Winter Grooming: Tips from Dr. Katrina

“Brrrr it’s chilly outside! Sometimes I feel a little envious of my pets with their thick winter coats to keep them warm in winter,” Dr. Katrina says.

As pet owners of the world, we think a lot of you might feel the same way – we sure do! But as insulating as your dog’s coat is, it still needs to be looked after with a nourishing and natural dog shampoo during the winter months.

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing mats that cause terrible discomfort and skin issues is as important in winter as it is the rest of the year.

Here are Dr. Katrina’s 5 grooming tips to keep your pooch feeling and looking good this winter

1. Regular brushing

Brushing your dog should always be a number one priority when it comes to your winter grooming regime. Regular brushing will help to maintain a healthy skin and coat and prevent mats and tangles.

The longer mats are left in their coat, the harder they are to remove. If ignored entirely, they can lead to pain and hot spots. To keep your dog free from the discomfort that comes with seriously tangled fur, remember that prevention – by regular brushing – is key.

Houndztooth has a number of detangling spray blends that can help to detangle your dog’s coat:

• Hugo’s Blend No. 1 Dog Coat Conditioning Spray & Deodoriser
• Stella’s Blend No. 2 Conditioning Spray & Deodoriser
• Charlie’s Blend No. 3 Conditioning Spray & Deodoriser with Oatmeal

Brushing your dog is also the perfect time to check them over for lumps, bumps and any signs of skin irritation. If you notice that your dog has been itching or has irritated skin, Coco’s Blend No. 4 Rescue & Relief Spray can help to reduce redness and inflammation.

2. Check paws after walks

Make it a habit to check your dog’s paws after each walk for mud balls or anything that may be caught between the pads. Wipe their feet down at the door with a face cloth, pet wipe or towel to make sure they are clean and dry.

If their feet need a quick clean and you don’t want to bother with bathtime, pump a generous amount of Frankie & Felix’s Blend No. 5 Waterless Shampoo into your hand and massage it into the unclean area. To finish, simply towel dry and brush or comb it out!

3. Trim hair between footpads

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.

4. Keep nails trimmed

As most dogs walk a little less during the winter months, it’s important to keep their nails clipped regularly to prevent them from growing too long. Long nails make it difficult to make proper contact with the ground and can be very uncomfortable for your furry friend.

When trimming your dog’s nails yourself, be sure to only cut the tip of the nail and avoid the blood vessel – called the quick – on the inside. While you can see the quick inside light coloured nails, you can’t see it in darker ones.

We recommend taking your pup to a local vet or reputable groomer to safely trim their nails if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.

5. Bathing

Your four-legged friend’s extra thick coat needs to be cleaned in winter just as much as in any other month, which means that regular bathing is a must. After their bath, make sure they are dried thoroughly before letting them play outside.

For more tips on bathing your dog in winter, check out our guides on autumn to winter grooming and washing your dog when it’s cold outside.

Just like us, dogs can also suffer from dry skin over winter thanks to weather conditions and constant heating in the home. To keep their skin nourished, hydrated and moisturised, use a natural dog shampoo that best suits their skin and coat needs.

• Charlie’s Blend No. 3 Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs exfoliates dry skin and keeps your pup’s skin and coat hydrated during the colder months.
• Stella’s Blend No. 2 Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin is a nourishing blend that reduces redness and heals inflamed skin and eczema.
• Hugo’s Blend No. 1 Natural Dog Shampoo keeps your dog’s skin soft, supple and hydrated.
• Our Hemp Shampoo is an intensive conditioning blend perfect for sensitive skin.
• Feeding your pup our Australian Hemp Oil for dogs daily will help to prevent their skin and coat from drying out.

Keep your dog’s coat under control this winter

It’s important to keep your pup’s grooming regime up during winter to ensure their skin, coat and paws stay happy, healthy and clean.

If you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy into the family, check out Dr. Katrina’s tips on training your puppy to enjoy bath time.