winter grooming

During the winter, our pets need special care. It’s up to us to make sure they look and feel their best. The following are our top winter grooming tips for pets.

Brush More Often

You might have noticed your pet is shedding more now than they did in the fall. This is due to indoor heating. Just like us, our pets tend to spend more times indoors during the winter. Most animals do not enjoy being outside in the cold. Unfortunately, the warm indoor temperatures can cause your pet to begin shedding its winter coat. Without regular brushing, this can make a huge mess. It can also lead to mats as the hair tangles on its way out.

During the winter, make sure you brush your pet daily. If you notice any tangles that you can’t easily remove, it’s time for a trip to the groomer.

Take Care of Your Dog’s Feet

Many people travel out of town during the winter. If you’ll be taking your dog to an area where it snows, you need to take extra care of their feet. Snow, ice, and the salt used on roads and pavements can cause injury to your dog’s feet. After playing or walking outside, rinse your dog’s feet with warm water.

It might be a good idea to have your groomer remove the hair between the pads of your dog’s feet prior to visiting the snow. This will help keep snow and ice from sticking to their fur.

Set Goals

Many of us become overwhelmed with everything we have to do this time of year. Instead of trying to set aside hours of time for grooming your pet, set small goals that are easier to keep. Five minutes a day might be all you need to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Schedule a Grooming Appointment

Regular grooming helps keep your pet’s coat healthy and clean for longer periods of time than grooming at home. Instead of placing the burden on yourself, schedule a grooming appointment for your pet. At Claws N Paws Day Spa we are well prepared to handle all of the brushing, bathing, and grooming your pet requires this winter. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment today.

Taking Care of Your Pet’s Skin in the Winter

Winter can be extremely hard on our pet’s skin. The cold, windy weather combined with the dry heat found in most homes can cause a number of problems for both us and our furry friends. During the winter months your pet’s skin might become dry, itchy and flaky. Luckily, it isn’t that difficult to take care of your pet’s skin in the winter.

Bathing and Grooming

One of the most common complaints during the winter is dandruff. Dandruff is the result of dead skin cells that can be seen on the surface of the skin or in the hair. This can be an unsightly problem, especially when the skin tries to compensate by producing more oil, leading to dead skin cells that clump together and become patchy layers on the surface of the skin.

Unfortunately, bathing can make dandruff worse. This is because bathing too often, or with the wrong shampoo, can cause chemical reactions or strip the skin of its natural oils. In order to avoid this you must use a moisturizing shampoo specially designed for pets and bathe your pet no more than once a month.

After bathing and drying your pet, use a soft brush to gently remove any patches of skin and stimulate the hair follicles and natural oil glands. Careful removal of dead skin cells and loose hair allows the skin to repair itself.

Diet

It is extremely important to feed your pet a healthy and well balanced diet all year long to ensure healthy skin. While a nutritious diet cannot completely eliminate the chance of your pet developing skin problems, it will make them easier to treat. During the winter, you might want to consider adding supplements to your pet’s diet. Ask your groomer or a veterinarian for recommendations.

Other Causes

Sometimes winter skin problems are the result of allergies, health issues or parasites. Your veterinarian can help determine what’s causing the problem and how you can solve it. If your pet is scratching non-stop and is causing damage to their skin, you will need to see your veterinarian immediately before they develop an infection.

Pets have different needs during the winter. Claws N Paws Day Spa can help you determine what your pet needs to keep their skin and coat healthy. Please call us at 714-962-1005 to schedule an appointment!