Winter and Your Dog: What You Need to Know
Winter is coming and although we Arizonians, or at least those of us in the Phoenician area, don’t experience below zero weather or snow, there are a few fast and quick rules about your dog and winter.
- Depending how cold the weather gets in your area, and if you experience snow, you may ask your groomer to clip excess hair between your dog’s toes so that it doesn’t collect snow or ice. Also remember if you live in an area where there is a lot of ice, that salt is used frequently to melt that ice. Salt can get tangled in your pet’s feet causing rashes, burns and cuts. The easiest way to remedy this is to rinse your dog’s feet with warm water at night. Salt, gravel and ice will be rinsed away which could otherwise cause your pet pain.
- Pet Sweaters. If your dog has a short coat, purchasing a pet sweater can help give him/her an extra layer of warmth. The rule of thumb is to only keep the coat or sweater on your pet when he/she outside. If your home is cold you may want to alternate the sweater with a warm blanket the pet can lay on. Sweaters rub up against pet’s skin and can cause irritation when used in longer increments of time.
- Combing your pet’s fur is important when the weather becomes cooler due to the coat thickening. With more hair will also be more shedding. Combing your pet’s coat can also help prevent tangled or matted hair and it also helps distribute the natural oils in your dogs’ coat, which helps relieve the dryness that comes from extra time spent in a warm interior environment. Regular grooming sessions are often best in winter, so try to keep a solid schedule with your local groomer.
Arizona may not receive a lot of snow but it does get cool during the winter months.
Talk to your groomer about the length of coat that your pet should have and for extra tips on maintenance in between appointments. Every climate is different, and if you are new to the area, you will want to know what those extra tips might be to keep your pet comfortable.
About Winter Grooming: Scottsdale Pet Hotel understands that regular grooming sessions are especially important during the winter months. Don’t let holidays deter your family from keeping a grooming routine for your pet. To schedule your winter appointments today, visit: http://www.ScottsdalePetHotel.com.