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Paws suffer too
Dogs' paws are in contact with frozen ground, and in towns and cities with pavements sprinkled with salt. Paws heal poorly, so extra attention should be paid to them in freezing weather. It is no coincidence that dogs are sensitive to them - problems with them hurt them perhaps most of all. Prevent complications by lubricating paw balm with shea butter, checking paws and avoiding salted walkways. At the same time, paws should be washed free of salt after every walk and treated if possible. However, nothing should be overdone. If you make the paws too sensitive, the dog will become even more sensitive.
Some dogs have a lot more delicate skin on their paws, so if you have a puppy or have brought a dog from a shelter and this is your first winter together, be very cautious. Check your dog's interdigital areas from time to time to see if they are brownish, and note if your dog is chewing the hair out of them. This could be a problem that needs to be taken to the vet.
The contents of the bowl also play a role
A healthy and beautiful coat is not only dependent on external care, we also need to treat it from the inside. Ideally, you should start adding salmon oil or the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids found in fish or various supplementary vitamins before the worst of the frost starts. If you feed meat, focus on ingredients that are fatty enough to give your dog plenty of subcutaneous fat. But be warned, some dogs won't be helped by this either, and this applies to some greyhounds for example. Then you have no choice but to buy a good quality outfit.
Quality care comes first
Veterinarians recommend bathing your dog as little as possible in winter. This makes it all the more responsible to focus on the quality of each bath. Choose shampoos that are designed specifically to moisturise, as the coat tends to dry out in colder weather. Our products include Shiny Coat Shampoo.
But even that may not be enough. For a complete treatment, we also recommend using Damask Rose conditioner after washing, it nourishes the coat deeply, plus it smooths the coat so that not as much dirt clings to it. Not only long-haired dogs require extra attention. Even short-haired ones deserve extra care in freezing temperatures. Apply a rinse-free conditioner to their coat to moisturise and regenerate. The timing of the bath is also important. Don't bathe your dog right after or right before a walk. You should dry the coat thoroughly so that even the undercoat is not damp.
In case you have a senior citizen or a dog with very sensitive skin at home, treat them to our mud mask for dogs with Dead Sea minerals. It warms not only the skin but also the joints. In addition, it contains magnesium and potassium, among others, for the treatment of skin diseases.
When the hair is not enough to keep you warm
While there is a huge variety of dog clothes on the market, not all of them really suit the dog's needs. In rain or snow, avoid wool and fleece materials. Once they get wet, your dog will be even colder in them. Avoid hooded outfits, as these just irritate around the dog's ears and make him uncomfortable. The suit should be functional and fit well. A healthy young dog on the move can last up to -5 degrees without a suit. If the dog is senior, sick, or will be standing still for a long time, we dress the dog at temperatures around 0 degrees. Always take into account the current condition of the animal and the length of the walk and then adjust the clothing accordingly.
