dog coats

May 30 2019

Why is it Important to Brush Long-Haired Dogs?

melissa Grooming, Lifestyle dog coats, dog grooming, healthy coat

Your long-haired dog’s beautiful coat is one of her most endearing features and may be one of your favorite things about her—until her coat needs serious grooming attention. You likely already follow a regular grooming routine to keep her looking her best—but did you know this regular attention also helps you keep her healthy? Learn how regular grooming tasks improve your dog’s appearance AND her overall well-being, and help you prevent the dreaded mats that can occur with long-haired breeds.

Brushing

Beyond just smoothing your dog’s fur and preventing potential tangles and mats, regular brushing helps to remove dead hair, dirt, debris, and dandruff. The stimulation of the brush against your dog’s skin also helps to bring out natural oils and distribute them throughout the fur. Regular brushing also helps you identify any potential pests, such as fleas, or skin problems that may be related to allergies or illnesses. This regular activity can help you catch a health issue early.

How often should you brush your dog? For long-haired breeds, groomers recommend brushing every day to keep the hair free of tangles and prevent matting. Pay attention to areas of friction, such as the armpits or under your dog’s collar, or the spots that rub against her bed when she’s relaxing, such as her hips and shoulders. Brush one small section at a time. If you encounter a tangle or a mat, consider using a bit of cornstarch to help loosen the fur as you gently brush out the tangle.

Petting

Regular petting also serves as a form of grooming, as this human contact helps remove loose hair in addition to the fur you remove when you brush and comb. Petting your dog also allows you to detect any changes in her skin or body in ways that brushing alone may not. Another benefit of regular petting? Improved contentment for both you and your dog.

Bathing

Occasionally your dog may require bathing in addition to regular brushing. To bathe a long-haired dog without causing tangles in the fur, follow these tips:

Brush your dog BEFORE bathing. The water can cause any tangles or mats to set even tighter.
Always use a shampoo formulated specifically for dogs.
Work from the top down to go with the natural flow of the fur. This includes directing water downward and massaging shampoo in from top to bottom.
Use your fingers to gently (emphasis on the word gently) comb through the fur while you massage in the shampoo. This is another opportunity for you to notice any unusual lumps or bumps on your pet’s skin and body.
Rinse thoroughly (again, from the top down), and consider using a conditioner formulated for dogs to help prevent mats. Make sure to follow the directions on the label for the conditioner to avoid buildup on the dog’s hair and skin.
Allow the fur to dry before brushing.

Trimming

Some long-haired breeds have hair down to their feet—even growing around their foot pads! These dogs may need some trimming around the foot pads to prevent slipping and to remove any dirt that might naturally accumulate. Trimming may also be used as a last resort for mats that refuse to budge after attempts to brush or comb them out.

Pomeranian dog in snow. Winter dog. Dog in snow. Spitz in winter

January 17 2018

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

melissa Lifestyle, Pets, Products, Resources canine winter wear, cold weather gear for dogs, dog boots, dog coats, dog jackets, dog winter fashions

Dogs need exercise whatever the weather. If you live in a colder climate, your dog should be protected against rain, sleet, cold wind and/or snow. Here are some fun fashion-forward ideas to add to your dog’s winter wardrobe to ensure he’s properly attired. All are available for pooches of all sizes.

Harry Barker Fisherman Sweater

Harry Barker doggie accessories are often featured in Vogue and Oprah’s must-have lists. This beautiful ribbed Fisherman sweater is indeed a winter-must have. The size chart on the website makes it very easy to find the right size for your pooch. It’s available in four sizes and in fire-engine red and brown and priced between $16 to $22. For an additional $12, you can have your dog’s name embroidered on the sweater. harrybarker.com

Muttluks Snow Mushers

Keep your dog’s paws protected from snow and iced sidewalks with special ergonomically designed snow boots. Snow Mushers are made from 100 percent recycled materials, are flexible and have rugged rubber soles with traction treads. They are also fleece-lined for warmth and comfort. Reflective accents provide nighttime visibility and safety, and they have an extra-large opening to make it easy to put on and take off. They come in packs of two, which means you are going to need two packs. Available in eight sizes from XXS to Large and priced from $44 a pack. muttluks.com

Pawz Rubber Dog Boots

For all terrain outdoor adventures, Pawz rubber dog boots are ideal because they are reusable and ultimately disposable. They come in eight sizes and can be worn for any occasion, including keeping feet clean after being outside in wet weather. They also protect dogs’ feet from salted sidewalks and chemically treated lawns, and provide excellent traction on all surfaces. Available in fun bright colors as well as a camo pattern, they come 12 boots to a pack. Visit the Pawz website for its store locator.

