We love having our furry friends around, and with the cooler months ahead of us, most dog owners believe dogs need longer coats and a welcome rest from regular grooming because it will make them cold and uncomfortable. These are common misconceptions if you want to avoid matting skin problems and other associated issues.
Here are five grooming tips for looking after a man’s best friend this season:
1. BRUSHING & DEMATTING
To prevent matting or knots, brush your pet’s coat at least once a day using a slick and good-quality brush that gets right into your dog’s coat. This will help remove sheds, detangle any knots and distribute the natural oils in your dog’s coast to combat dryness.
Try combing the coat after brushing to ensure you haven’t missed any forming knots. For dogs with longer coats, part their hair and comb right down into it, working in sections for ease.
It’s important to remember to brush and de-matt before bath time as matts and knots get worse when they get wet.
2. CONDITIONING
Dry air is a killer in the winter, sucking the moisture out of your dog’s skin and fur. This can lead to irritated and itchy skin and fur that doesn’t keep your dog as warm as it should.
Regular bathing will help get rid of anything that’s an irritant, but make sure you use conditioner to replace the oils stripped by the shampoo and alleviate any itchiness. If you haven’t used conditioner, winter is the perfect time to add an ultra-moisturising conditioner to your dog’s bathing routine.
3. NAIL & PAWS TRIMMING
Make it a habit to check your dog’s paws after each walk for mud balls or anything that may be caught between their pads. Wipe their feet down at the door with a face cloth, pet wipe or towel to ensure they are clean and dry.
Long hair between the pads on your dog’s paws can be uncomfortable and catch things like burrs and sand, while excess hair under the pad can bunch and cause slipping. To prevent either of these possibilities from pestering your dog, all you need to do is keep the fur around their paws trimmed.
While you are there, check their toenails regularly to see if it is time for a trim. Nails should be clipped regularly. Long nails make it difficult to make proper contact with the ground, pushing the toes outwards and making it uncomfortable to walk.
4. COAT TRIMMING
Most owners will want to leave their dogs’ coats untrimmed all throughout the winter season. But dogs naturally grow thicker coats as the cold weather stimulates hair growth to help them combat the cold in winter. Regular trimming is key in keeping their coat in top shape. You can always opt for a slightly longer length if you are worried about their warmth.
5. EAR CLEANING
A healthy, clean ear looks pink, odourless and free from dirt. If they look dirty or you notice that your dog is shaking their head more frequently, it’s time for a clean. Use a veterinarian-approved ear-cleaning solution and a piece of cotton wool to wipe your dog’s ear down gently, skirting the outside of their ear canal.
Ear cleaning, while simple, can get messy. You may want to clean your dog’s ears in a bathroom or a room that is easy to clean in case your dog shakes his head vigorously during the process.
Our pets are a huge part of our community here, and we hope these simple tips help keep your dog healthy. If you want to learn more about all our other benefits, including welcoming pets, click below to book a tour to see the community (and our beloved pets) in action!