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4 tips for grooming your dog this winter

It is officially winter on the Coast and time to start your pup on a proper grooming routine for the colder months.

We believe a healthy pup is a happy pup, and as we begin to huddle around the fire and let our furry family members sneak into our beds and onto the couch a bit more (shh, we all do it!), it’s important to consider that dogs have different needs in winter compared to summer.

A healthy coat is like a thermos—it acts as a temperature regulator, keeping warmth in during the winter and keeping heat out in summer.

The key is to help your dog maintain a healthy coat throughout the seasons so it can regulate temperature properly. This requires basic care, such as bathing, brushing, keeping moisturized, eliminating mats and tangles.

To help your dog achieve that healthy winter coat, here are four dog grooming areas that need extra attention when cold days roll around.

1. Pay special attention to nails – In winter, most humans and dogs reduce their outdoor activities, and even if you’re still diligent about taking your dog for walks in the winter, the colder and wetter surfaces result in less friction so the nails will not wear down as much as they normally would.

2. Trim the hair between the toes – Hair that accumulates in the pads can become matted, and hold moisture from rain and mud, and even pick up rock salt and ice. For dogs, this feels similar to us walking around with rocks in our shoes. A great idea is to keep a bowl of warm water by the door and give each paw a little soak and dry after returning from any outdoor activities: the warm water easily melts away any loose dirt, and debris is shaken loose before it can burrow deeper.

3. Rubdowns & drying – Any time your dog is wet, whether it’s from playing in the ocean, running in the rain, or just following a bath, make sure to dry them thoroughly. In the winter this becomes especially important because your dog is just as susceptible to chills as you are.

4. Take care of dry skin – Dry dog skin can occur more often in winter for the same reason our skin can get drier in the winter—artificial, dry heat. Most dogs should get a good shampoo, condition, blow out, and brush about once a month. Also, consider adding supplements to your dog’s diet such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can be taken orally to help replenish natural skin oils.

Regular grooms are the best way to keep your dogs health and wellbeing in tip-top condition. Our mission is to help your pooch look, and feel, their best! Show your pet you care by booking them in this month and getting their coat, paws, and health on track with a standard, platinum, or gold package.

dog, dog groom, dogs, Grooming, winter grooming

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