Good Dog Grooming During The Winter Months

Although dogs usually don’t spend as much time outdoors getting into dirt and mud during winter as they do in summer, regular grooming is still important. Taking care of their coat, skin and nails in winter helps them stay healthy all season long. Keep the following good dog grooming tips in mind this winter.

Give Moisturizing Baths:

Even if dogs don’t seem to get as dirty in winter as they do in summer, you should still give them baths on a regular basis. Depending on the length and type of coat they have, they might need a bath every other week or only once a month. Since heated air inside homes during winter can dry out your dog’s skin, use a dog shampoo that’s moisturizing. Make sure that your dog is fully dry if you plan on going for a walk afterwards. Damp or wet skin can put your dog at risk of getting hypothermia.

Brush Regularly:

Some dogs end up with thick winter coats that can get matted or tangled easily. Brushing your dog on a regular basis, such as once a day or a few times a week, is another good dog grooming tip. Brushing helps spread natural oils through your dog’s skin and coat, which keeps them healthy.

Trim Your Dog’s Nails:

Dog nails tend to grow longer in a shorter amount of time during the winter months, since they’re not out running around on sidewalks or other hard surfaces as much. Check your dog’s nail length more often in winter. Trim the nails down if they make a clicking sound while your dog walks around.

Check Your Dog’s Paws:

The pads on your dog’s paws can become sore and irritated from walking around on salt, ice and snow during daily walks. Wipe your dog’s paws off with a towel as soon as you come inside, and examine the pads for any signs of irritation or sores. Keeping longer hair trimmed on the bottom of your dog’s paws stops ice and snow from accumulating on the pads.