The winter months are usually the hardest for most of us and can be particularly gruelling for us dog owners. Whilst we do get some wonderful wintery walks, we always get our fair share of wet, drizzy, cold and windy days here in the UK which are much less enjoyable.
Here’s our top tips to keep your dog safe and happy during these cold dark months.
Keeping Your Dog Warm And Dry In Winter
Despite the cold weather conditions, your dog will still need regular exercise throughout the winter months to stimulate both his mind and body.
- Extra Layers: Clipped dogs and fine coated breeds (such as whippets and Staffordshire bull terriers), may benefit from a well fitting dog coat when they go out for a walk to keep them warm and dry in cold or wet weather.
- Take Time To Dry: After a rainy walk, be sure to dry your dog as much as possible and ensure they have a cosy warm bed to retreat to, away from cold and draughts. Air drying may take some time for thick coated breeds so using a cool hairdryer can help to shorten drying time. Damp fur can be a breeding ground for fungi and increases the chance of matting.
- Trimming the Legs: As the wet and dirt are usually worst on your dog’s legs, if your dog has long feathers or belly hair it may help during the winter to keep these areas trimmed short or thinned out to make cleaning easier and reduce drying time. This can also reduce the formation of snow balls collecting and pulling on the fur on snowy days. Our range of dog grooming scissors will help to thin out and trim feathers whilst clipping belly hair and thinning out the coat with clipper blades can also work wonders and reduce matting.
- Grooming By Breed: Our range of Grooming sets by Breed range is a great place to find grooming accessories specially selected to groom your breed of dog. We even have sets for doodles and popular cross breeds too.
- Clipping For Health and Coat Care: Clipping is not just for summer! For dogs whose coat is prone to tangles and matting, a short manageable coat to help keep on top of their grooming will be so much easier. A little extra length may be ok to give them a bit of additional warmth but for most clipped breeds, a short clip will be so much easier to manage through the wet, muddy months. Find more tips to tackle mud and dirt here.
Check Your Dogs Paws After Each Walk
- Pause for Paws: Snow, gravel and dirt can collect between the toes and pads and cause irritation and sores. Gently check each paw and clean and dry them after every outdoor walk.
- Trim Paws to Avoid Matting: Dogs that have long hair between the pads may benefit from having this hair trimmed to prevent impaction from the snow and dirt. We have a great selection of clippers, trimmers and scissors that are ideal for trimming around the paws and toes here.
- Gentle Paw Cleanse: In frosty weather, paths and roads may be gritted with road salt which is very drying and abrasive to paws. Use a gentle wash to clean road salt away. This extra gentle formulation from Wildwash is our favourite.
Be Aware Of Alabama Rot
Alabama rot, also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), is a rare but serious disease that affects dogs, primarily in colder months. While uncommon, cases of Alabama rot have been reported in the UK, especially during winter and early spring. The disease impacts blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, leading to visible sores and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Although the exact cause is unknown, keeping an eye out for symptoms and knowing when to contact your vet can help.
- Symptoms to Watch For: Look out for unexplained skin sores or swelling, typically below the knees or elbows, but sometimes on the face or chest. Take time during regular grooming to spot for skin wounds or any changes to your dog's skin. Grooming is the perfect opportunity to get hands on with your dog and spot any early signs of problems. Also keep an eye our for any changes in appetite, vomiting, and lethargy can signal kidney issues.
- Prevention Tips: After countryside walks, especially if muddy, give your dog a thorough rinse to remove dirt and potential contaminants.
- Stay Calm but Vigilant: The number of cases in the UK remains very low, so while it’s important to be aware, there’s no need to panic. If you’re concerned, don’t hesitate to speak with your vet; early diagnosis and treatment are key to better outcomes.
- For more information, specialist vets like Anderson Moore or organisations such as the Alabama Rot Research Fund (ARRF) offer additional resources.
Keep Your Dog Happy Indoors
When winter weather keeps you and your dog from going out for long walks, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated at home. Engaging your dog indoors can help release their energy, reduce boredom, and maintain good behaviour. Here are some ideas:
- Interactive Toys & Puzzles: Toys like treat-dispensing balls and puzzle feeders can keep dogs busy as they work to unlock their rewards. These can be great for engaging their problem-solving skills and keeping them entertained for longer.
