Winter grooming tips for your dog

How does winter impact your dog’s grooming routine? In Canada’s harsh winters, exposure to cold air and snow can cause dry, itchy skin, cracked paws or discomfort during walks. In this blog, we share key tips to care for your dog’s coat, paws and skin, during the winter months.

Winter grooming

Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog’s coat, skin, and paws healthy during the winter. You’ll need to give special care to grooming their paws in particular. If your dog has long hair, trim the hair between the paw pads and around the paws. This serves several functions: it minimizes painful ice balls from forming on your dog’s paws; it reduces the amount of road salt and de-icing chemicals that are picked up; and it makes it easier for you to clean and apply moisturizing balm to your dog’s paws after your walks.

Don’t forget to keep your dog’s nails trimmed all year round, including the winter. Long nails tend to splay your dog’s paws while walking, making it easier for irritants to get between paw pads.

As for your dog’s skin, brushing their coat on a regular basis will help get rid of dead hair, distribute natural oils throughout the coat, and help invigorate the skin.

Keep paws clean

Thoroughly wash and dry your dog’s paws after taking them for a walk, making sure to also clean the area between their toes. This gets off any de-icing chemicals that may be on your dog’s paws. Use this opportunity to inspect your dog’s paws for any cracks or redness. If you have any concerns about your dog’s paws, reach out to your veterinarian for guidance. Watch our step by step video for tips on keeping your dog’s paws clean.

Paw protectors

While your dog may not love them, dog boots can help minimize contact between your dog’s feet and harmful chemicals. Another option is to use a paw balm or petroleum jelly to create a protective layer on your dog’s paw pads. (Avoid using moisturizers made for humans, since this can soften paws and leave them vulnerable to injury.) You should still wash your dog’s paws afterwards to make sure your pooch doesn’t accidentally lick any chemicals left on its paws. Watch our video for tips on introducing your dog to winter boots.

We all know how rough winter can be, so we hope these tips help minimize the impact the cold weather and icy conditions will have on your dog!