-baths are not only efficient in removing excess dead hair from your doggos hair; they are also excellent at moisturising skin. A regular bath keeps your dog’s skin and coat healthy and clean by removing dead hair with a warm, high-pressure showerhead. This aims to remove dead hair and skin that can lead up to bacteria build-up over time, resulting in flaky skin or other skin problems.
Whilst the dead hair is removed, using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner is also another prevention technique for dryness, ensuring luscious and healthy fur. For those pooches that suffer from very dry skin, especially in the winter months, oil-based shampoo is recommended. Keeping the skin moisturised balances out the oils and makes brushing much easier.
Blow-drys, another dry-skin prevention method, are also available to prevent your pup from getting chilly after their bath.
Feel free to drop in at Paddington Pups, preferably between 10am-3pm, for a bath and blow-dry!
- Nail Clips
Winter is a time for staying inside and cuddling with your pup. As great as this sounds, it also means that we go outside less and our dogs aren’t playing or walking on the concrete as much. This means that their nails are not naturally being worn down resulting in longer nail growth. Long nails can actually be harmful for the dog and should be done regularly. If you can hear the tiny tapping of nails on the floor, you know it is time for a manicure.
- Cracked Paws
Like our skin, dogs’ paws can become dry when exposed to cooler elements. If this cold is severe enough the pads can become cracked and potentially infected. An easy solution is to wipe your dog’s paws with a dry towel after each outing. Otherwise there are moisturising balms available to prevent the cracking.
- Jumpers
We know sometimes it might look a bit silly for your dog to be in a jumper, and its not always required. However, some dogs with less fur, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Vizslas etc. actually feel the cold. If your house has timber floorboards, or your pup sleeps outside, sometimes a jumper is necessary. With a short haired dog, generally following the simple rule of, if you’re cold your dog probably is, seems to be fairly accurate.
- Maintenance
In the winter, usually many stray from getting a groom for their dog because they believe it is too chilly. However, if your dog does not receive a groom for months on end, this can end up in many mats and poor coat health. It would be beneficial for your dog to get a maintenance groom in the cooler months. A maintenance groom removes hair from the hygiene areas such as the face, feet and their backside. This groom allows for a tidy up without making your dog nude. Feel free to call or email us to make a booking today, or visit our website to view our range of services.