Whilst many of you reading this will not experience some of the coldest weather in the world, you will still have winters, and during those periods dog grooming, whether at a professional service or by yourself, often has to be done in different ways.
In particular, when you are bathing your dog in colder weather there are some precautions and steps you must take to ensure that the well-being of your dog is not compromised.
Despite many dogs having lots of fur or thick coats, these do not exclude the possibility of them experiencing hypothermia if the temperature gets too low, and that is amplified when activities such as bathing them take place.
In addition, in areas that get snowfall, the likes of salt, sludge and mud can get into their coat, making it even more important that they are groomed properly to keep their coat healthy and looking as it should.
Now, you might be thinking, “I live in a warm area with little or no snow; how does this affect my dog?”.
A fair question, but we must point out that even in cities such as Perth, WA, famous for its sunshine and heat, in the winter months from May to July you will find the temperature can get close to freezing.
So, nowhere is immune from low temperatures that compromise dog grooming and increase the risks of bathing dogs in cold conditions.
At the same time, your dog still needs to have a bath at least once a month so what can you do to ensure they are safe, whilst at the same time looking after their coat and their other needs?
Well, keep reading and we will give you seven awesome tips to do just that.
Tip #1 – Let Them Out To Pee/Poo Before Bath Time: It is always best to take your dog out to do their business before bathing them as it will make them more comfortable and reduce the chances that they need to go back out into the chilly air after their bath.
Tip #2 – Turn Up The Thermostat In Your Home Before You Bath Your Dog: If you know you are going to be bathing your dog, about 30 minutes or so beforehand turn up the thermostat for your heating a degree or two so that when your dog exits their bath they are doing so in warm, comfortable surroundings.
Tip #3 – Ensure The Bath Water Is Not Freezing Cold: In summer, using cold water to bath your dog should be fine, but in winter months that water is likely to be extremely cold.
For this reason, open the hot water mixer tap too so that the water is lukewarm for your dog.
Tip #4 – Limit The Amount Of Time They Are In The Water: This will not be a problem for dogs that hate baths and cannot wait to get out, but for dogs who love water, do not let them spend too much time in the bath especially as the water will be getting colder with each minute that passes.
Tip #5 – Use Dry Rather Than Wet Shampoos: One way to limit the amount of cold liquid that your dog’s skin encounters is to switch to a dry shampoo during the winter months, rather than using the same liquid shampoo that you use in the summer.
Tip #6 – Warm Towels Before You Dry Your Dog: A great way to ensure your dog is warm as they get out of the bath is to warm the towels that you will be drying them with beforehand, although make sure they are not too hot.
Tip #7 – Ensure Your Dog Is Completely Dry If They Need To Go Outside Again: Even if you followed Tip #1 if your dog indicates they still need to go out after you have bathed them, ensure that their coat is completely dry all over, especially if the outside temperatures are close to or below freezing.