Cold Weather Pet Safety: Cats and Dogs in Winter By Marty Greer, DVM | November 10, 2023
How can I protect my pet in the winter? As we get into the heart of winter, sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves of some of the problems our
pets face during the cold winter months. Some dogs and cats
need minimal care, while others don’t fare well at all. Cold weather pet safety means taking some preventive measures to make winter easier for both you and your pets! Here are some cold weather pet tips: Why is My Dog Shedding in Winter For pets that spend more time inside during the winter, the indoor heat can take its toll on their skin and coat. It causes moisture loss and dry skin, resulting in uncomfortable itching. Their winter coat becomes too much for them, and they start shedding to get comfortable again – the reason why many people feel their pet has been shedding all winter. Coat strippers help remove the dead hair coat without damaging the remaining coat. They’re excellent for double-coated dogs with winter coats that want to mat. A dematting
comb will remove dead hair mats with little pulling of the skin. The result is a fluffed-up coat that keeps your dog warm outside and breathes on the inside, which helps your pet feel more comfortable in all temperatures. Once the dead hair is removed, bathing helps clean the skin and replace the lost oils and moisture. Many people forget that some dogs are itchy just from the winter grime of everyday living, so bathing is important for healthy breathing skin. Shampoos such as Fresh’n Clean help replace winter moisture loss while cleaning the winter grime from the skin and coat. Be sure to dilute the shampoo according to label directions. Carefully rinse out all the shampoo to remove any residue.
Bathe and rinse your dog with lukewarm, not hot water. Avoid using human shampoos. You know your dog’s coat: if you feel you have an extra dry coat, use a cream rinse such as Fresh ‘N Clean Crème Rinse every two weeks to rejuvenate the coat. Cream rinses help the coat repel moisture and ice, so they’re great for dogs that spend time outside. They’re most helpful when used in the cold of winter and in the hot summer sun. After a great cleansing bath, use a high speed blower to remove the loosened dead coat. Doing this will significantly reduce shedding and the vacuuming you need to do. If you don’t own a high speed blower,
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 15
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