Winter dog grooming tips for the muddy months
Muddy fields, wet walks and damp coats. Here's how to keep your dog's coat clean, comfortable and tangle free right through an Essex winter.
Winter is my busiest time for muddy, tangled coats. Between soggy fields, puddles and short, dark days, it's easy for a dog's coat to go from fluffy to felted in a matter of weeks. The good news is that a few small habits at home make a huge difference.
1. Dry them properly after every walk
Damp hair tangles far more easily than dry hair, and a coat that stays wet for hours is the perfect start for mats, especially on curly and wavy coats like cockapoos and doodles. After a wet walk, towel dry your dog thoroughly, paying extra attention to their legs, belly, armpits and behind the ears.
Groomer's tip: squeeze and press the towel into the coat rather than rubbing it in circles. Rubbing creates tangles.
2. Let the mud dry, then brush it out
It sounds odd, but dried mud is much easier to remove than wet mud. Once your dog is dry, a good brush will lift most of it straight out. Brushing wet, muddy hair just smears the dirt deeper into the coat.
3. Keep up with brushing
Little and often is the key. A few minutes of brushing every couple of days, right down to the skin, stops small knots turning into mats. Focus on the friction spots where mats love to form: behind the ears, under the collar or harness, the armpits and the backs of the legs.
Not sure where to start? Have a read of my guide on how to prevent mats between grooms.
4. Take the harness or coat off at home
Harnesses and dog coats are brilliant for winter walks, but if they stay on all day they rub against the fur and cause matting underneath. Take them off once you're home and give those areas a quick brush.
5. Look after their paws
Rinse your dog's paws with lukewarm water after walks on gritted roads, and dry well between the toes. Have a look between the pads for any small stones or bits of mud that have got stuck.
6. Stick to their grooming routine
It's tempting to skip a groom in winter, but this is when coats need it most. I recommend a full groom every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the breed of your dog. If your dog is getting particularly muddy, a Bath & Dry in between keeps their coat fresh, and a Mud Mask Treatment is a lovely deep clean for their skin.
Prefer a little more length to keep them cosy? Just let me know when you book and we can chat about the best length for your dog's coat and lifestyle.
What if the coat is already matted?
If your dog is matted, their coat will have to be clipped short. It's the kindest option for them. We can then grow the coat back and get the look you'd like, and I'll show you how to care for your dog's coat at home so it doesn't happen again.
Izzy is a City & Guilds Level 2 and 3 qualified groomer, a BIGA member and an award winner at multiple dog grooming competitions, including competing at Crufts. She runs Izzy's Groom Room in Little Totham, near Maldon.
