Winter weather does not stop our dogs from wanting their daily walks and outdoor adventures. While muddy tracks, cold winds and rainy days can be lots of fun, they can also leave your dog with wet paws, a damp coat, stubborn mud and uncomfortable knots and tangles.
Cold outdoor conditions combined with warm indoor heating can deplete moisture from the skin and leave the coat dry, brittle and more vulnerable to breakage. Mud and moisture trapped close to the skin can also create an environment where irritation, bacteria and skin infections may develop.
Whether your dog needs a quick clean after a wet walk or a complete bath following a particularly muddy adventure, a few simple winter grooming habits will help keep their skin, coat, paws and ears clean, healthy and comfortable throughout the colder months.
1. Brush Before Heading Outdoors
Regular brushing is essential throughout winter, particularly for dogs with long, fluffy, fleece, curly, heavy or double coats. Removing loose coat and existing knots before your dog becomes wet helps prevent small tangles from tightening into difficult and uncomfortable mats.
For long, double and curly coats, lightly spray smith&burton’s Detangler Spray & Leave-in Conditioner over the coat and brush through. The leave-in formula helps detangle while conditioning, strengthening and protecting the coat from further knots, damage and breakage. Pay particular attention behind the ears, beneath the front legs, across the chest, around the legs and anywhere a collar, harness or jacket may rub against the coat. The leave-in formula conditions, strengthens and protects the coat while helping prevent additional knots and tangles from forming
2. Choose Winter Gear Carefully
A well-fitted weatherproof jacket can help keep some dogs warm and reduce the amount of rain and mud reaching the coat. This can be particularly helpful for puppies, senior dogs, fine or short-coated breeds and dogs that feel the cold.
Make sure the jacket allows your dog to move freely and does not rub beneath the front legs, around the neck or across the chest. Friction against a damp coat can quickly contribute to knots and matting.
Never place a jacket over a wet or tangled coat, and always remove it once you are home. Wet jackets, collars and harnesses should be properly cleaned and completely dried before being used again.
3. Protect the Paws
Winter walks expose paws to cold, wet ground, mud, grit and rough terrain. In colder climates, snow, ice and products used on roads and pathways can also leave paw pads dry, rough and uncomfortable.
Before heading outdoors, apply a thin layer of smith&burton’s Heal & Protect Soothe Balm to clean, dry paw pads. The 100% natural balm creates a protective barrier from the elements and everyday terrain while deeply hydrating, smoothing and conditioning the skin.
After your walk, clean the paws and check between the toes and around the nails for compacted mud, grit, small stones, cuts or signs of irritation. Once the paws are clean and completely dry, reapply the balm to replenish moisture and care for dry or rough pads.
4. Keep Post-Walk Clean-ups Quick and Easy
Keep a pack of smith&burton’s Purifying Cleansing Wipes beside the front door and another in the car for quick and convenient clean-ups after wet and muddy walks.
Wipe your dog’s paws, between the toes, lower legs, belly and under-tail before they climb back into the car or walk through the house. This helps keep muddy footprints off your floors and car seats while gently removing dirt and impurities from the skin and coat.
For muddier areas that need more than a wipe but do not require a full bath, use smith&burton’s Waterless Foam Shampoos, with no water or rinsing required, they provide a quick and easy way to remove dirt for the entire coat or for spot cleaning. Apply the creamy foam directly to the dirty coat or paws, work it through and remove the excess dirt with a dry towel, no rinsing is needed. Allow the coat to dry naturally or use a hair dryer on a low temperature setting, ensuring the coat and skin are completely dry.
5. Dry the Coat and Skin Completely
Drying your dog properly after wet walks and bathing is one of the most important parts of winter grooming. A coat may feel dry on the surface while still holding moisture close to the skin, particularly on dogs with long, thick, curly or double coats. Leaving the skin damp can cause irritation and create an environment where bacteria and other skin issues may develop.
Begin by gently squeezing excess moisture from the coat with a clean, absorbent towel. Avoid vigorously rubbing the coat, as this can create knots and tangles. Then, preferably use a hair dryer on a low temperature setting to dry through the coat and down to the skin. Keep the dryer moving, hold it at a safe distance and regularly check the temperature against your own skin to ensure it is not becoming too warm.
Part thicker areas of the coat as you dry and pay particular attention beneath the front legs, around the chest and belly, behind the ears, under collars and harnesses and between the toes. Your dog’s coat and skin should be completely dry before they settle into bed or have a jacket put back on.
6. Keep the Inside Ear Flaps Clean and Dry
Winter is also an important time to pay attention to your dog’s ears. Rain, bathing and damp fur around the head can leave moisture inside the ear flap. When the visible inside surface of the ear flap is not kept clean and dry, bacteria and yeast can thrive and contribute to irritation and ear infections.
Regularly clean any visible gunk inside the surface of each ear flap with a smith&burton Purifying Cleansing Wipe or a soft, clean cloth. Never push anything into the ear canal.
