Whether it is the scorching heat during the Summer, or freezing cold during Winter, your dog needs a groom All. Year. Round.   

As groomers, we find many dog owners stop bringing their dogs to their regular grooming appointments during the colder months as they believe that their dog does not require grooming as it is too cold. After Winter, we then get an influx of dog’s returning for a groom in worse for wear conditions; matted/pelted coats, overgrown nails, excessive eye gunk and poo-ey bums galore!  

There is a common misconception that all dogs need their longer coats during the cold, however this is not entirely true and cannot be applied to all breeds.
Double coated dogs, and breeds with longer and more dense coats (such as Huskies, Samoyeds, Chow Chows, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers) require regular grooming appointments to help regulate their body temperature.
As groomers remove this excessive undercoat by brushing and blowing out the undercoat, this helps maintain airflow to the skin. When your dog does not receive their usual groom during the Winter, moisture can get trapped in the coat, causing horrible skin infections, hot spots, bacterial infections and matting causing severe discomfort to your dog (which will likely lead to a costly vet visit and treatments!) 

Other smaller long-haired dog breeds such as Poodles and Maltese Shih Tzus do not necessarily require excessively long fur to keep them warm. Buying a jacket or a coat for them to wear during the cold will help assist with keeping your dog warm, as well as having them inside the house in the evening (dogs enjoy a warm bed, too!).  

With all of this in mind, we must look at why grooming your dog during Winter is important and the dangers associated with not grooming your dog for months on end. 

Overgrown Coats & Matted Fur 

An overgrown coat without regular brushing and combing can very quickly lead to a matted coat. Although matting may seem harmless, it can pose many health risks to your dogs. 

Matted fur is essentially tight bundles of knots close to your dog’s skin. We often inform owners that matting can have a tight, pulling sensation on your dog’s skin, which can be quite uncomfortable and in severe cases, painful and restrictive. This can alter your dog’s behaviour and mobility.  

Matting is especially prone to occur during Winter due to the rainy weather.
Water and mud can make matting much worse by causing the matts to get tighter. As water is absorbed by the matted fur, it can also get trapped and cause bacterial infections on your dog’s skin. By keeping your dog’s coat maintained during the wetter season, this is less likely to happen as your groomer will ensure any matting is removed from your dog’s coat to prevent this from occurring to your doggo!

Overgrown Nails 

If you skip your dog’s grooming appointments during Winter, their nails can quickly become very overgrown. 

Overgrown nails may not seem harmful, however longer nails are susceptible to chipping, breaking and getting caught on their surrounding environment – posing the risk of ripping off (epecially weaker nails such as dew-claws). 

In severe cases, overgrown nails can grow into your dog’s paw pads, causing immense pain and discomfort. This can then cause the tendon and bone structure of your dog’s foot to change.  

Nail trims are recommended monthly to prevent this from occuring.  

While your dog may not need a full groom, opting for maintenance cuts and keeping up with grooming practices can have numerous benefits for your dog’s health and well-being.