The Loft Coat

The Loft coat from Kurgo is designed for active dogs who are high energy even in cold weather. It’s a shorter coat than one designed to go from shoulder to tail and is reversible with reflective piping for visibility. It also has a two-way zipper to incorporate a harness worn below the coat. Lightweight and water resistant, it is available in five fabulous color combos and five sizes; each coat is $35. kurgo.com

The Swiss Alpine Jacket with Hood

Hip Doggie Ski Jackets If you are taking your dog skiing with you this winter, Hip Doggie has a fabulous selection of ski jackets/vests to make sure your pooch is dressed for the slopes and/or to chase snowballs. This Swiss Alpine-style vest has a detachable faux-fur trimmed hood and its water repellent thick outer shell is fully lined in soft warm fleece. A Velcro front closure makes it easy to put on and take off and it features a reinforced leash hole. It is available in four colors and five sizes. The company offers a fun selection of puffer jackets with and without hoods, too. hipdoggie.com

The Tailored Dog Raincoat Supreme

Made from a lightweight waterproof fabric similar to Gore-Tex®, this stylish raincoat from the Tailered Dog doubles as a windbreaker in dry but chilly weather. The Raincoat Supreme’s design features Velcro straps for snugness and has toggles so that you can adjust the length for an absolute perfect fit. It comes with a rain cap/sun visor and a beautiful Audrey Hepburn-esque bow adds a bit of fashion flair. Available in red and yellow, the ensemble starts at $129.99 and comes in three adjustable sizes to fit small to large breeds. tailoreddog.com

About the Author: Sandy Robins is the 2013 winner of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contribution to the Pet Industry Award.” Her work appears on many of the country’s leading pet platforms, such as MSNBC.com, MSN.com and TODAYShow.com. She is a regular contributor and columnist in multiple national and international publications, including Catster, as well as the author of the award-winning books “Fabulous Felines: Health and Beauty Secrets for the Pampered Cat” and “For The Love of Cats.” Learn more about Sandy on her website or Facebook page. #welovecats

February 3 2016

Canine Winter Apparel

melissa Lifestyle, Pets, Products, Resources dog apparel, dog boots, dog coats, dog fleece, dog sweaters

Keeping your dog warm, safe and dry in all kinds of weather.

Winter Dog Coat — Weather conditions are the main factors in determining whether or not your dog needs to wear a coat. Photo credit: alexei_tm/iStock

There’s a lot of debate in the world of dogs when it comes to whether or not they should wear a sweater in winter. However, in the end, it’s really up to how dogs handle the cold. The important thing is your dogs should be comfortable no matter what the temperature is.

Whether or not your dog needs a coat in winter is going to depend on many factors, including:

Age: Very young animals and senior dogs tend to get cold faster and have a harder time regulating their internal temperature.
Health: Certain diseases can contribute to your pet’s ability to stay warm. For example, dogs with Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism are often not able to retain body heat as well as others.
Coat: Your dog’s fur length and type have fewer defenses against frigid weather. A short-coated Pit Bull or Weimaraner is going to be colder much faster than a large thick-coated husky or malamute.
Breed: Obviously smaller breeds (Chihuahua or Yorkie) and lightweight breeds (Greyhound or Whippet) are going to have a much more difficult time in cold weather than larger dogs, like Aussies or Shepherds.
Weather: This should be the main factor, when selecting a coat for your dog. Those in the Southwest should plan on picking up lighter weight sweaters or wind coats, and those up north will need a much warmer type of coat.

If your dog tends to be colder than others are, you might want to consider both a sweater and a coat. Smaller, lightweight breeds or those with very thin or short coats will definitely benefit from a sweater or jacket—even if they’re indoors most of the time.

All Day Wear

My thin-coated pit/pointer mixes need a light sweater all year round—despite living in the Southwestern deserts I’ve become an expert on the most comfortable “all day” wear for large dogs.

