Seasonal care

The benefits of grooming your dog are limitless, from creating a special bond to avoiding health problems. And while grooming is recommended year-round, each season comes with its challenges. Fortunately, there are tips and tricks that will help you be a responsible owner, no matter the time of year.

Winter

Temperatures have dropped, and you might not be thrilled about a walk around the block, but your dog certainly is. Winter doesn't mean the end of outdoor activities for your companion, but it does mean it's time to pay extra attention to their paws.

Without preventive measures, paws are susceptible to cracks, irritations, or infections caused by snow, salt, gravel, and ice. Moreover, you don't want your pet licking all those chemicals off their paws after a walk.

To prevent these problems, keep cleaning wipes by the door and wipe your dog's paws after every outing. Special attention should also be given to the paw pads, as long hair growing between them can retain snow, which then turns into ice and can cause pain when walking.

The fur should be trimmed to a longer length to provide thermal protection, whether or not you choose to dress your dog in winter.

We also recommend regular baths with moisturizing products, approximately once a week.

Spring

With the arrival of the first warm days, your dog's coat begins to change. Spring is the ideal time to remove the winter coat and make way for a new, healthy layer.

Although brushing should be part of the permanent grooming routine, trimming is particularly important during this period. If you kept the fur longer for protection during winter, you can now shorten it slightly to make it easier to maintain after walks in the park.

Summer

There's a misconception that a very short haircut helps a dog better endure high temperatures. In reality, according to veterinarians, fur has multiple layers and acts as a natural body temperature regulation system.

Fur is the first line of defense against sun rays, scratches, and other external factors. However, this doesn't mean it shouldn't be cared for with regular baths, brushing, and trimming.

We do NOT recommend shaving down to the skin.

Summer is the time when dogs are much more active and spend more time outdoors. If your dog enjoys swimming in the pool or lake, it's very important to pay attention to their ears. Like humans, dogs can develop infections if water gets trapped in their ears. For this reason, we recommend trimming or removing hair from inside the ears.

Don't forget about fleas and ticks. Trimming, along with the use of repellent products, helps keep the skin and fur clean and protected against parasites.

Autumn

With squirrels to chase and piles of leaves to run through, autumn is one of dogs' favorite seasons. Unfortunately, all these adventures come with leaves, mud, and dampness brought into the house.

The best way to avoid this is to ensure the fur is completely dry before your pet goes back outside.

Autumn temperatures can get quite low, and short-haired breeds are more sensitive to cold. If a dog remains wet for a long period, there is a risk of hypothermia.

For this reason, a bath at a professional salon is one of the best options, as your pet will go home with perfectly dry and well-groomed fur.

Conclusion

The recommendations above are an excellent starting point for having a happy and healthy companion throughout the year.

If you'd like personalized recommendations based on your companion's breed, coat type, or lifestyle, the Happy Paws team is happy to assist you.