Washing Your Dog in Winter: Drying, Timing and Cold-Weather Tips
Dogs still get dirty in winter, from slush, road salt, mud on the thaw days and the dog park. Bathing in cold weather is fine. The goal is to make sure your dog doesn't go back outside wet.
A self-serve dog wash is the easiest way to do it. The water is warm, the building is heated and the high-velocity dryer gets a thick coat dry much faster than towels at home.
The most important rule: dry to the skin
A thick double coat like a husky's, a golden's or a Lab's can feel dry on top and stay damp underneath for hours. In cold weather, a damp dog loses heat fast.
How to tell if your dog is dry: - Part the coat in a few places, such as the back, chest and thighs, and touch the skin. It should feel dry, not cool and damp. - The coat should look fluffy, not flat or clumped. - Check the belly, armpits and behind the ears, which dry last.
If you can't get your dog fully dry, plan to keep them inside somewhere warm until they are.
Winter bath tips
Pick the time of day. Wash in the afternoon if you can, so your dog has time to finish drying indoors before evening walks.
Use lukewarm water. Not hot. Hot water dries out skin, which is already a problem in winter.
Towel hard before the dryer. Squeeze water from the coat with your hands, then use two or three towels. The less water in the coat, the faster drying goes.
Use the dryer well. Keep it a few inches from the coat and moving. Work against the direction of the hair to reach the undercoat. Start at the back end and save the head for a towel. See our step-by-step guide for introducing the dryer to a nervous dog.
Leave extra time. Drying a big double-coated dog properly can take longer than the wash itself. If the station charges by the minute, plan for it.
Bring a dry towel or blanket for the car, and warm up the car before you load your dog.
Don't walk a damp dog home in freezing weather.
Road salt and de-icers
Salt and de-icing chemicals can irritate paws and upset stomachs if your dog licks them off. After winter walks:
- Wipe paws with a damp cloth when you get home, including between the toes.
- Check paw pads for cracks, redness or ice balls stuck in the fur.
- Trim the fur between the pads short if snow and ice clump there (or ask a groomer).
- Consider dog booties or a paw balm before walks, if your dog will tolerate them.
A full bath isn't needed after every salty walk. A paw rinse is usually enough.
Dry winter skin
Indoor heat and cold, dry air can leave dogs itchy and flaky in winter. To help:
- Bathe a bit less often if your dog's skin gets dry, and brush more often in between.
- Use a moisturizing dog shampoo, such as an oatmeal formula. Many self-serve washes offer one.
- Rinse thoroughly. Leftover shampoo makes itching worse.
- Ask your vet if flaking, redness or scratching doesn't improve. It could be allergies or another skin issue.
See how often to bathe your dog for a schedule by coat type.
Quick winter checklist
- [ ] Bathe earlier in the day
- [ ] Lukewarm water, moisturizing shampoo
- [ ] Towel thoroughly before drying
- [ ] Dry to the skin (check belly, armpits, ears)
- [ ] Dry towel or blanket for the car
- [ ] Keep your dog inside until fully dry
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