How To Care for Your Pet’s Skin During the Winter Season?

The effects of winter weather are both fun and flaky. Fun, because of all the merry festivities, hot coffee dates, the feeling of being wrapped in layers, and the flickering fireplaces that add to the wintery vibes. Why flaky is because of the harshness of the cold winds, and the low humidity that disrupts the pH balance of our skin, turning it itchy, dry, and flaky. Whether we are at home or outside, there is no way to escape these without proper care and protection. Our body needs to maintain a balance of chemicals, bacteria, and moisture to stay soft, supple, and comfortable. This is the case with our fur babies too. They too face similar issues, and their skin needs extra protection to keep winter-related skin ailments away. In this post, we are going to address how we can take care of our paw babies’ beautiful coats during the winter season.

The Bath & Grooming Process

Dandruff is one of the most common conditions that trouble our furries whenever there is a shift in climatic conditions. Dandruff is nothing but dead skin cells that appear on the surface of the scalp and skin. When the skin produces excessive sebum, the dead skin leaves patchy layers on the skin. This issue becomes multi-fold during the winter season. Hence, it is better to get the furry groomed with premium quality pet grooming products apt for winter months.

If you are going with dog grooming at home, then please ensure that the right kind of products suited for your fur baby’s skin, preferably prescribed by a vet dermatologist, is used. If your canine’s skin is already irritated, then the quickest remedy is an oatmeal bath or a soothing medicated shampoo. It is recommended that you see a vet dermatologist if you come across any such issue instead of resorting to self-prescribed treatment and products. A vet dermatologist would assess your furry’s coat and its condition, and basis that, they would prescribe the right topical treatment and appropriate medication if needed.

As a habit, you can use a soft brush on your furry’s coat to stimulate the natural oil glands. Soft brushing also removes any dead skin cells and loose hair strands from the surface thereby facilitating skin repair.

Health and Nutrition Supplements for the Skin

Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of our skin and scalp, irrespective of the season. During winter, it is important for them to have a diet with adequate fatty acids to maintain the coat’s health. If you also want to watch your fur baby’s weight, then you can add Omega-3 or Omega-6 acids to their diet in the form of supplements. Be sure to consult with the pet’s vet about the right kind of diet and supplements to put them on. You can even avail online vet consultation for this.

Environmental Factors

Loss of humidity in the winter air is the cause of concern for the health of our furries as it strips away their pH balance. While we cannot control the external environment, we can make indoor spaces more habitable for our pets by keeping indoor air humidifiers. Make sure to keep the vents open to release trapped allergens in the air. Avoid the use of air deodorizers and scents though as these contain chemicals that can be toxic to our and our fur babies’ health.

Other Reasons That May Lead to Skin Problems in Furries

Apart from seasonal changes, the winter season, there are various factors that can lead to skin problems in our furries such as moulds, dust mites, etc. These allergens should be curbed and kept in check. Other reasons for a skin issue may be related to kidney or liver problems, nutritional imbalances, etc. Persistent scratching can be a sign of a potential skin ailment, the early detection of which is important to prevent the infection from becoming severe.

It is important to consult a vet before beginning any treatment or resorting to any change in grooming methods. For pet home grooming products, you can check out Zigly’s online pet store. For a premium grooming experience, book a grooming appointment with the Zigly team.