How to groom your dog in winter

Look after your dog’s paws

Winter dog grooming should start from the ground up. During this season, your dog’s paws can be susceptible to additional damage due to muddy conditions and the cold.

Keep the hair between their paws trimmed neatly to avoid mud getting stuck between paw pads and causing discomfort.

Because their paws are a favourite hiding place for ticks, a daily check between all your dog’s paw pads is ideal, especially if you have taken them on walks through bushland. Ticks are often thought of as a summer problem, but with Australia’s mild winters and the changing climate, vets still see cases of paralysis tick well into the winter months.

Stay proactive with parasite prevention during winter. Protect your dog from the parasites in your area with regular flea, tick, and worm treatments.

Trim your dog’s nails

While you’re tending to their paw pads, keep a close eye on the length of your dog’s nails. Walking outdoors helps to naturally wear down their nails naturally. If your pet has spent more time indoors because of cold or wet weather, they may have missed out on this natural process.

That said, even with regular exercise most dogs have dew claws that will always need attention. Regular trimming can prevent their claws from curling and becoming embedded in their pads.

Cutting your dog’s nails is a delicate task you shouldn’t rush. You can find our guide to cutting your dog’s nails here. If you’re still unsure where to cut after reading the guide or want some extra help, book your dog in at a Petbarn Grooming salon.

Clean your dog’s ears

Ear care for dogs should remain the same year-round. It’s good to clean your dog’s ears weekly, to make sure they are in good condition.

To clean your dog’s ears, use a dog-specific ear cleaner and a piece of cotton wool. Wipe your dog’s ear down gently, only skirting the outside of their ear canal.

Dogs with long hair on their ears, such as some Spaniel breeds, should be brushed frequently to avoid the hair becoming matted as this can be quite painful for dogs. Ears are also a common spot for fleas and ticks to hide, so remember to check them during your daily skin check.

Look after your dog’s winter coat

Dogs naturally grow a thicker coat in winter to help them combat the cold, but you still need to keep this coat neat and healthy for their natural insulation to work best.

The thickness and length of your dog’s coat will determine the time you need to put into grooming, but all dogs need frequent brushing in winter. This will avoid matting and make your job much easier when they start to shed their winter coat.

Breeds that have a two-layer coat, such as Border Collies, Huskies and Keeshonds, should have special attention paid to grooming year-round. During winter, make sure you’re brushing them frequently to remove loose hair and stop their coat from becoming matted. A build-up of dead, wet and dirty coat can trap bad bacteria which untreated can cause painful skin infections and irritations.

Your local Petbarn has a range of brushes and combs to help keep your dog’s winter coat looking great.

How to wash your dog in winter

You can still wash your dog in winter, just make sure to use warm water and dry them completely so they don’t get cold. It’s a good idea to wash them in the warmest part of the day to avoid the chill.

If you don’t have the facilities to wash your dog in warm water at home, the colder months might be the best time to take them to one of the DIY Dog Washes or grooming salons conveniently located within some Petbarn stores.

Petbarn salons offer a sensitive range of shampoos and conditioners. They deeply moisturise and can help soothe your dog’s coat to help reduce the damaging effects certain elements, such as the rain and heavy winds, can have on their coat.

Dress your dog for winter

If your dog needs to be clipped in winter or has a naturally thin coat, they may benefit from wearing a coat. Dog clothing like knit jumpers are some of the best things to help keep them warm – especially over those cold nights.

If you dress your dog in a jumper, make sure you groom them daily to prevent mats from forming as the jumper rubs against their coat. Pay particular attention to areas like around the neck and under the front legs where the knots and mats may become quite severe causing discomfort to your dog.

For more dog grooming tips and advice on our full range of grooming products, feel free to chat with your local Petbarn team members or book an appointment at a Petbarn Grooming salon.