Winter dog paw care in Colorado Springs Colorado Springs
Colorado winters are dry, and the roads are covered in de-icer. A few simple habits keep your dog's skin, coat and paws in good shape until spring.
- Bathe every 4 to 6 weeks in the cold months.
- Wipe paws after every walk to get de-icer off.
- Keep the hair between the toes short all winter.
on dogs
Cold air holds very little moisture, and running the heat dries the air in your house even more. Dry air pulls water out of skin, your dog's as well as yours. Add icy sidewalks, de-icer on the roads and snow packed between the toes, and winter is rough on coats and paws.
might notice
- White flakes in the coat, like dandruff
- More itching and scratching than usual
- A dull, dry looking coat
- Static, especially on fine or silky coats after brushing
- Mats forming faster in a dry, staticky coat
If the skin is red, scabbed or very itchy, see your vet. Dry skin can also be a sign of allergies, parasites or another health problem.
winter
Bathing too often strips the natural oils from the skin and coat, and the VCA vet hospitals advise bathing a little less often in winter. Every 4 to 6 weeks in the cold months is the range we tell our clients. Short coats that stay clean can go longer.
- Use a gentle dog shampoo, never a human one
- Rinse very well, since leftover shampoo dries the skin
- Dry all the way to the skin. A damp coat in cold air gets chilled and mats faster
- Between baths, a damp cloth or dog-safe wipe takes care of muddy legs and bellies
the coat
A staticky coat is a dry coat. Brush slowly with a metal comb or a brush made for your dog's coat, rather than a plastic one. A light spritz of dog-safe conditioning spray on the brush helps. If you can, run a humidifier in the room where your dog sleeps. It helps your skin too.
and de-icer
Paws take the worst of winter. Ice and cold can crack the pads, and de-icer on roads and sidewalks can irritate them. It's also harmful if your dog licks it off.
- Wipe after every walk. The ASPCA recommends wiping paws with a damp cloth as soon as you're inside.
- Keep the hair between the toes short. Ice and salt cling to long hair and form painful little balls.
- Use a barrier. Paw wax or dog booties protect cracked or sore pads.
- Moisturize. A pet-safe paw balm soothes dry, chapped pads.
At Zuzu's, we trim the hair between the toes as part of the groom when the breed needs it, and paw balm is on our add-ons board if you'd like it.
Call your vet if your dog limps, licks their paws a lot, has bleeding pads, or eats de-icer.
the toes
Long hair between the toes and around the feet collects snow, which freezes into hard little balls. They pull on the hair and make walking painful. Keeping the feet trimmed short through the winter stops most of it. If your dog comes in with snowballs, let them melt in a warm towel instead of pulling them out.
the winter
Winter is no reason to skip the groomer. A neatly trimmed coat is easier to keep dry and free of salt, and tidy feet are easier to wipe. At Zuzu's, every dog is dried by hand while we brush, never in a cage dryer, so they go home warm and fully dry. Call (719) 472-4427 to book.
questions
Should I bathe my dog less in winter?
Usually, yes. Bathing too often in winter strips the skin's oils. Every 4 to 6 weeks is plenty for most dogs, with spot cleaning in between.
Do I need dog booties?
Not always. They help dogs with cracked pads or on heavily treated sidewalks. Wiping paws after each walk does most of the work.
Is "pet safe" de-icer safe?
There's no official rule for that label, and the ASPCA warns that even gentler de-icers can upset the stomach if swallowed. Wipe paws and keep your dog from licking them.
Will a humidifier help my dog?
It can. Put one in the room your dog sleeps in.
