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Grooming Routines for Dogs Exposed to Harsh Weather Conditions
It's not just you that gets affected by the weather — it's your four-legged friend, too. It's easy for us to forget that our puppy pals experience the hot and cold seasons just like us, but they could be feeling the weather much more than you realise.
A regular dog grooming routine can help protect your pup from the harsh elements, though. Grooming isn't just about looks; instead, regular grooming can help protect your dog from being affected by the rain, wind, humidity, heat, and/or cold that we associate with different climates around Australia. If you're looking for a way to protect your dog from the elements, this guide will help you refine or develop practical dog grooming routines, so your pet stays comfortable and healthy year-round.
Why Weather Impacts a Dog's Grooming Routine
Like us humans, climate affects a dog's quality of life. Different climates impact their coat and skin, which ultimately affect their comfort levels.
Here's how each type of weather can impact your dog:
- Hot weather: Your dog's skin can dry out, and they can overheat
- Cold weather: Their coat can get matted, while their paws can get dry and/or cracked
- Wet/humid weather: They can develop fungal infections, have an odour, or experience skin irritation
Depending on what climate/s you experience throughout the year, you'll want to change up how you groom your dog. That way, they can be their happiest and healthiest selves!
Grooming Routines for Dogs in Hot Climates
Living in a hot climate? You'll want to make sure your dog's coat isn't causing them to overheat. This is especially important for longer-haired or double-coated dogs, who can get particularly warm during spring and summer.
Some ways you can help keep your dog feeling their best are:
- Regularly brushing out your dog's coat to reduce shedding and improve air circulation
- Use hydration and coat sprays to prevent dryness
- Avoid over-clipping, which may remove their coat's natural protection from the sun
During the warmer months, your dog may be exposed to more heat and dust than normal. Here's how you can take care of them when it's time to wash them:
- Use lukewarm water and a dog-specific shampoo to cool them down
- Give them a thorough rinse after using shampoo and conditioner, to make sure there's no residue left
- Give them a proper dry (including their paws and ears) to make sure there's no excess moisture in their skin/coat
It can be tempting to hose down your dog during summer, but this can actually cause them harm, as the water can get quite hot. Make sure you're testing the water beforehand with your elbow — if it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for our four-legged friends.
Grooming Routines for Dogs in Cold Climates
Living somewhere chilly? Long-haired dogs thrive in these environments — but their coats require a bit of extra TLC. You'll need to manage their coats through regular brushing, keeping the length nice and long for insulation, while preventing excessive matting. In colder climates, cut down on bathing if possible, as this helps to preserve their natural oils.
Paw care is also a must. Make sure you're regularly trimming the fur between their pads and applying paw balms to prevent any cracking. Much like you'd moisturise your own skin, paw balms can help our furry friends keep their paws nice and soft.
Finally, make sure you're checking for snow, ice, or salt build-up in their fur. Give your dog a regular coat check-up, and they'll be able to live their best winter life, even when it does get particularly frosty!
Grooming Routines for Dogs in Wet or Humid Conditions
Are you somewhere that's wet and/or humid? Whether it's muggy or rainy where you're living, your dog runs the risk of developing skin irritation or infection if not properly groomed. However, there are a few things we recommend doing to keep them feeling their best.
If it's raining a lot, frequently drying and brushing your dog's coat can help you avoid damp mats. Moisture can also hide in their ears, so regularly cleaning their ears with pet-safe wipes can help prevent any infections. When washing them, make sure you're using antifungal or medicated shampoos (if needed) to stop any infections in their tracks. This is especially important if you've got a working dog, as their active lifestyle can leave them exposed to the elements.
Hot spots can also be a problem if your dog is regularly around moisture/water. As part of your grooming routine, checking for hot spots and skin irritation can help you pick up on problems before they become an issue. Hot spots and skin irritation can get painful very fast, so prevention is always better than treatment. Unfortunately, our dogs can't tell us what's wrong (even though we wish they could) — so it's on us to make sure we're always checking them for any signs of infection or discomfort.
Essential Year-Round Grooming Practices
No matter what climate you're in, there are a few things you'll want to do to take the best care of your pups. While we remember to give them love, attention, and lots of treats, it can be easy to let these small things fall by the wayside!
Whether you've got an active pup or a couch potato, if you're hearing "click-clicks" whenever your dog walks on your floors, then it's time for a nail trim. Trimming your dog's nails every 3–4 weeks helps make it more comfortable for them to walk around, while also preventing any paw/leg injuries.
Taking care of their hygiene between baths is also a must. From regularly wiping their ears and eyes with pet-safe wipes to gently brushing their teeth with either a finger or a manual toothbrush, making sure you're keeping them clean can help prevent infection, while making them feel comfortable. It's a win-win.
Finally, make sure you're regularly brushing their coat, regardless of the weather. Little twigs, burrs, and other debris can attach themselves to your dog's coat, causing them irritation. Regular brushing can help you spot any fleas or ticks, too. Spending a few minutes a day grooming your pooch can help bring you both closer together — and give them the quality of life they absolutely deserve!
Tools and Products for Weather-Specific Grooming
Now that you've read a bit about how to groom your dog for different climates, there are a few tools you'll need to pick up to help you tackle your dog grooming routine.
We recommend grabbing:
- Brushes, combs, and deshedding tools (depending on your dog's coat type) - bristle/pin brushes for short-haired dogs, de-matting combs/slicker brushes for long-haired dogs
- Dog-safe shampoos and conditioners that moisturise and hydrate your dog's skin and coat (and avoid artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, or sulphates
- Protective products for their coat and skin, like paw balms for cold climates, coat sprays for warm climates, and dog jackets for wet/humid climates
Professional groomers will also have these tools on hand, using the best on the market to take care of your special pup. They'll have climate-specific equipment to properly protect your pooch from the elements, keeping your dog safer when the harsh weather hits.
When to Seek Professional Grooming Help
Struggling to establish the right dog grooming routine for your pup and your climate? A professional dog groomer can help groom your dog depending on their specific needs, so they can thrive where you live. They'll know exactly what to do with your dog's coat, how to protect their skin, and what paw care is needed so your dog's able to keep on moving comfortably.
Here at Guard Dog Training, we groom dogs of all shapes and sizes, including working dogs, so they can thrive in even the harshest of conditions. Whether you're in a hot, cold, windy, or humid environment, a professional dog groomer will use the tools and techniques to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Keep Your Dog Comfortable in Every Season
Having a tailored dog grooming routine is the best way to care for your pup, no matter what climate you're in. Whether you're somewhere humid, chilly, rainy, windy, or searing hot, knowing how to groom your dog for the conditions will mean they're happy and healthy, rather than battling against whatever the weather throws their way.
However, sometimes grooming can get too much — we've been there. That's why we've put together a team of grooming specialists who know how to keep your dog looking and feeling their best. Ready to protect your pooch from the elements? Book a grooming session with Guard Dog Training today, and give your furry friend the best care possible!
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