Winter Wellness for Pets: Tips to Help Clients Care for Their Pups

When the temperature drops, so do our pets’ comfort levels. Icy sidewalks, dry air, and darker days can put a damper on their daily routines — and we all know pets thrive on routine. But winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation for pet-care businesses or pet parents. It’s an opportunity to shine, show expertise, and provide year-round support that builds trust and loyalty.

As pet-care providers, you know that cold weather shouldn’t put a freeze on wellness. During the winter months, it’s especially important to take extra care and extra precautions to ensure pets’ safety and well-being. Your business can help pet parents keep their furry friends happy and healthy all season long with these winter pet-care tips.

1. Prioritize Protecting Dog Paws

Winter sidewalks aren’t just cold; they can be downright dangerous. Ice, snow, and road salt can cause paw pad cracks, irritation, and even chemical burns. Protecting dog paws from these elements is crucial, as rock salt and ice balls forming between paw pads can lead to injury, discomfort, and further complications. Even quick outdoor potty breaks can take a toll on sensitive feet.

To keep your clients’ companions safe:

• Educate pet parents about dog booties or paw balms. Share which brands you trust and how to apply paw balm properly for effective paw protection.
• Offer retail items like paw wax, boots, and moisturizing sprays.
• Share Report Cards noting any signs of irritation or recommendations for at-home care.
• Create seasonal signage or social posts reminding owners to inspect paws daily and wipe them clean after each walk.
• Advise pet parents to consider shorter walks and frequent walks during winter to minimize exposure to cold, snow, ice, and harmful substances.
  • Remind them to check their dog's paws and pet's paws after every walk for signs of damage or trapped debris.

Bonus idea: Host a “Paw Care 101” workshop or livestream with grooming staff or a local vet. It builds trust and positions your business as the go-to expert for cold weather pet care. Remind attendees to inspect paw pads for ice balls and use paw protection products to keep dog paws healthy all winter.

2. Bring the Energy Indoors

Winter weather often keeps pets (and people) inside, which can lead to boredom, anxiety, and behavior challenges. During winter, caring for pets indoors is especially important to protect their health and comfort when outdoor conditions are harsh. Enrichment isn’t just a perk—it’s essential to overall well-being. Keeping minds and bodies active during the colder months is a great way to show pet parents the added value of your services.

How to turn cabin fever into tail-wagging fun:

• Suggest treat puzzles, snuffle mats, or DIY indoor games pet parents can do at home.
• Offer enrichment add-ons like scent work, tug games, agility tunnels, or supervised social play during daycare.
• Create enrichment packages in Gingr that parents can book in advance.
• Update pet parents on what their pets did during the day, including photos or notes on what they enjoyed.
• Remind pet parents to monitor their pets after coming inside from outdoor play, checking for any signs of irritation or discomfort, especially on paws.

Pro tip: Promote indoor playtime packages with automated SMS and email notifications. Include seasonal bundle pricing or limited-time offers to spark engagement.

3. Adjust Diet and Calorie Needs for Proper Nutrition

Just like humans, pets may need more calories to maintain body heat in colder months, especially outdoor-loving or working dogs. Others, however, may exercise less and be prone to seasonal weight gain. For pet-care businesses, this is a perfect opportunity to become a trusted advisor. Along with adjusting calorie needs, it’s important to emphasize proper nutrition for most pets during winter to support their overall health and help maintain body temperature.

Support pet parents with:

• Seasonal nutrition reminders in newsletters, text messages, or check-out notes.
• Gingr’s customer notes to track dietary needs, feeding instructions, and supplement preferences.
• Promote winter-specific treats, supplements, or high-quality foods through your retail store.
• Educate on hydration: Pets can still get dehydrated in winter due to dry air or decreased water intake.
  • Remind pet parents to provide fresh water at all times, as proper hydration is essential for maintaining a healthy coat, skin, and body temperature. Many dogs benefit from moist foods or water fountains to encourage drinking during colder months.

You could even partner with a local pet nutritionist or vet to offer a winter diet guide or host a “Winter Wellness Check-In” week.

4. Winter Dog Grooming Matters

It’s a common myth that grooming should pause in the winter. In truth, regular grooming is essential year-round. For most dogs, regular brushing is important to maintain a healthy coat, prevent tangles, and distribute natural oils throughout the hair and fur. Thick winter coats can trap moisture, salt, and debris, leading to matting or skin irritation. Snowballs between the toes? Not cute for long.

