As autumn passes and winter comes, while we put on thick winter clothes, skin care is equally important—pet owners should not think only their own face needs maintenance; in fact, pet winter grooming is also a subject not to be ignored. For dogs of various breeds and sizes, there are many things to pay attention to in dog winter grooming. Generally speaking, it revolves around the “five major tricks” and the “three major precautions.” As long as you remember these key points, this winter it will be hard for your dog not to stand out.

　　Five Major Tricks

　　1. Three Steps to Hair Care

　　Winter is dry; not only humans shed dandruff easily, dogs do too. Moreover, shedding isn’t limited to the head but all over the body. In severe cases, dogs even “shake off skin” while walking, which is quite embarrassing and greatly affects the dog’s handsome appearance. To prevent your dog from shedding skin, start with daily bathing.

　　When bathing your dog, choose a moisturizing shampoo, followed by conditioner, just like when we shampoo and condition our hair. After washing and drying your dog, use a hairdryer with strong airflow to dry the fur—do not let the dog air dry naturally to avoid catching a cold. Use warm air and dry the dog’s fur about 90%—too hot or completely dry will ruin the moisturizing effects. Once dry, you can groom your dog with a stylish look.

　　2. Ear Cleaning Solution to Clean Ear Canals

　　A dog’s ears need to be kept clean regularly, but since their ear canals differ from humans’, owners must be particularly careful when cleaning. Before bathing, use a cotton swab to remove shallow earwax; for deeper earwax, use ear cleaning solution or powder as helpers.

　　3. Trim the Hair Between Toes

　　Don’t think the dog’s paws are hidden and don’t need much care. If the nails and hair around the toes grow too long, it not only affects appearance but also poses walking risks because the extra long toe hair makes footing unstable and the dog prone to slipping.

　　4. Cut Only the White Part of the Nails

　　Just like humans can bleed if nails are cut too close to the skin, dogs can too since their nails contain blood vessels and nerves near the quick. When trimming, cut only the white parts. If you accidentally cut into the pink part causing bleeding, use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. After trimming, it is best to file the nails to prevent the dog from scratching itself or the owner.

　5. Trim the PatPat Hair

　　Look good all over, not just the head and feet. Thus, the hair around the dog's PatPat (anus) also needs attention. If too long, not only does it look messy, but poop can stick to it, turning the dog into a “dirty dog.” Regular trimming of the hair near the anus is necessary.

　　Three Major Precautions

　　（1）Avoid Frequent Baths

　　Dogs don’t need daily baths. Because dogs secrete less sebum than humans, frequent baths not only wash away protective oils but also increase the chance of skin diseases. Owners should not use human shampoos out of convenience because human shampoos are too alkaline, disturbing dog skin lipid secretion. If dogs are used to cold water baths from a young age, it is good for health; but for puppies or dogs not used to “cold baths,” colds can easily develop.

　　（2）Don’t Cut the Coat Too Short

　　Winter is cold—cutting a dog’s fur too short removes their natural cold barrier. Even if dressed in clothing, it’s hard for them to keep warm.

　　（3）Don’t Spray Human Perfume

　　Dogs sometimes have strong body odor, especially in winter with fewer baths, which can become unpleasant. Owners must not use human perfumes to mask smells because the alcohol in human perfumes irritates dog skin and can cause skin diseases.