You take good care of your dog. You give your pup food, long walks, lots of attention, belly rubs, and constant grooming. Well, you might skip the grooming part in the wintertime. Fido needs that extra fur to keep him warm, right? Not necessarily. It’s a common misconception among pet owners that dogs don’t need to be groomed in the winter months. It's true that extra fur can keep your dog warm, but it can also become wet and matted and make them cold. The animal lovers at Robinwood Kennel in Highland Heights, KY, are here to explain why dog grooming is essential, even during the winter.

There are many breeds of dogs with long, dense, double-coated fur. They are better prepared to withstand winter cold than short-haired pups, but if that fur isn’t maintained, it can turn into a matted mess. Matted fur doesn’t keep a dog warm. Instead, it presses moisture up against the skin and turns into a breeding ground for bacteria and infections, which can cause discomfort or even pain. Keeping a dog’s fur soft, dry, and trimmed is essential to his or her health.

Here are some ways to keep your canine best friend's fur healthy this winter:

• Doggie Drying: Be sure to dry your dog thoroughly after spending any time outside. Don’t depend on the heat inside the house to do it for you; dry forced air can make a dog’s skin itchy and irritated.
• Beneficial Brushing: Brushing is one of the best dog grooming techniques and should be done all year round. It prevents fur from getting matted or tangled and distributes the skin's natural oils to condition your dog’s coat.
• Neat Nails: Regular walks help to wear nails down, but if you’re not as active in the winter, your dog's nails may grow too long and create balance problems. In addition, excess hair around the feet can trap snow and ice, making walking cold and uncomfortable for your dog. It’s a good idea to get their nails clipped and trim the fur around the paws to keep them comfortable.

The professionals at Robinwood specialize in dog grooming, and can help keep your pup trimmed and tidy this winter. Robinwood Kennel offers a multitude of other services, like pet sitting, pet daycare, dog boarding, cat boarding, and even cat grooming. Is your dog's fur getting a little long? Don’t wait, call (859) 781-2352 and make an appointment with Kentucky's best dog groomers. Visit the website for more information.