5 winter weather skin tips
In most parts of the country, winter means cold, dry air combined with snowy or rainy days, not to mention salt and other deicers to keep sidewalks and roads clear of snow and ice. We may ramp up the moisturizers for our skin in the winter months, but how can we moisturize our furry pets?
While moisturizer is not practical, there are ways to prevent the itching, flaking, scaling and cracking skin that can accompany the cold and dry weather.
These tips will help you keep your pet’s skin soft and supple through the winter months.
- Grooming. Regular grooming all winter is important to keep your pet’s skin in tip-top shape. Comb or brush your pet regularly to remove mats. Mats cut the airflow in your pet’s haircoat and can trap moisture, leading to skin irritation and infection. While any pet can get mats, some have coats that are susceptible to matting, like cats with cottony coats (e.g., Persians, long-haired cats and calicos with dense fur) and dog breeds like poodles, doodles, Cocker spaniels, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, bichon frises and shih tzus.
- Bathing. During the winter months, bathe your pet less frequently than normal. Bathing too frequently, especially in the winter months, can remove oils from your pet’s skin and haircoat, leading to skin irritation. Pets should only be bathed with a shampoo specially formulated for use on pets. Their skin has a different pH than human skin and any human shampoo—including baby shampoo—is too harsh.
- Humidify your home. Going in and out from the dry warm air of your home to the cold and snowy or rainy weather can lead to dry skin. Keep your home humidified and towel-dry your pet as soon as they come inside.
- Supplement your pet’s diet. Bump up your pet’s winter skin protection by adding omega-3 fatty acids to help prevent dry or flaky skin. Speak to your veterinarian about appropriate supplements for your pet.
- Wash off your pet’s paws or buy booties. Salt and other deicers do a great job keeping the sidewalks snow- and ice-free but can do a real number on your pet’s delicate paws. Use booties if your pet will tolerate them, or wipe your pet’s paws with a warm damp towel when you return from walks to remove the salt. You can also condition your pet’s paw pads with a protective balm.
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