Dog Sweater — Stretch Fleece from Goldpaw

If your dogs are as spoiled as mine, and tend to get cold easily, you definitely need to check out the new Stretch Fleece from Goldpaw. Made from recycled polyester and 7 percent spandex, this ultra-comfy fleece is very stretchy and super comfortable. I love it because my dogs usually don’t fit the typical sizing chart, however, this coat fits both like a dream. It’s a great sweater to keep your shorthaired dogs cozy all day long.

However, if you head outside, you’ll want to add on a warmer sweater. My preferred sweaters are those from UpCountry: These hand-knit sweaters provide extra warmth on cool days and can be layered under heavier parkas during chilly winters.

The Grey Parka Hoodie from Chilly Dog Sweaters is another great choice. Since these sweaters are all handmade following Fair Trade guidelines, they may vary slightly in color and style.

In The Rain

Dog Rain Coat — UpCountry’s Nantucket Rain Slicker

UpCountry’s Nantucket Rain Slickers are another favorite for those windy, rainy days outdoors. Classic hoods provide extra protection to ears from the rain and the velcro closures make dressing simple. The outer fabric is made from 100% polyurethane and the interior lining is a warm 70 percent cotton/30 percent polyester.

If your dog is spending his winter days curled tightly into a ball, it’s time to accept he needs a jacket for lounging around the house. Some dogs are naturally more susceptible to the cold. Your husky probably won’t need one, but it’s important to keep an eye on your pet’s behavior to identify when additional insulation might be needed.

For the Ultimate Snow Dogs

You’ll want these coats if you live in the Montana mountainside or plan to head to upstate New York. To find the ultimate cold-weather coat, you need to start looking in the coldest regions of the world. These are my favorites from Ruffwear in Montana, Chilly Dogs in Canada, and Hurtta in Finland.

If you’re in an area where the temperature changes suddenly, you need to think in terms of layers. That’s where the new coats from Ruffwear come in. Start out with the Ruffwear Climate Changer, which is made from recycled fleece fabric, and is perfect for those crisp, clear days with a chill in the air. In addition, it you can use it to create an extra layer of warmth to any heavy-duty coat.

The Ruffwear Quinzee™ is a very warm, weather-resistant and packable jacket, which uses synthetic insulation to provide warmth in extreme cold or inclement weather. The jacket packs down into its integrated stuff sack for storage and the autolock buckles on each side not only keep the jacket secure, they make sure no ice or snow will embed in the locks.

Also from Ruffwear is the Powder Hound™. This hybrid jacket offers the warmth of synthetic insulation with the range of motion of technical stretch fabric. Not only is it incredibly warm, it’s weatherresistant and a packable insulated jacket is ideal for cold-weather activities.

Another great cold-weather coat is the Great White North Winter Dog Jacket by Chilly Dogs. This coat features 12-ounces of non-pilling fleece with a polyurethane coated outer-shell, which makes it waterproof, windproof, and breathable. It’s extremely warm and designed for incredibly cold Canadian winters.

The Hurtta Summit Parka is designed to complement a dog’s natural ability to insulate. The jacket has a wider chest and belly area than most coats, and folds around your pet almost like a sleeping bag. Since it was developed in Finland, you can bet that it’s developed for some of the coldest days in existance. The Hurtta Summit Parka dog jacket is designed to protect your dog’s most important muscle groups, chest and stomach area. It has a water-resistant and breathable Houndtex® coating (similar to Gore-Tex), as well as high-visibility 3M reflectors.

Don’t Forget Boots

While you’re looking at warm coats for your dogs, don’t forget to keep their paws protected as well. Areas where there is ice or snow usually means areas with chemicals and salts that can damage paws. Ruffwear has an extensive line of boots that works great in the dead of winter or out on hot asphalt in summer. Muttluks is always a great choice in boots that won’t come off; and Kurgo just released a fun set of Step & Strobe dog boots (shown) that light up when your dog walks (which makes finding him in the backyard during cold winter nights that much easier.).

About the Author: Stacy Mantle is a fulltime freelance writer, bestselling author and founder of PetsWeekly.com. She resides in the deserts of the Southwest with a few dogs, several cats and a very understanding husband.