The rainy weather at this time of year means lots of wet and muddy dog walks and the inevitable big clean up when you reach home. Constant wet and mud are not only a nuissance for us but can be the cause of pontential health issues for your dog too.
Here are our top tips to help keep your dog healthy through the wet seasons.
Cleaning Up After An Outdoor Adventure
How To Dry Your Dog
- The first step to dry your dog after a wet walk is towel drying. Wrap your dog as much as possible in towel big enough to cover them to get as much moisture out if the coat as you can. If your dog is muddy as well, you'll need to wash them off first - See below!
- Avoid rubbing dogs with long hair as this can make tangles worse. Instead start from the head, moving along the body towards the tail and gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the coat. Don’t forget the legs and paws too!
- Keep a stash of clean towels (As you’ll likely need more than one!) to dry off the worst of the wet in the car or by the door at home so you can remove most of the mess before you head indoors to clean up.
- Avoid leaving your very wet dog to air dry as a damp coat can encourage fungal growth to develop and increases the chance of coat becoming matted.
- Some dogs will love a quick blast from a hairdryer to give an extra boost to reducing drying time. If your dog is happy with a hairdryer, use it on the lowest setting only (never use heat) and continue to keep the drier moving along the body. Avoid pointing it at sensitive areas such as your dog’s face or ears.
Time To Cleanse
- If your dog is muddy after their walk, use a mild specialist dog shampoo to wash off their paws and gently cleanse the dirt from the coat.
- A naturally formulated specialist dog shampoo is best to gently wash the hair without stripping the coat of the skin’s natural oils. We love the organic range from Wildwash. Their super sensitive formula is ideal whether used daily to wash off muddy legs and belly or for full bathing. Suitable for dogs with very sensitive skin with no harsh chemicals or cleaning agents, just natural skin friendly ingredients that is quick rinsing and won’t cause irritation.
- Some dogs just can’t get enough of large muddy puddles or a dip in a lake! For these outdoor adventurers, the Wildwash stinky dog shampoo will help to keep your dog and your home smelling lovely!
- Don’t forgot to dry your dog afterwards again with a fresh clean towel and following How To Dry steps above.
Checking Their Paws
- Check for stones and grit in between the toes and trim long hair between the pads to allow them to dry faster.
- The areas between the toes and pads are a great place for bacteria and fungi to grow so pay close attention to getting the paws dry and check the condition of the pads.
- Long hair around the feet and pads can get tangled and matted causing discomfort, especially when they are routinely wet and muddy. Our Showmate II cordless dog trimmer is the perfect compact trimmer for carefully removing hair from between the delicate toes.
- Keep nails in check too with regular nail clipping.
Checking Your Dog's ears
- The ears are another area to pay special attention to as they can become a breeding ground for yeast or bacterial infections. Ears that fold over may be less able to allow air to flow into them to keep them dry inside.
- Clean and dry the inside of the ear gently with cotton wool and a specialist ear cleaning solution for dogs.
- Regular ear cleaning and careful removal of hair inside the ears can increase air flow and keep these sensitive areas healthy.
- Trimming the ears with bull nose scissors or trimmers will help keep them tangle free and reduce drying time.
Warming Up Time
- After a wash down and through towel dry to remove as much water as possible, provide your dog with a warm, clean place to fully dry off.
- Keep them in a warm room indoors. They’ll likely be ready to curl up in a cosy bed after a busy time exploring.
- Make sure dog beds are cleaned weekly during the wet months as they will harbour the same fungal and bacterial allergens as damp fur.
- Drying your dog as quickly as possible will help to keep your home environment clean and mildew free too.
Brushing Out Their Coat
- Wet fur can make tangles more likely to form. As soon as your pet is nearly dry, brush the coat through to avoid tangles turning into problematic mats.
- Daily brushing with a slicker brush and comb will also help to remove loose hair from the coat and keep on top of knots developing.
- Coat rakes are great tools for removing the naturally shedding undercoat when the seasons change.
- Once the coat is fully combed through, a conditioning spray can then be used to further prevent tangles. However avoid using these if you are due to clip your dog as they can form a film on the hair which can dull your clipper blades.
Keeping Your Dog Dry
A Winter Trim For Your Dog
- Dogs with long feathering to the legs, fluffy neck and long underbelly hair may benefit from these areas being trimmed at this time of year. Skip tooth clipper blades are ideal for thinning out these areas by removing some the of the bulk of the hair but retaining a natural look to the coat.
- Thinning scissors are also a great scissor to have in your grooming kit. They are ideal for thinning out the hair on the legs and skirts for breeds such as spaniels and setters to allow for better airflow and faster drying time, but without full removal.
Clipping Your Dog For Winter Coat Mainteneance
Fed up with constantly trying to dry your dog? The longer the coat, the longer they take to dry so an all over maintenance clip makes cleaning up and drying your dog so much easier.
- Smaller long-haired breeds such as poodle crosses, shih tzu’s and lhasa apso’s with little legs are obviously closer to the ground where the mud and wet are more likely to splash upwards covering the legs and underbelly. A short body clip will facilitate the regular clean up.
- For very active pet dogs that are not used for showing purposes, an all over maintenance clip can be a great help to allow for easier all-round grooming and faster drying. Take a look at our grooming by breed clipping sets to find mains powered or cordless clipper sets that are specially tailored to your dog’s breed and coat type.
- With so many clippers and clipper blades to choose from, our grooming sets take the guess work out of finding the best combination to suit your dog.
Keep Dry With Dog Coats
- For clipped dogs and unclipped dogs, you can keep the worst of the wet and mud off the body with a specialist dog coat.
- An unpadded, breathable material will ensure your dog doesn’t get overly warm whilst keeping the majority of their body under cover, meaning there is less to clean up and dry when you get home.
Clean And Dry Happy Dogs
Winter walks can be a messy affair, with mud and rain leading to wet paws, tangled coats, and a lot of cleaning up. Keeping your dog dry isn't just about avoiding muddy floors – it’s essential for their health too. Here are three key tips to make the process of grooming and drying your dog after wet adventures as smooth as possible:
Drying Off Thoroughly
After a muddy outing, start with a big towel to gently remove moisture, especially from long-haired dogs. Avoid vigorous rubbing to prevent tangles, and use a hairdryer on a cool setting if your dog is comfortable. Don’t forget to dry paws, legs, and sensitive areas to avoid fungal growth and matting.
Washing and Brushing
Use a mild, natural dog shampoo to clean off mud and dirt while protecting your dog’s skin. Once nearly dry, brush their coat to detangle and remove loose hair. A slicker brush or coat rake can help manage seasonal shedding and prevent mats from forming.
Trimming for Easier Maintenance
Consider trimming longer hair on areas like legs, the belly, and around the paws to reduce drying time and keep your dog comfortable. A short maintenance clip for some breeds can make cleaning up after walks much easier.
With these simple grooming steps, you can keep your dog warm, dry, and healthy, no matter the weather. Explore our range of dog grooming products to make your grooming routine easier, or feel free to contact us for personalised grooming advice.
