What happens to your dog's skin in winter including their nose and paws.

What Happens to your Dog's Skin in Winter Including Their Nose and Paws

Dogs can experience various skin issues during winter, including dryness and cracking of their nose and paws. Here are some key points about what happens to a dog's skin in winter and how to prevent issues.

Here's what you need to know.

Why simple itching can produce major health problems for your dog.

We will examine basics of what causes itching, what secondary symptoms you can look for, several non-obvious causes of itching that are often overlooked and what can be done to manage this very common problem for pet owners.

One important challenge for pet owners is to understand that itching itself is not the problem. It is the resultant scratching that the animal undertakes that is the issue. This intermittent scratching and licking may result in hair loss, scaling, odor and fluid discharge. Chronic scratching can result in infection and wounds which then may result in serious conditions to your pet’s overall health.

1. Dry Air 

Winter air, both indoors and outdoors, can be very dry. This lack of humidity can lead to dry, itchy skin and cracking of the nose and paws. 

2. Cold Temperatures 

Cold weather can cause a dog's skin to dry out and become flaky. This is particularly true for their nose and paw pads, which are exposed to the elements.

Here's what you need to know.

Why simple itching can produce major health problems for your dog.

1. Dry Air

 Winter air, both indoors and outdoors, can be very dry. This lack of humidity can lead to dry, itchy skin and cracking of the nose and paws.

 

Why simple itching can produce major health problems for your dog.

2. Cold Temperatures

Cold weather can cause a dog's skin to dry out and become flaky. This is particularly true for their nose and paw pads, which are exposed to the elements.

Why simple itching can produce major health problems for your dog.

3. Indoor Heating

 Indoor heating systems can further reduce humidity levels indoors, exacerbating skin dryness.

Why simple itching can produce major health problems for your dog.

4. Salt and Chemicals

 In areas where roads and sidewalks are salted or chemically treated for ice, these substances can irritate a dog's paws, leading to dryness and cracking.

Prevention Tips

 

  1. Paw Protection: Use dog booties or paw balms to protect your dog's paws from cold temperatures and harsh chemicals on the ground.  

  1. Moisturize: Apply a pet-safe moisturizer to your dog's nose and paws to prevent and treat dryness.  

  1. Humidify: Use a humidifier in your home to maintain a more dog-friendly level of humidity.  

  1. Regular Checks: Regularly check your dog's paws and nose for signs of cracking or irritation, especially after walks.  

  1. Grooming: Avoid over-bathing your dog in winter, as this can strip away natural oils. Use a moisturizing shampoo when you do bathe them.  

  1. Diet and Supplements: Ensure your dog has a healthy diet, possibly supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help maintain healthy skin.  

  1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Rinse your dog's paws after walks to remove any salt or chemicals from the road or sidewalk. 

3. Indoor Heating

Indoor heating systems can further reduce humidity levels indoors, exacerbating skin dryness. of parasitic infections or allergies. 

 

4. Salt and Chemicals

In areas where roads and sidewalks are salted or chemically treated for ice, these substances can irritate a dog's paws, leading to dryness and cracking. 

Prevention Tips

  1. Paw Protection: Use dog booties or paw balms to protect your dog's paws from cold temperatures and harsh chemicals on the ground. 

 

  1. Moisturize: Apply a pet-safe moisturizer to your dog's nose and paws to prevent and treat dryness.  

  1. Humidify: Use a humidifier in your home to maintain a more dog-friendly level of humidity.  

  1. Regular Checks: Regularly check your dog's paws and nose for signs of cracking or irritation, especially after walks.  

  1. Grooming: Avoid over-bathing your dog in winter, as this can strip away natural oils. Use a moisturizing shampoo when you do bathe them.  

  1. Diet and Supplements: Ensure your dog has a healthy diet, possibly supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help maintain healthy skin.  

  1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Rinse your dog's paws after walks to remove any salt or chemicals from the road or sidewalk.  

Implementing these practices can help keep your dog's skin healthy and prevent discomfort during the winter months. 

The most common Dermatological Problems in Animals include:

Pruritus (Itching) & crusting

Alopecia (hair loss)

Scaling

Erosions & Ulcerations

Nonhealing wounds

Nodules & Tumors

The most common causes of itching in dogs are:

 

Skin and hair dehydration is another potential issue. If your pet’s skin is dehydrated and becomes dry and scaly then this will provoke an itching response and then the subsequent scratching can result in significant unwanted issues.

We will discuss in upcoming blogs more about skin and hair health.

Watch Dog™ technology is a natural, sustainable effective blend of ingredients to improve and maintain the scalp, skin & hair of pets for improved skin and hair health. This technology improves scalp barrier function, hydrates and helps to slow irritation and provides brighter, softer and more manageable fur and hair. It contains anti-oxidants including Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract to slow free radical damage and will maintain healthy skin and hair balance.

Watch Dog™ technology is a natural, sustainable effective blend of ingredients to improve and maintain the scalp, skin & hair of pets for improved skin and hair health. This technology improves scalp barrier function, hydrates and helps to slow irritation and provides brighter, softer and more manageable fur and hair. It contains anti-oxidants including Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract to slow free radical damage and will maintain healthy skin and hair balance.

Watch Dog™ technology is a natural, sustainable effective blend of ingredients to improve and maintain the scalp, skin & hair of pets for improved skin and hair health. This technology improves scalp barrier function, hydrates and helps to slow irritation and provides brighter, softer and more manageable fur and hair. It contains anti-oxidants including Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract to slow free radical damage and will maintain healthy skin and hair balance.

Watch Dog™ technology is a natural, sustainable effective blend of ingredients to improve and maintain the scalp, skin & hair of pets for improved skin and hair health. This technology improves scalp barrier function, hydrates and helps to slow irritation and provides brighter, softer and more manageable fur and hair. It contains anti-oxidants including Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract to slow free radical damage and will maintain healthy skin and hair balance.

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We believe a Sentient Pet hasself awareness, the ability to think, and the capacity to experience emotions. They are able to form complex relationships, much like humans, there by experiencing and providing Unconditional Love

LOFTY PET®

Goshen, NY

loftypet.com

1. 800. 234. 1308

LOFTY PET®

Goshen, NY

loftypet.com

1. 800. 234. 1308

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