It’s harder to maintain good grooming habits for yourself and your pet during the winter. Cold and wet weather take their toll. For a pet, the effects of being neglected can lead to chronic itching and other discomfort. It’s necessary to groom your pet to keep their skin, coat and paws healthy during the winter. Below are some tips for dog and cat owners to help keep their pets in good health during the winter.
Keep brushing, even when the coat is thick
Many animals increase their coat thickness in autumn, and that added fur requires more maintenance. Loose hair can get matted, and that trapped moisture causes irritation and infection. Brushing helps to remove dead hair and oils and lets you check for lumps. Long-haired breeds especially need to be brushed daily to get rid of knots, and that includes the hair around the ears and tail and between the legs. Choose a brush appropriate for your pet’s fur type and use it to help spread your pet’s natural oils. Once your pet gets matted fur, have a groomer help remove it. If your pet has a thick undercoat, have the groomer remove the undercoat as well, as matting can happen there too.
Resist the urge to clip too short
When a dog gets muddy, it can be easy to think of a quick trim to help clean them up. However, hair is a good insulator and trimming too much in winter can leave a dog even more cold, particularly if they are small or old. To prevent this, only trim if necessary. If a dog is muddy or snowy, trim the hair around the paws and the belly. Also, trimming the long hair (if they have any) that’s around the tail, back legs and neck (called feathering) can help keep mud and snow away. If you are not sure how much to trim, a groomer can give you a good guideline on how to keep the dog looking nice without leaving them too cold.
Look after paws and nails
Wet and wintry conditions can lead to cracked, sore paws. Irritants can build up between the toes of dogs. On your return from a walk, clean your dog’s paws with a damp cloth. Then check for cuts, inflammation, or swelling. Apply protective balm before each walk to condition paws and to encourage the build up of a protective barrier. The hair between the paw pads can be trimmed to prevent build-up. Make sure your dog’s nails are a sensible length too, as longer nails can lead to the toes splaying, making it difficult for your dog to gain purchase on slippery surfaces.
Bathing without drying out the skin
Central heating strips the natural oils from your pet’s skin. Frequent baths, especially with human shampoos, can dry out your pet’s skin. Only bathe your pet when necessary. Use a mild shampoo made specifically for animals. Rinse the shampoo off thoroughly. Residual shampoo can itch your pet. Dry your pet thoroughly with a towel, and a low warm setting on a pet hair dryer. For a less extreme example of muddy pet, a quick rinse of legs and belly can do the trick, as long as a good towel dry follows.
Cats need winter care too
Cats mostly groom themselves, but they tend to appreciate a little help, especially with seasonal changes. Brushing helps longhaired cats avoid matting and shedding, and decreases the number of hairballs. Some older cats, as well as those that have arthritis, may have a hard time grooming themselves and appreciate help. Check your cat’s skin for dryness or flaking, and provide them with a warm, comfortable, and draft-free place to sleep. If your cat goes outside, have them shake off any water they may have collected in their fur, and look for foreign objects in their fur.
Know when to ask a professional
A trip to the groomers can benefit your pet in a number of ways in winter. For one, your pet can come back from their trip with their coat clean and free of loose hair. On top of that, a professional can catch issues your pet may be suffering from, whether that be skin conditions, ear infections, overgrown nails and more. If your pet has a matted coat, do not try to remove the mats yourself as it can easily injure your pet. With the holiday season right around the corner, consider making your pet’s grooming appointment soon. A professional can help more than you may expect.
Comfort all winter long
A little effort every day helps your pet feel more comfortable during the colder months. You should keep up brushing, watch paws, and take care not to bathe them too often. Leaving plenty of coat keeps your pet warm, and they don’t have to waste precious body heat trying to grow a new coat. The right tools make the job go much faster and easier. This means the routine becomes quick and easy. Taking the time to take care of your pet this way each day helps them feel loved and appreciated. They also stay happy and healthy.