As we head to cooler temps, now is the time to prepare for your pet’s needs. While most people routinely winterize their house, cars and wardrobe, it is absolutely essential to include your pets in the winterization process.
All pets should have wellness check-ups by their vet to ensure they are ready for winter. Cold weather can further irritate arthritis and other medical conditions and make it more difficult for your pet to regulate their body temperate.
Make sure your furry friend is protected from vents that can be blowing hot and cold air which can be drying to their skin and coat as well as drafts that can make them susceptible to colds. Certain parts of their body are more impacted by the weather than other parts including paws, noses, and ears.
Paw Rescue
Paw protection is vital in winter as snow, ice and rock salt for deicing can damage paw pads and can cause a chemical burn. Dog paws may become dry, chapped, itchy, flaky and downright painful due to walking directly on cold snow. Their paws need protection.
Pure and Natural Pet offers an award winning USDA Certified Organic Paw Rescue balm. It features organic Beeswax that creates a natural barrier between your dog’s paws and the snow. Their new and improved container allows for easier application. It has healing and moisturizing properties to help combat skin dryness associated with this time of year. Make sure to reapply the balm after returning from walks.
Nose Rescue
Cold winter weather and wind can impact a dog’s sensitive nose, and forced air indoors can further dry a sore and chapped nose. A “weathered nose” can appear cracked and crusty. A dry, winter nose can be kept clean and healthy by applying a thin layer of Pure and Natural Pet’s USDA Certified Organic Nose Rescue. Nose Rescue hydrates skin while creating a protective barrier that won’t clog pores.
You may be tempted to use your own sunscreen or lip balm to treat your dog’s crusty nose. Human products are only tested for use on humans and often have chemicals or perfume that can be harmful for pets.
Pet Wipes
A Pet Wipe allows you to quickly remove ice, salt, chemicals, and caked-on mud. It’s important to wipe between the toes to remove debris. Cleaning up paws will not only protect your floors, but also will allow you to see any paw problems that might need attention while preventing others from developing. Caked on dirt may hide wounds and chronically dirty feet can cause inflammation and abrasions.
Pure and Natural Pet makes Grooming & Cleansing Pet Wipes that are larger than other wipes and biodegradable. They have antibacterial properties and remove odors exceptionally well, while soothing and hydrating delicate skin that can become dry from the elements. Their wipes are also free of sulfates, parabens and alcohol that can be harmful to your dog and the environment.
Ear Cleansing
Like humans, dogs react to extreme temperature changes. Due to the lack of blood vessels in a dog’s ears, they can get chilly after only a few minutes and are susceptible to frostbite damage. It’s important to clean your dogs’ ears when they’ve been playing outside in the wet snow or ice. Added moisture is a common cause of painful ear infections, so be sure to thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after going outside in the winter. Best Friends Pet Hotel’s Grooming Salons use Pure and Natural Pet’s USDA Certified Organic Ear Cleansing Kit to naturally clean and heal your dog’s ear. The dual-sided medical grade Pure Tips clean while the Witch Hazel and Mullein Oil Ear Serum deodorizes and disinfects.
Waterless Shampoo
When it’s cold outside it may not be ideal for your pup to have a “traditional” bath especially if you are in the habit of letting them dry out in the sunshine. When it’s chilly outside you need bath options. It’s important to keep up a grooming routine even during the winter months not only to help keep your dog smelling fresh but also to help prevent fleas, prevent matting, and notice any lumps and bumps that your dog’s winter coat might hide.
Best Friends Pet Hotel’s Grooming Salons have a waterless option for pets made by Pure and Natural Pet. It is a great option as it helps lift out oils and dirt without the need for a rinse. It’s a stress and mess-free way to keep your dog clean and smelling fresh between baths. It is also great for cats who tend to be difficult bathers. Their natural, no-rinse formula is blended with lavender and chamomile to soothe and moisturize your pet’s skin.
Conclusion
The cold weather can have a negative impact to the sensitive areas of your pet including their paws, nose and ears. Ensuring you keep up with their grooming maintenance is key to their health. Best Friends Pet Hotel Grooming Salons use Pure and Natural Pet products to protect them from the elements and avoid injury or infection.
About Pure and Natural Pet
Best Friends has thought a lot about how we can give the best to you and your pets. That’s why we are proudly partnered with Pure and Natural Pet. They are passionate about Organic Pet Wellness & Grooming and are:
- Industry Leaders in USDA Certified Organic
- Ingredient and Education Focused
- Proudly USA Made & Cruelty Free
- Award Recipients for their Winning Formula
Learn more about their products or book a grooming appointment at Best Friends Pet Hotel.
Reproduced with permission from Pure and Natural Pet (https://pureandnaturalpet.com/)
Cold winter weather is hard on skin and hair for pets as well as for people. Just as the low humidity of heated indoor air dries out your skin, it can also dry out your pet’s skin and create static in his coat. With a little extra T.L.C, during the winter months, however, you can help to keep your pet comfortable and maintain his skin and coat health. These five simple tips will benefit your pup during the winter months.
Frequent brushing is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer, especially on longer-coated breeds. Before bathing your dog, you should remove tangles and loose hair in order to prevent matting. Matting is a major cause of skin problems during the winter months. Matts prevent airflow and trap moisture, which create bacteria. This can cause redness and irritation and make your pet uncomfortable.
While brushing regularly will prevent matting, it also has a secondary benefit to aid your pet during the winter months. Regular brushing, with a soft bristle brush, stimulates the natural oils in your pet’s skin and helps to counteract dryness keeping your pet more comfortable. The more often you brush, the better – let the fluff fly!
If your pet is a breed that requires regular trimming, it’s important to maintain his haircut schedule year-round. Don’t allow his hair to “grow in for the winter” unless you are prepared to brush him daily to prevent matting. Those, concerned about your pet being cold, can help him bundle up with a sweater or jacket – a better option than letting his fur coat get too long creating tangles and matts.
Yes, our pets love to be pampered.
When they’re groomed it’s as if they want to tell the world how happy and healthy they feel. Most of the time this excitement is about pure glee, other times it’s their attempt to get relief from the scent of products we use to clean them.
Ask your Groomer about brushing their teeth at your next grooming appointment.
The grooming environment is just as important as the groom.
Remove collars, bandanas, tags, and leashes before their bath and during the drying process to avoid injury. These items could get caught in styling apparatus or holding crates. A tidy, safe, contained area where the zoomies won’t cause harm to your pet or to their surroundings is your best bet. Appropriate, sterilized, and spacious grooming rooms are made with zoomies in mind. 
About The Author:
Christine A. Bournias resides in Michigan with her 2-pack; two new beautiful adopted miracles. As her “Angelwriter”, Nicodemus (1997-2010) is the wisdom behind the stories she shares. Christine champions the magnitude of building the bond between a dog and their person(s) by means of respectful communication and enduring admiration. 
