Happy winter… Grooming, – By Varun Daroch

A well-groomed pooch looks like an angel any time. Let’s make our pooch look good and feel good, even during the chilly winter. Winter can be hard on your pooch. Make sure the pet stays as warm as possible to prevent chill and illnesses. And it is important to note that grooming is a must in winter. Here are a few tips to help your pooch shine:

• Brush your short-coated pooch at least 3-5 times a week to keep shedding to minimum. Frequent brushing in winter will also keep your dog’s coat shiny, clean, and healthy.
• Long-haired dogs also need grooming regularly to keep them properly insulated. Use a good slicker brush and a metal comb to groom your dog. Regular brushing, at least once a day, will keep your dog’s coat tangle-free.
• If you make your long-haired dogs wear dog sweaters and coats, it can encourage underarm matting, so keep an eye for those tangles and comb them out before they become mats.
• The winter season can be very hard on your dog’s paws. So, regular paw grooming and maintenance can minimise problems such as cracking, sores, blisters and infections.
• Examine the foot pads and between the toes for any inflammation.
• Use Vaseline on your pet’s paws to protect them from drying.
• Trim the hair between your pet’s toes to reduce the chance of collecting debris.
• When the need be dry clean or bathe your dog, be sure it is done fast in a warm environment.
• Since cold weather may make your dog’s skin dry and itchy, choose a moisturising shampoo and conditioner for your dog.
• Brush your dog thoroughly before giving a bath. Make sure you have removed any mats and excess hair before bath.
• Use warm water to bathe your dog. The water should be warm enough to be comfortable for your dog but not so hot as to burn the skin.
• Put a number of towels on the floor. The towels will help dry the dog quickly and absorb any dripping water while drying your pet.
• Use a blow dryer to dry your dog quickly in winter. Use it on lowest heat setting and keep it at least six inches from your dog’s skin, so that you don’t burn him.
• Use a dry shampoo if you do not want to bathe your dog when it’s too cold. Apply a liberal amount of the spray to the coat, brush it into the hair, and towel dry the dog.

Your dog is now clean and tidy. Happy winter!
(Varun Daroch runs Shevar Spa & Grooming Parlour for Pets (established in 2008) in Koramangala, Bengaluru. He is a certified canine and feline groomer trained in Singapore; www.shevar.com)