Winter Pet Care Tips

Winter Pet Care Tips

Winter is here, and it brings its own set of challenges for our furry friends. One of the most common issues that dog owners face during this time is matting, which occurs when long and/or curly fur is exposed to snow and wetness. While matting may not seem like a big deal at first, it can lead to serious discomfort and pain, skin irritations, and can even hide parasites like fleas and ticks. To help keep your dog’s paws protected this winter, here are some tips on how to prevent matting. 

Protective Gear

One of the best ways to keep your pup’s feet warm and dry is to invest in a pair of good booties. If your pet is uncomfortable with having something on their feet, start by introducing them to the boots gradually—let them smell it, touch it, and eventually wear it around the house before bringing them outside. Make sure that you get the right size, as they need to fit snugly around their feet without being too tight or loose. Also, remember not to push their feet too far into the boot, especially if their nails are long. It can cause their nails to break and make outdoor walks a negative experience.

Drying Wet Fur and Brushing Regularly

One of the best ways to reduce matting is to clean their fur with a wet cloth after each walk and dry it thoroughly with a towel and dryer. The number 1 mistake many pet owners make is air-drying wet fur. Every time you air-dry wet fur, tangles will turn into matting, and then turn into pelting. Start by brushing them with a comb or wire slicker brush to remove any knots or mats that have already started forming in their fur. This type of regular maintenance will help reduce matting while keeping your pet looking neat and clean throughout winter. 

Grooming Matters Too! 

Another way to protect your dog’s paws is by regularly grooming them throughout the winter months. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean your dog is exempt from maintenance like nail trimming, a professional bath, and blowout, ear cleaning, paw pad shaving, or sanitary trimming. Keeping their fur trimmed will help prevent matting caused by exposure to snow and wetness while still providing enough warmth against chilly temperatures. A haircut doesn’t have to be a short haircut! Depending on what breed of dog you have, they may also benefit from thorough de-shedding to prevent overheating when they’re inside.

No one enjoys dealing with mats in their pet’s fur—especially during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing! Fortunately, there are steps you can take now in order to prevent mats from forming in the first place so that both you and your pup can enjoy winter with no issues arising from cold weather exposure or matting because of wetness or debris buildup in their fur. Make sure you follow these tips regularly so that your pup stays healthy all year round. Your neighborhood groomers are here to help! If you have questions or would like to book a relaxing spa getaway for your pup, give us a call.