Cold Weather Coat and Skin Care

Nov 20th 2009

Winter can be a magical time for dogs. Squirrel visibility rises when the ground is white, and cuddling by the fireplace can be undeniably cozy; but winter's whipping winds and dry indoor heating can take its toll on fur and skin.

For advice on how to care for your canine companion's grooming needs when the temperature drops, Paw Nation caught up with professional groomer Cassandra Reed, a Season 2 contestant on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" and owner of Mutley Dooz in Akron, Ohio.

1. A little extra hair helps
It's never a bad idea to ask your groomer to leave your dog's coat longer than usual during the winter. "As a groomer, when I groom dogs in the winter, I leave a little extra hair between the toes," says Reed. "I'd like to think that it helps keep them a little bit warmer."

2. Keep skin moisturized
An easy way to keep your dog's skin hydrated is bathing them at home with ultra-moisturizing oatmeal or shea-butter shampoo or conditioner. Reed stresses that you should always use all-natural shampoos that don't contain any artificial dyes, as these may trigger an allergic reaction or worsen itchy, dry skin.