It’s the last few days of winter. Everyone wants to enjoy the nip in the air with piping hot chai and pakoras. But if you suffer from dry skin, winter is a less than idyllic time and the same goes for your fur pals too.  With the advent of winter many pets are plagued with dry, flakey, itchy skin.

So, make sure you go through this winter skin checklist to keep the mood cheery in your home.

Begin with frequent checks of your doggo’s skin:

The sooner skin issues are dealt with, the easier the solution tends to be. So, don’t give it a chance to be aggravated by regular checks and treatments.

Tweak your pet’s skin care routine for the winter:

If you find that certain products are drying out your pet’s skin, switch to gentler brands at this time. Products which have parabens, alcohols and other ingredients that are harsh and drying for skin should be avoided. Natural or organic cleansers with conditioning properties can help dry skin.

Products with strong perfumes which contain alcohols and chemicals could also be avoided. Look for IFRA certified allergen free fragrances.

The Maw and Paw shampoo with conditioner has been formulated to provide intensive conditioning for dry skin and fur. It has been infused with potent herbal extracts like aloe Vera and hibiscus and Ayurvedic oils. It is also free of parabens and alcohols with a gentle and safe fragrance.

Pure extracts of coconut oil and olive oil can help reduce skin dryness.  Topical application and massage can be done to the entire body or dry patches before every bath.

Dietary changes might also help with dryness: 

Many pet parents believe that giving dogs small amounts of fresh coconut and even oils as part of their diet helps dry skin. It also adds luster to fur.

It is essential to give your dog good quality pet food for their body and skin to be healthy. You can ask your veterinarian for recommendations based on your pet’s specific requirements.

Fresh home cooked, nutritious food can also be a food addition to the diet. Make sure your pet is drinking enough water and staying hydrated.

Make sure you adapt your grooming routine to the condition of your pet’s skin:

Frequent brushing can help with removing dead skin and flakes. It also helps distribute and stimulate the natural oils of the skin. Frequency of bathing could be reduced slightly to avoid stripping of natural oils from the skin. Make sure to use natural products without fragrance. Chemical products with strong fragrances could further disturb the pH balance of skin and irritate it.

Try natural therapies like oatmeal baths, abhyanga massage, application of aloe Vera to soothe your pet’s skin. Use in small quantities for a patch test first if your pet tends to be sensitive to new substances. But these treatments are effective, reasonable and have less long-term side effects.

All the efforts will be well worth it when your happy pet cuddles up to you for some much-deserved TLC.