- Indoor Obstacle Course: Create a small agility course using household items! Cushions, broom handles, and cardboard boxes can serve as jumps, tunnels, or even mini hurdles. This is an excellent way to get them moving indoors without needing much space.
- Hide-and-Seek Games: Hide a few treats or their favourite toy around the house and encourage them to “find it!” Dogs love using their noses, and this activity gives them a mental workout as they sniff out the hidden items.
- Training Sessions: Use the extra indoor time to work on obedience or even learn a few fun tricks. Short training sessions can be mentally stimulating and a great bonding experience.
- Snuggle Time and Grooming: Sometimes, a bit of calm time is the best activity.
Adjust Food For Winter
During winter, colder weather and shorter days often mean fewer outdoor adventures, which can lead to reduced exercise for many dogs. If you notice your dog is becoming a little rounder or less active, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their body condition and adjust their food intake accordingly.
- Monitor Weight and Body Condition: Regularly check your dog’s weight or feel along their ribcage to assess whether they’re maintaining a healthy shape. If they start to look or feel a bit too rounded, it may be time for a small adjustment in their diet.
- Reduce Portion Sizes Gradually: If your dog’s exercise has decreased, consider slightly reducing their meal portions. Start with a small reduction and monitor how they respond over a few weeks.
- Stick to Low-Calorie Treats: It’s tempting to offer treats during cosy winter nights, but opt for low-calorie treats or healthy alternatives like carrots and cucumbers. This can help prevent unnecessary weight gain while still letting them enjoy their rewards.
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Speak to Your Vet if Unsure: If you’re uncertain about how much to adjust, your vet can provide guidance based on your dog’s age, breed, and health status, ensuring they stay in top shape through the winter.
Take Care Around Others
As the cold weather may prevent us from going too far with our dogs, we are more likely to use shorter walks frequented by other dog walkers. If this is the case, it’s best to keep your dog on a lead, even if your dog is friendly and has great recall. Other dogs may be less inclined to play or to say ‘hello’.
- Be Aware Of Nervous Dogs: Look out for leads or harnesses that may indicate that another person’s dog may be nervous or reactive. Of course, if both dogs look happy to greet each other, ask the owner if your dog can approach to explore and sniff each other. You may find your dog makes a new friend.
- Keep You Dog On A Lead Around Pedestrians: As winter brings muddy paws, it’s also courteous to keep your dog on a lead in public areas to prevent them from jumping up at other people and covering them in muddy paws. Yikes!
Be Easily Seen
With the dark nights and mornings, make sure you and your dog are wearing bright, reflective clothing.
- Lights For Dark Nights and Mornings: Light up collars or tags can be great to spot your dog if they are off the lead and it’s dark or foggy.
- Critical Recall: If you do take your dog off lead, make sure it’s only in a safe and enclosed space and that they have an excellent recall.
- Keep Contact Details Up To Date: Check that they always wear a collar with up to date contact details and that their microchip information is correct, should they get lost.
Extra Care Near Lakes And Rivers
If your dog loves a splash in water, take care to let them near frozen bodies of water. It’s very difficult to tell how solid the ice might be and your dog might not be able to get out easily if they fall in to water. It’s not worth taking the risk.
Winter Dog Care Essentials
Winter can bring cozy moments with our pups, but it also requires a bit of extra care to keep them warm, dry, and healthy. Here are a few key grooming tips to keep your dog comfortable and looking their best through the chilly months:
Trim Legs and Paws: Shorten or thin out leg feathers and belly hair to minimize mud, reduce drying time, and keep paws free from snow and debris buildup.
Maintain a Manageable Coat: Keep the coat clipped if it’s prone to tangling or matting. A shorter coat can help you stay on top of grooming during the wet and muddy months.
Paw Protection: Trim hair between paw pads to prevent snow and dirt buildup, and gently wash off any road salt after winter walks to protect sensitive skin.
For all your dog grooming needs, browse our range of dog grooming clippers, trimmers, brushes, combs, scissors, shampoo's and accessories. Need to some help finding the best grooming tools for your dog? Reach out to our friendly and experienced team. We're always happy to help with any questions you may have.