02/11/2021
Lets talk about Winter coat care 🌧
Along with Winter comes rain and snow which means extra care is needed to keep your dog’s coat in tip top condition.
A lot of customers generally ask for their dogs coat to be kept longer in winter but it is actually much better for your dog and their coat to keep them at their regular length or even think about taking them a little shorter.
Why?
Extra length means your pet actually holds water which in turn makes them colder and they stay wet for longer. This can also cause sores on your pets belly and between the toes due moisture.
Most dogs spent 90% of their day indoors with central heating and tend to go on shorter walks during the winter months due to bad weather and less daylight hours so the extra hair you feel they need to keep warm may not actually be necessary.
Here are a few tips on the ways you can help keep your dogs coat in better condition this winter…
•Instead of rubbing your dog with a towel, pat them dry, rubbing causes friction and damage which in turn causes matting.
•If you notice your dog has any tangles in their coat brush these out before taking them out in the rain or on return rinse them and brush out while the coat is still wet, I know this sounds crazy as we are always taught not to brush our hair wet.
A small tangle when wet gets tighter as it dries and extra hair joins the tangle creating a mat. So if it is necessary to rinse your dog, pat dry with a towel then spray with a little leave in conditioner and brush while still wet. This will stop a tangle from turning in to a mat which can pull on your dog’s skin and insure the coat stays healthy and free from damage.
•If you do want to keep your pet longer for winter it is actually advised to have them groomed more often!
Why?
When a coat is not trimmed regularly but you are brushing it is like our hair, it becomes damaged, which in turn makes the coat harder to manage, also matting against the skin will hold water longer and cause pain.
So it is actually better for the coat to have regular baths and trims rather than leaving the coat to grow but this is the case at any time of year, not just winter.
I am always happy to do mid groom bath, brush and tidies if you are struggling with up keep at home.
Bringing your dog in more regularly ensures we can keep your chosen style and length rather than having no option other than to go short due to matting and damage.
If you do struggle, please message me, your pets comfort and keeping your dog in the style you like is always my top priority.
