The leaves have fallen off the trees, the first winter snowstorm of the season has created a winter wonderland, and you’ve already made snow angels. You and your puppy are snuggling under the blanket, enjoying the roaring fire's comforting glow. All is right with the world, and you’re excited to spend your first winter with your new best friend.
For the past month, you’ve noticed more clumps and tumbleweeds of dog hair falling out and rolling across the floor, accumulating in piles in the corners like the snowdrifts outside. You were warned this would happen with a double-coated dog, but you weren’t prepared for the sheer volume of hair!
While you’re stroking her fur, you notice some irritation on your puppy’s paw and find a hot spot she’s been scratching lately. “What is going on?” You wonder. “She didn’t have these issues in other seasons!”
Winter may bring beautiful, icy landscapes, but along with frigid temperatures comes the issue of grooming your dog in the winter. Whether you have a cold-weather-loving dog breed or a short-haired, thin-skinned puppy, all puppy owners should follow suggestions for winter dog grooming tips to keep their puppies looking and feeling good this season so you can enjoy that snow day comfortably and safely.
Why is Winter Grooming For Dogs So Important?
Wintertime presents a unique set of circumstances not found in other seasons that affect your puppy’s appearance and comfort. Following tips for keeping your puppy warm and safe in the winter involves ensuring they are groomed appropriately for the season. Factors like dry air, temperature swings, de-icing chemicals, and more make winter dog grooming practices a priority in the colder months.
Coat Health
Whether a puppy has dense, thick, curly, short, wiry, long, or sleek hair, all dog coat types need winter grooming. Dogs that shed typically lose hair in the spring and fall when the temperature changes in a process called “blowing their coats.” In fall or early winter, new hair grows to prepare for the colder temperatures, causing dead hairs to fall out more rapidly than in summer or later in the winter. Even dogs considered “non-shedding” can shed some hair during this time. For example, doodle dogs can have some dead hairs trapped in their curly coats.
Double-coated dogs shed more because they have two layers of fur: A thick, waterproof, dense outer coat and a lofty, downy, softer undercoat. These two layers work together to regulate temperature, trapping warm air and holding it close to the skin, while the outer coat protects the skin and undercoat from the weather. These types of dogs do not necessarily need sweaters or coats in the winter, but you’ll want to take care of the coats they do have by brushing them with an undercoat rake to remove dead hairs and a daily pin brush to keep their coats glossy and dirt-free.
Because they do not have a temperature-regulating double layer to hold in heat, dogs with a single coat or thin skin will need to wear winter coats and sweaters for dogs to keep them warm. Pet parents usually have no problem having fun choosing patterns and colors to reflect their puppy’s personality!
Dogs with wiry fur usually need to be hand-stripped rather than only brushed or shaved, a process where dead clumps of hair are removed by hand. Don’t forget to pluck the hair that accumulates out of their ears to reduce the chances of caught debris and infections.
Speak with your dog groomer to see what type of cut would be best for your puppy in the winter. Most owners avoid a “summer cut” and let their hair grow out to a longer length. Some owners opt to keep hair naturally long but trimmed. If possible, make sure enough fur and hair is left to allow the coat to capture warm air and function properly to protect your puppy from the elements.
Bathing a puppy during winter might not be as necessary as during the warmer months, but you still need to keep an eye on the cleanliness of their coats and skin. If you do bathe your puppy, do so in an environment with a controlled temperature to keep them comfortable and with gentle shampoo and conditioner. It’s paramount you dry their coats thoroughly since a wet dog can develop hypothermia quickly, especially smaller breeds and those with thinner coats.
Puppy Skincare
Winter is a prime time for puppies to develop “hot spots,” areas of irritation due to several factors. Dry air can cause dandruff and other itchy spots, and exposure to de-icing chemicals can cause irritation and even burns. Bathing your dog too often in the winter can dry out their skin and remove the healthy oils that keep their coats glossy and skin lubricated.
To help your puppy’s skin stay supple during winter, you can pay attention to their Omega-3 intake and run a humidifier to put moisture back into the room. Use gentle shampoo and appropriate conditioner when bathing your puppy during the winter months. And of course, if you have any questions or concerns, always call your licensed vet for a visit. You may need something more robust than Omega-3 supplements or humidifiers!
Cold-Weather Paw Care
Practicing proper paw care for puppies is important year-round, but keeping a puppy’s paws in great condition in the winter can be a challenge. If you live in an icy or snowy climate, you’ll encounter harsh chemicals used to melt frozen precipitation on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. In addition, ice can have such sharp, jagged edges that it cuts your puppy’s paws, especially if they like to zoom around outside at fast speeds. If you leave your puppy out too long, they can get frostbite just like humans.
Examine your puppy’s paws daily to check for scrapes, cuts, discoloration, and more, especially when you are outside for a long time. Use a paw cream, salve, or balm to keep puppy paw pads hydrated and supple. Always trim your puppy’s nails, as failure to do so regularly can result in painful gait and leg problems. Consider using booties for dogs they can wear when out in the elements to further protect their paws.
Groom a Pawrade Puppy This Winter
Getting a puppy during the winter can be an exciting time to watch them romping around in the snow and dressing them up in cute outfits. However, what isn’t so exciting is trying to find trustworthy breeders and kennels on your own. Researching may produce dead ends, waitlists get filled up quickly, and scams abound on the internet. How do you know whom to trust?
Pawrade offers an easy, scam-free puppy adoption experience with a responsive concierge team to facilitate the process. All transactions are conducted through a secure transaction management system, PetPay, that gives you peace of mind we take your security seriously. In addition to our excellent communication, our healthy puppies come with a 3-year comprehensive health guarantee, 30 days of MetLife insurance, a health certificate, updated vaccinations, and so much more. Snuggle up by the fire and browse puppies for sale to choose your year-round buddy!
