Winter Skin and Coat Care for Pets: Tips for Keeping Your Furry Friends Comfortable

It can be dry, cool, and overcast throughout the winter months here in Los Gatos, and the weather’s impact on a pet’s skin and coat can range from subtle to extreme. It isn’t any fun to experience dry, itchy skin, especially when symptoms lead to pain, secondary skin infections, and irritability. With our winter skin and coat care tips, local pets can look forward to a season of limited dryness and overall comfort. 

A Perfect Storm

The winter months are known for causing dry skin and hair. The humidity drops, and it can be windy and cool. Additionally, when pets travel between the chilly outdoors and the artificial warmth of the indoors, the effects on the skin and coat can be extremely drying. 

While you certainly don’t want to curtail how much exercise a pet continues to receive throughout winter, it may be in their best interest to cut back on how long they are exposed to the cold weather. Even if they aren’t sensitive to the temperatures, or prone to developing skin conditions, winter’s chill can still wreak havoc on their skin. 

How to Achieve Supple Skin

Regular baths and grooming are essential to pet wellness, but excessive moisture on already dry skin may deplete the skin’s natural oils. What’s worse, certain pet shampoos or soaps can add to this imbalance and further exacerbate drying of the skin and coat. 

• Limit how many baths your pet receives throughout the winter 
• Purchase a moisturizing shampoo or cleanser, and only use the smallest amount to thoroughly clean their coat
• Try to adjust the temperature of bath water so it’s never hotter than lukewarm
• Gently towel dry them afterwards; if you use a blow dryer, be sure the heat is down
• Add humidity to the indoor environment by setting up a humidifier near places your pet likes to hang out or sleep. 
• Turn on fans to circulate the humidity throughout the home
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery every week to decrease indoor allergens. 

Brushing the coat every few days can stimulate the hair follicles and move the skin’s natural oils around to protect it from the drying effects of the weather. This repetitive action removes loose hair and dead skin from the coat, increases circulation, and promotes overall health. 

Adjusting Your Pet’s Diet

Balanced nutrition plays a big role in skin and coat health. You can take stock of your pet’s food and snacks, and take the opportunity to make changes if necessary. Adding certain nutrients or supplements can nourish the skin and protect it from the harsh elements of winter. We can help you find the right products that add vitality to the coat and protect the skin from winter extremes. 

Winter Pet Grooming

If your pet’s itching and irritability persist, please reach out to us at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center. Skin conditions can develop as the result of parasites, allergies, kidney/liver problems, or hormonal imbalances and should be addressed right away. 

Please call our staff at (408) 402-307 with any questions or concerns about your skin’s winter skin and coat health.