Can You Wash Your Dog in Winter? Cold-Weather Bath Tips
Yes, you can wash your dog in winter, and muddy winter walks often mean they need it more, not less. Leaving mud and damp in the coat can lead to smells, matting and irritated skin. The difference in winter is drying: use warm water, dry your dog completely (right down to the skin), and don't let them go back out into the cold or settle down to sleep while they're still damp.
Is It Safe to Bathe a Dog in Cold Weather?
Bathing itself isn't the risk. The risk is a wet dog getting cold. Damp fur makes dogs feel colder, and the RSPCA advises drying your dog fully with a towel, drying coat or dryer, because damp fur can also lead to skin irritation, matting and infections. Small dogs, puppies, older dogs and dogs with short or thin coats lose heat fastest, so take extra care with them.
A clean, well-brushed coat also does its job better. Mud and tangles flatten the coat and hold moisture against the skin, so keeping on top of washing and brushing helps your dog stay comfortable through the colder months.
How Often Should You Wash Your Dog in Winter?
There is no single winter schedule. Winter changes how dirty your dog gets, not how much washing their skin can handle, so the general advice in our guide on how often to wash your dog still applies. As a rough guide:
A rough winter guide (adjust to your dog)
- Daily muddy walkers: rinse legs, belly and paws after muddy walks, and give a full shampoo wash when the coat is dirty or starting to smell
- Mostly pavement or indoor dogs: keep to the same routine as the rest of the year
- Dogs with dry, flaky skin:central heating can dry skin out, so don't wash more often to fix it. Use a gentle oatmeal shampoo and speak to your vet if it doesn't settle
- Dogs with skin conditions:follow your vet's advice
If you're worried about overdoing it, our guide on whether you can wash a dog too much covers the signs to look for.
How to Wash Your Dog in Winter
Winter washing checklist
- Brush first. Work out tangles and dried mud before the coat gets wet, as wet mats are harder to dry and remove
- Use warm, not hot, water. Skip the cold garden hose; cold water on a winter day is miserable for your dog and makes them harder to warm up
- Focus on the dirty areas. Legs, belly, armpits and between the toes collect the most winter mud and grit
- Rinse thoroughly. Leftover shampoo can irritate skin and holds dirt
- Dry right down to the skin. Towel off first, then use a dryer. Thick and double coats can feel dry on top while the undercoat is still damp
- Keep them in until they're dry. Plan the wash for a time you can keep your dog warm afterwards
For a step-by-step guide to drying, including thick coats, see how to dry a dog properly. For post-walk mud specifically, see our guide to washing a muddy dog after a walk.
Washing at Home vs a Self-Service Wash in Winter
Winter is when washing at home is hardest. The garden hose runs cold, the bathroom ends up covered in mud, and a towel alone struggles to dry a thick coat. At our self-service dog wash in Cardiff, the water is kept at a controlled, comfortable temperature all year round, the raised tubs save your back, and high-velocity dryers get through thick coats far faster than a towel. We're open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, with no booking needed.
Warm water and pro dryers in Llanishen, open 7 days, no bookingSigns Your Dog Is Too Cold
Watch for shivering, drowsiness or confusion, pale gums, or clumsiness. These can be signs of hypothermia. Warm your dog up gradually with blankets in a warm room (don't put anything hot directly against their skin) and contact your vet straight away.
Don't Forget the Paws
Winter walks bring road grit, rock salt and mud, which can irritate paws and upset your dog's stomach if they lick it off. Our guide to winter paw care for dogs covers what to do after a gritted walk.
Keeping Winter Washes Affordable
If your dog needs washing after most walks this winter, our memberships bring the cost per wash down. Membership is free to join, and members also get our members-only shampoo at the machine.