It's perfectly fine to bathe your pet in the winter. And, with all the snuggling, regular brushing is more important than ever. However, many dogs experience the same types of problems we do with our skin and hair in the winter: dryness, flakiness, itchiness and static.

Using a high-quality shampoo and conditioner designed for pets is one of the best ways to combat this problem. Lower quality shampoos can strip the essential oils from the coat, leaving the skin dry, itchy and flaky. Adding a conditioner can minimize static while adding moisture to the skin and coat.

Many grooming salons offer special skin and coat treatments during the winter months to combat these problems. Professional salons have the tools and equipment to bathe and dry your pet quickly and safely. If you are bathing your pet at home, you will want to speed up the drying process so your pet does not get chilled.

The last thing you want to do is ignore regular grooming routines during the winter. In winter, many owners stray from their regular four- to six-week appointments.

They fear their pet may get cold. In reality, there is nothing worse than not maintaining regular grooming appointments. Think about how you feel in wet clothes. You get chilled quickly, right? So do your pets after a romp in the snow - especially if they have longer fur.

What about that wool sweater you washed and then tossed into a warm dryer? What happened to it? It shrank to a point only a small child could wear, right? There are many pet-coat types that do the same thing without regular brushing, grooming, and haircuts. The more this type of dog is out in the elements, the more matted and tangled the coat becomes. It won't take long for the matting to become so tangled that shaving it off is the only humane option.

If you have a dog that gets regular haircuts, don't forgo your regular haircut appointment. Instead, opt for a slightly longer style. Hair growth does slow slightly during the frigid months. Many pets can have their regular haircut appointments bumped out a week or two.

If you're pushing out your pet's haircuts by a couple of weeks, regular bathing and brushing is still important. Your professional groomer can counsel you on how to bathe and brush your pet in between haircuts. If you do not want to do this yourself, they can set up regular maintenance grooming appointments for your pet between haircuts - many times at a reduced rate.

Winter Brushing

Dogs come in a wide variety of sizes and coat types. Brushing and/or combing your dog more frequently in the winter can help prevent tangles. Regular brushing also helps distribute the natural oils in your dog's coat. These oils naturally help relieve the dryness that comes with the extra time spent indoors with their families. Each coat type requires a different type of tool to keep it in optimal condition.

Talk to your groomer or pet care professional about which tool would be best for your pet's coat type and how to use it effectively.

Just as we have a wide variety of sweaters and coats for different situations, so do dogs. Make sure you match up the right garment for the job.

Lighter sweaters and sweatshirt-type materials are perfect for indoor use. When your pet goes outside, more than likely, it will need a heavier jacket, just like we do.

It will be important to make sure the garment stays dry while your pet is wearing it. Remove the sweater or jacket frequently and wash them regularly. If your pet has longer fur, it will be important to continue a daily brushing routine to ensure the coat does not mat and tangle.

Static can pose a problem, too. To minimize static on your pet, especially while wearing coats and sweaters, use a pet anti-static spray misted lightly onto its coat. Or simply rub a laundry dryer sheet over your dog to minimize the static. As a bonus, your dog will smell fabulous.

For most of us in colder climates, winter is a perfect time to spend snuggling with our pets. With the proper grooming and coat care, your dog can remain comfortable, attractive and avoid the dreaded "springtime shave off."

~Melissa Verplank, CMG and Founder of The Paragon School of Pet Grooming