Support your grooming team by:

• Reminding pet parents that winter grooming maintains coat health and keeps skin problems at bay.
• Highlighting the grooming process, including trimming long fur and hair between paw pads to prevent ice balls, discomfort, and skin issues.
• Checking for hot spots and other skin issues during each grooming session.
• Offering seasonal packages: warm-water baths, de-shedding treatments, paw trims, ear cleaning, moisturizing sprays.
• Scheduling recurring grooming appointments in Gingr to create predictability and reduce gaps.
• Sharing before-and-after grooming photos to highlight winter transformations (boost loyalty and visibility!)

You can also include grooming-specific fields in Gingr’s Report Cards, letting pet parents know how their dog did during the appointment and any home care needed.

When recommending grooming products, remind clients to choose shampoos free from harsh chemicals to protect their dog's coat, fur, and skin—especially in colder weather. Proper grooming supports a healthy dog's coat, dog's fur, and dog's skin, helping to prevent dryness and irritation during winter.

Winter Tips for Grooming:

1. Practice regular brushing to maintain natural oils in the hair and coat.
2. Monitor for hot spots and other skin issues.
3. Trim long fur between paw pads to prevent ice balls and discomfort.
4. Avoid overbathing and use gentle, chemical-free shampoos.
5. Pay extra attention to grooming routines during colder weather to keep most dogs comfortable and healthy.

5. Stay Ahead of Seasonal Health Concerns

Cold weather can aggravate arthritis, joint stiffness, and other age-related issues. Colder temperatures and cold temperatures can negatively impact pets' health, making extra protection essential to keep them comfortable and safe. Shorter days and extra fur make it harder to notice weight changes or declining energy levels. That’s why proactive health reminders are a must.

Here’s how your team can help:

• Encourage pet parents to schedule routine wellness checks, especially for senior pets.
• Offer gentle enrichment options for older dogs: short play sessions, cozy rest areas, warm blankets, and provide extra warmth for senior pets who may be more sensitive to temperatures.
• Add joint-friendly extras like orthopedic bedding, heated floors, or calming massages as bookable services.
• Use Gingr’s appointment history and pet profiles to track mobility or behavioral changes.
• Activate automated health record reminders to nudge pet parents when vaccinations, flea/tick, or medications are due.

As temperatures drop, monitor pets closely to ensure they are protected from environmental hazards and their overall health is maintained.

Winter is also prime time to talk about dental health. Many pet parents schedule cleanings during the off-season. Include a note in Report Cards or offer a dental health package in February (National Pet Dental Month!).

6. Communicate With Confidence and Care

Your communication style in the winter months can go a long way in building customer loyalty. Pet parents want to know their companions are safe, happy, and in good hands—especially during inclement weather. It's important to communicate winter safety tips to pet owners and dog owners to help keep pets safe from cold weather hazards.

With Gingr's pet-care business software, you can:

• Send automated appointment reminders and weather updates.
• Share real-time updates via SMS or email during storms or icy closures.
• Use branded Report Cards to reassure pet parents with updates, activities, and adorable photos.
• Customize messages for specific concerns: weight gain, dry skin, winter anxiety, or playtime adjustments.

Personalized, proactive communication is a surefire way to turn first-time clients into lifelong customers.

7. Create Seasonal Campaigns That Shine

Winter is the perfect time to launch creative campaigns that educate, engage, and drive bookings.

Here are a few ideas:

• Paw-liday Promotions: Offer holiday grooming packages or winter enrichment bundles.
• Frosty Friends Referral Program: Reward clients who refer a friend during the winter season.
• Warm & Fuzzy February: Run a theme month focusing on wellness tips, love for pets, and client appreciation.
• Winter Wellness Webinars: Host live or pre-recorded content sharing cold-weather pet-care tips.

Promote these events through your digital marketing channels and client communication tools.

Be the Warmth They Can Count On when Colder Temperatures Hit

Winter wellness isn’t just about survival; it’s about showing up for pets and their people with compassion, smarts, and a little seasonal joy. As a pet-care professional, you have the unique opportunity to make winter feel a little warmer, one tail wag at a time.

With Gingr, you have the tools to be the go-to resource your clients rely on. From automated reminders and online booking to pet report cards and retail add-ons, we help you deliver a pawsitive winter experience that’s all about care, comfort, and connection. Book your personalized demo today!