If the inner ear flap is dirty or has visible wax or build-up, pump smith&burton’s Waterless Foam Shampoo Hypoallergenic onto a clean cloth and gently wipe the inner ear flap to clean it easily and hygienically.
For dogs with long, floppy ears, keep the ear flap up or open to allow air to circulate until the inner ear is completely dry. This helps prevent the warm, moist conditions that can lead to nasty ear irritation and infections.
Regularly check for redness, excessive wax, discharge, swelling, sensitivity or an unusual smell. These may indicate an ear problem that should be assessed by your veterinarian.
7. Choose the Right Winter Shampoo
Winter does not mean your dog should stop having their regular baths. While spot cleaning is useful between washes, maintaining their normal bathing routine is important for thoroughly cleansing the skin and coat for healthy lustre and shine.
When a full bath and thorough cleanse is required, we recommend smith&burton’s Detoxifying Protein Shampoo to gently and effectively, deeply-clean and clarify the skin and coat. With activated Charcoal it helps lift away stubborn dirt that everyday wiping and spot cleaning may not completely remove.
Winter weather and indoor heating can also leave the coat dry, brittle and more vulnerable to damage. The formula contains a natural keratin protein made from pure New Zealand Wool, which helps rebuild, strengthen and protect the coat while supporting resilience, elasticity and shine.
During winter, regular exposure to mud and dampness can compromise the skin and contribute to irritation and infections. In these situations, an antibacterial wash can be particularly helpful to address the issue and help prevent it from occurring. We recommend smith&burton’s Dermal Relief 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo with its naturally antibacterial ingredients being particularly beneficial when regular exposure to mud, dampness and environmental grime can compromise the skin and contribute to irritation or infection.
It is also ideal for skin affected by allergies, and as a 2-in-1, it makes an ideal wash for very muddy paws. Mix a few pumps of the shampoo into a bowl or bucket of warm water and allow paws to soak. Remove and rinse each paw in clear warm water, and towel dry thoroughly.
8. The Importance of Conditioner in Winter
Winter’s cold winds, wet weather and indoor heating can all draw moisture from your dog’s skin. When bathing your dog during winter, do not skip the conditioner. Always follow a shampoo with a smith&burton Conditioner to help return moisture to the skin while smoothing and closing the hair shaft. This helps the coat release water more easily, speeding up drying time during the colder months and leaving it softer, easier to brush and more manageable between grooms.
9. Brush and Check the Skin Regularly
Regular brushing is an important part of your dog’s winter health care. It not only keeps the coat free from loose hair, dirt and tangles, but also gives you the opportunity to closely check the condition of both the skin and coat.
For long, double and curly coats, lightly spray smith&burton’s Detangler Spray & Leave-in Conditioner over the coat and brush through. For individual knots or mats, spray the product directly onto the area, allow it to sit for at least two minutes and gently separate the tangle with your fingers before carefully combing it out.
As you brush, look and feel for dryness, flaking, redness, irritation, sores, lumps, excessive shedding, coat breakage or any other changes that may need attention. Pay particular attention to areas hidden beneath jackets, collars and harnesses, as well as behind the ears and beneath the front legs.
For areas of dry, flaky, itchy or irritated skin, smith&burton’s Dermal Relief Topical Spray can be applied directly to the skin. Part the coat, spray liberally over the affected area and allow it to dry naturally. Its 100% natural, fragrance-free formula helps soothe, calm, replenish and repair the skin, and helps prevent any minor skin irritation developing into a more serious skin issue.
10. Keep the Coat Smelling Fresh and Clean
Damp winter weather can leave a lingering wet coat smell, even when your dog does not need another bath. Mist with a smith&burton Cologne to deodorise and freshen the coat between washes.
Our lightweight Eau de toilette formulas are made with Certified 100% Natural fragrance and help keep unwanted damp winter coat odours away while also conditioning the coat. They are also perfect for spraying onto the coat, helping condition the hair and reduce breakage while leaving your dog smelling beautifully fresh and clean.
Remember that your dog’s bedding, blankets, towels, jackets, collars and harnesses also need to be regularly cleaned and completely dried. Damp bedding and accessories can hold moisture, dirt, bacteria and odour and transfer them straight back onto your dog’s freshly cleaned skin and coat.
With regular brushing, quick post-walk clean-ups, thorough drying and the right skin and coat care, your dog can continue enjoying rainy walks, muddy adventures and crisp winter days while remaining clean, healthy, comfortable and beautifully groomed.
We invite you to explore smith&burton’s premium, naturally effective winter grooming essentials at smithandburton.com.
Products featured: Purifying Cleansing Wipes, Waterless Foam Shampoos, Detangler Spray & Leave-in Conditioner, Detoxifying Protein Shampoo, Dermal Relief 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo, Conditioner Collection, Dermal Relief Topical Spray, Heal & Protect Soothe Balm and the Cologne Collection.
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