The Importance of Winter Grooming
It's an age old tale for us in the pet grooming industry, we see fewer dogs in the winter months. It's also equally common to see their coats in very poor state once they return in the spring. This is why we stress the importance of winter grooming and coat maintenance all year long.
Here is why you should book an appointment well before March:
If your dog has more than an inch of hair, it doesn't provide additional warmth. A sweater or coat is still required to maintain warmth on days with below freezing conditions. In fact, much the same as with humans, we encourage layering on days below -10°C.
If your dog has more than an inch of hair, it will turn to mats. This necessitates the need for daily brushing to prevent mats. When a dog's hair/fur mats, the matting begins at the skin, so it is not easily seen by you. It often won't be visible until a much later stage in the matting process, at which point you can no longer brush it out. Prolonged periods with a matted coat can eventually cut off airflow to the skin, which creates dandruff, hot spots, sores, pulling & discomfort and in extreme cases: insect growth. This is one of the reasons we offer our Bubble & Bling package at Muddy Paws, which includes a bath, brush out, nail trimming, face, feet and bum trimmings (body hair left long). This way your pup keeps the long fur fresh, clean, and mat free!
Another essential winter maintenance item is nail trimming every 3-6 weeks. Many dogs come into our store with long nails! If you can hear the nails clicking or if they're touching the floor, they're likely too long. Some dogs even come in with curling nails and painfully impacted nails. This affects a dog’s ability to walk comfortably and can lead to permanent foot conditions and injuries. Also, if your dog wears boots for salt protection during the winter months, it's important to maintain the nails every 2-3 weeks for an optimal fit.
Dirty coats mat up more quickly. This creates the perfect conditions for skin irritations like dandruff and hot spots. Smelly fur also causes our dogs to receive less attention, which can affect their self-esteem. When bathing a matted dog, brushing is extremely important as the bathing process can tighten the mats. It is very important to brush and comb through a dog’s coat before, during and after a bath. In fact, brushing a dog while shampoo is in, creates a lubricating effect to help untangle and remove mats safely and comfortably for your dog!
Lastly, for double coated dogs (an undercoat and a top coat), removing the undercoat is just as important as trimming a single coated dog. Undercoat also mats up, and can create many of the same skin issues as other matted single coats. Excess undercoat can also manifest itself as fur coating any surface that the dog touches! Properly removing the undercoat of double coated dogs creates less mess in your home!
At Muddy Paws, we recommend a grooming service for your dog every 4-8 weeks throughout the year for optimal coat health. If your pet has long nails, it's recommended to come in more often (every 2-3 weeks) to help the nail’s quick recede far enough for your dog to safely walk in winter conditions. We’re available by appointment for extra nail trimming services or you can pick up a pair of good quality nail scissors. If you’re thinking about doing some coat care in home, stop by Muddy Paws to get the tools and know-how. We are here to help you care for your pet as if it was our own!