Let's be honest – winter is tough. Cold fingers, dark mornings, and that special kind of drizzle that seeps through every layer you own. And if you're a dog owner? Multiply that by four muddy paws.
But whilst we can layer up and hide indoors with a cuppa, our dogs still need their walks, their stimulation, and a bit of extra care when temperatures drop. Some winter days are glorious, crisp frost, clear skies, dogs bounding through fallen leaves. Others? Not so much!
Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or getting ready for your first winter with a puppy, we've pulled together some practical tips for winter dog care to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and thriving during the colder months.
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Keeping Your Winter Dog Warm And Dry
Despite the cold, your dog still needs regular exercise to stimulate both their mind and body. Here's how to keep them comfortable during winter dog walks:
- Extra Layers: Clipped dogs and fine-coated breeds (whippets, Staffordshire bull terriers) benefit from a well-fitting coat during walks to stay warm and dry in cold or wet weather.
- Take Time To Dry: After wet walks, dry your dog as much as possible with microfibre towels and ensure they have a warm bed away from draughts. Air drying thick-coated breeds can take hours, instead use a cool hairdryer to speed things up. Damp fur creates a breeding ground for fungi and increases matting.
- Frostbite and Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to icy conditions can cause frostbite on sensitive areas like ears, tails, and paws. Always limit time outdoors during extreme cold, and watch for signs such as pale skin or shivering.
- Trimming the Legs for Winter Dog Grooming: Long feathers or belly hair trap mud and moisture. Keeping these areas trimmed short or thinned out makes cleaning easier, reduces drying time, and prevents snowballs forming and pulling on the hair. 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 work wonders to reduce matting.
- Winter Dog 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.
- Grooming By Breed: Our range of Grooming sets by Breed is a great place to find grooming accessories especially suited to groom your breed of dog. We even have sets for doodles from labradoodles to schnoodles and other popular cross breeds too.
Winter Dog Care: 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. Our selection of clippers, trimmers and scissors are ideal for trimming around the paws and toes. Find out more here.
- Wash Off Road Salt: In frosty weather, paths and roads may be gritted which is not only very drying and abrasive to paws, it can also be harmful if licked off. Use a gentle wash to clean road salt away. We recommend this gentle formulation from Wildwash for winter dog grooming.
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 but 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 muddy ones, give your dog a thorough rinse to remove dirt and potential contaminants. Regular winter dog grooming is an excellent opportunity to spot skin wounds or changes early.
- Awareness is key: Cases remain very low in the UK, but if you're concerned, speak with your vet. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes. For more information, contact your vet or the Alabama Rot Research Fund (ARRF).
Keep Your Winter Dog Happy Indoors
When winter weather limits outdoor time, there are plenty of ways to keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated. 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, slow or puzzle feeders and lick mats can keep dogs busy for longer. These can be great for engaging their problem-solving skills and provide longer entertainment.
- 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 Winter Dog Grooming: Sometimes, a bit of calm time is the best activity. Grooming time is a great way to spend time and bond with your dog and teach them vital training commands such as sit, paw, lay down and wait. Browse our full range of dog grooming brushes and combs to keep your dog's coat in top condition during winter.
Take Care With These Common Winter Dog Hazards
- Seasonal Decorations: Tinsel, fairy lights and small ornaments pose choking hazards or can cause internal injuries if chewed or swallowed. Keep decorations out of reach Find out more about Christmas hazards for our pets here.
- Candles and Fires: Use protective screens around open flames and never leave your dog unattended near lit candles. Ensure your dog can't lean directly against heaters or log burners.
Winter Dog Care: Adjust Food For Reduced Anxiety
Shorter days and fewer outdoor adventures often mean reduced exercise. If your dog is becoming less active or gaining weight, adjust their 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. Grooming time is the ideal opportunity to check your dog's body condition and feel their ribs through their coat. Your vet can give you guidance for the ideal weight for you pet.
- 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.
- Choose Low-Calorie Dog Treats: It’s tempting to offer treats during cosy winter nights, but opt for low-calorie treats or healthy alternatives like carrots or cucumbers. This can help prevent unnecessary weight gain while still letting them enjoy their rewards.
- Speak to Your Vet: If you’re uncertain about how much to adjust your pets food, 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 On Winter Dog walks
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 canine friend!
- Keep Your Dog On A Lead Around Pedestrians: Keep your dog on a lead around pedestrians to prevent them jumping up and covering people in mud. Part of good winter dog care etiquette!
Be Easily Seen During Winter
With dark mornings and evenings, visibility is crucial for winter dog walks.
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Wear Reflective Gear:Ensure both you and your dog wear bright, reflective clothing.
Light-Up Collars: Light-up collars or tags help you spot your dog in the dark or fog.
- Recall and Safety: 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.
- Update Contact Details: Ensure your dog always wears a collar with up-to-date contact details and that their microchip information is current.
Extra Care Near Lakes And Rivers
If your dog loves a splash in a lake or river, take care not to let them access 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 through. 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.
I don't want my dog to get cold. Should I still clip him in winter?
Whether of not you need to clip your dog in winter depends on their breed, coat type and grooming needs. Many dogs may still be clipped but with a longer clip to ensure they have a little more insulation and protection fo the elements. However, some breeds may be more prone to tangles and matting in the muddy wet months so mainting a short clip may be better for their needs. We have a rannge of clipper blades and comb attchements to choose to give you a choice of clip lenghts throughout the year. If you'd like any further advice, contact us here.
