Dog grooming is not just a “summer thing.”

In fact, proper dog grooming is just as important for the safety and well-being of your pet during the winter as it is during the warmer months. A healthy coat is like a thermos—it acts as a temperature regulator, keeping warmth in during the winter and keeping heat out in summer. This requires basic care, such as bathing, brushing, being moisturized, and eliminating mats and tangles. To help your dog achieve that healthy winter coat, here are five dog grooming areas that need extra attention when cold days roll around.

Pay Special Attention to Nails

Most people are not as active and tend to not run or walk as much with their dogs during the winter and animals spend more time in the house on soft carpets, so nails definitely do not wear down as much. If you do not take your dog to a groomer regularly, it might pay off to have a pair of dog nail clippers or a dog nail grinder at home.

Trim the Hair between the Toes

In the winter snow, mud or moisture can get stuck in the hair between the toes and pads leading to inflammation and constant licking of the paws. Part of protecting dog paws in winter requires trimming the hair with scissors on the feet and between the paw pads to make it easier to wipe them clean of all debris post-walk.

Protect the Paws

Winter weather is tough on paws. To protect your pup, consider getting him some winter doggie shoes. If your dog is not fond of dog boots, you can invest in some Snout and Paw Balm. It creates a breathable but dense layer of protection that will keep your dog’s paws safe from sand, ice or snow.

Take Care of Dry Skin

Dry dog skin is more common for the same reasons that our skin can get drier in the winter—artificial, dry heat. Regular bathing (and proper drying) with a special moisturizing dog shampoo can help with dry dog skin.

There are also supplements , such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can be taken orally to help replenish natural skin oils.

Don’t Forget Regular Brushing

Often owners of long-haired dogs (e.g. Poodles and Yorkies) fall victim to the idea that dog grooming should cease for the winter. They believe that they need their long coats to keep them warm in the winter. The problem here is that longer coats require more frequent grooming to keep it healthy and mat-free or eventually it becomes unmanageable.

Whether you need to do daily or weekly brushing will depend on the type of coat, its length and whether the hair is prone to tangling. A short coat will be fine with a bristle brush, but a longer, thicker coat may require a stronger, more rigid brush . Some coats even require special tools to get through the thickness of the coat.