Winter is a time to snuggle up, stay indoors, and be cozy. Even your dog will agree it’s better to stay inside, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get a little dirty from time to time. The pet care team at Shar-Jo’s Pet Styling & In-Home Pet Sitting, based in Milford, OH, stresses the importance of dog grooming during the winter, even if your furry friend isn’t spending much time outdoors.

It may seem almost unnecessary to stick with your regular dog grooming routine during the winter—after all, isn’t this the season when their “winter coat” comes in to protect their bodies? The truth is, these thick coats require just as much care during the winter as they do at other times of the year. Here are three reasons to keep up with dog grooming during the coldest season of the year:

• Mats Are Painful & Unhealthy: During the winter, fur is more susceptible to trapping excess moisture. It inevitably gets weighed down, and, instead of keeping your dog warm, it can cause discomfort and even pain. Matted fur may even cause skin infections, which can have long-term repercussions if they go undetected and untreated.
• Dogs Get Cold, Too: That bone-chilling freeze you feel when you step outside? Your canine companion feels it, too. If your dog’s fur does get wet, it’s up to you to dry it thoroughly so they don’t suffer. In fact, the wetter the fur and the more time spent inside the heated house, the greater the likelihood your dog’s skin will dry up and become itchy.
• Even Dogs Can Slip: Again, dogs are not unlike humans in that they can also slip on ice! You can prevent this by grooming their nails so they don’t hit the ice and cause your pup to slip and slide. Trim the fur around their paws to prevent excess moisture buildup, too.

Your dog deserves only the best, no matter what time of year it is. For more information on proper dog grooming habits or to learn more about their dog sitting and pet care services, get in touch with Shar-Jo’s Pet Styling & In-Home Pet Sitting today by visiting their website or by calling (513) 831-9457.