Winter undercoat care

Winter walks around Banbury leave a particular sort of mess: wet mud, road grit, and a dog who is then expected to dry off in a warm kitchen. The coat can cope with a lot of that. What it copes with less well is being left damp, dirty and rubbed by a harness.

Mud and grit

Rinse paws, legs and feathering when you get in, before the mud dries into a cement. Grit and salt from roads can irritate skin between the pads and along the belly. A clean water rinse is usually enough; you do not need a full shampoo after every walk. If the skin is already red or raw, ask your vet, not a grooming blog. Our muddy walks note has more on this habit.

Drying properly

A towel on the surface is a start. A dense undercoat can stay wet underneath, and a damp coat held against the skin is uncomfortable and, over time, can smell and irritate. Towel thoroughly, keep the dog somewhere warm and ventilated, and use a dryer only if your dog accepts it and you can keep the air moving and not too hot. Don’t send a dog to bed wet.

Harnesses and mats

A harness that goes on over a wet or dirty coat, or that sits in the same place every day, will felt the hair underneath. Check the chest, armpits and the line of the straps after walks. Comb those spots while the coat is dry. If a mat has already formed tight to the skin, don’t saw at it — see matted coats.

If winter has left the coat heavy, dirty or tangled and you would like a thorough salon tidy, bring your dog to us in Banbury. We don’t offer mobile visits. Call to ask or to book, and call for directions if you need them.