The frigid air of winter can take its toll on humans in a number of different ways, but you can’t forget about your four-legged friends! Your furry companions are susceptible to the cold weather, too, but regular pet grooming can help ward off the negative effects of the season. The pet experts at All Creatures Inn know how the chilly days of winter can affect the normally beautiful coats of animals and are ready to assist all the residents of the Nicholasville, KY, area in protecting their friends from the elements.

First, it’s important to know what aspects of winter negatively impact the coats of animals. Temperature is a major factor: Both the bitter cold and direct, dry heat can damage an animal’s coat. Wind, snow, and ice can also be harmful to a pet’s hair. It’s not only natural elements that affect coats, however. The salt and sand used to melt ice and keep sidewalks safe can also irritate fur. As a result, your best friend’s coat can become matted. Instead of insulating a pet, matted coats provide no warmth, are very uncomfortable, and can even lead to infections.

Keeping your pet clean with proper pet grooming, however, can effectively combat these problems. Whenever your pet has been out in the snow or is damp at all, it’s important to dry them off thoroughly. Brushing their fur regularly also helps combat the problems of mats. Wet fur is much more susceptible to freezing, but the dampness can also make a pet’s skin dry and itchy. Moisturizing shampoo can help return a pet’s skin to its normal, healthy state.

A pet’s nails can also be a concern. During the warmer months, outdoor activity naturally wears down nails. But in the colder months, more indoor time means less wear. This can lead to a buildup of matted hair, snow, and ice, making for an extremely uncomfortable situation. Because of this, it’s important to keep your pet’s nails appropriately clipped.

A snowy winter can mean lots of fun for animals, but it can also introduce issues not associated with other seasons. With the great pet grooming tips above, however, you’ll be able to fight the elements and keep your pet happy and healthy all winter long. Having the experts of All Creatures Inn on your side doesn’t hurt either! For more information about pet grooming, boarding, and more, call (859) 233-9000 or visit their website today.