5 tips for walks in the rain
At the time of writing this article, it's been raining heavily and it's been a few days since bad weather settled in our house. Our favorite walking paths are very muddy. Musher is not like me, summer or winter, she wants her daily walk, in the rain, in the wind or in the sun, she wants it!
Suffice to say that given the weather outside, she will come back from a walk very wet and very dirty… I even think that my dog prefers wet walks. There are puddles everywhere, mud galore, the streams are overflowing: the Labrador-style booonheur!
This is my chance to share 5 tips for walking your dog in the rain and coming home almost dry . From microfiber towels and dog raincoats to high-powered dog coats, I'll give you some advice and great ideas for walks with your dog, even in truly awful weather. (What a funny expression, by the way...)
Tip 1: Air dry your dog
Has your dog just been swimming in the freezing cold? The first piece of advice I can give you is: get him moving!
By staying active, her body will automatically warm up, thus limiting the risk of her getting chilled. In this case, I throw a stick to Musher several times to keep her active. Then we continue our walk. When she gets out of the water, I don't take the opportunity to rest; quite the opposite. By moving, the raindrops on her fur fall off rather than penetrating her undercoat and making her cold. This prevents your dog from getting cold when walking in the rain.
Another advice, for you this time: stay away. We all know what happens when the dog snorts… It splashes!
For slightly older, sick or less energetic dogs: it will be more complicated to dry them this way... Tip #2 is for you.
Tip 2: Who says drying says towel
The essential item for going on holiday with your dog or for a walk, whether the weather is nice or not, because you are never safe from unexpected rain: it's the towel!
I always keep a microfiber towel in my bag or car, just in case. This fabric dries faster, absorbs really well, and can be used several times before washing. It also comes in a dog bathrobe format . It's even more practical. I opted for the bathrobe for Musher; she gets in the car, I put it on her for the trip, and she arrives home much less wet! And she can't lose it on the way home because it fastens like a dog coat. This dog bathrobe is so practical ! She gets out of the car and runs straight to the bathroom so I can finish drying her.
After a rainy walk or a winter swim, remember to dry your dog thoroughly to prevent them from catching a cold. Pay particular attention to their ears, skin folds (especially important for breeds like bulldogs) , and the spaces between their toes to ensure their paws are completely dry. This is crucial because if you don't dry them properly, there's a risk of ear infections and other infections in the skin folds.
Our dogs are much more resistant than us but like us, if they remain inactive when they are wet and cold, they can get sick. Dry them.
When returning from a walk in the rain, a good high-velocity dryer can be very useful. Don't use a hairdryer; you risk burning your dog and drying out its skin. It's an accessory for humans, but definitely not for your dog. To dry a dog, you need to use a high-velocity dryer . This device blows air at room temperature much more forcefully than a hairdryer. This accessory uses a powerful airflow. It's used by professional dog groomers. I don't own one myself because they're quite expensive, but if I had a long-haired dog, it would be a really good investment that I would make without hesitation.
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
Tip 3: Equip your car
Another essential item that will save you time drying your dog and spare you the chore of cleaning up mud in the car is the ultra-absorbent mat . It's fantastic. I have one in the car and one at home. It absorbs up to seven times Musher's weight and dries very quickly. She lies on it, and it works like a giant sponge. However, it only dries the dog's underside because they usually lie on it, so remember to dry the rest with a towel.
It's super convenient for vacation. After a wet ride, back at the hotel with your dog or in your dog-friendly B&B, you can't be faulted at all. Your pooch will be completely dry, no trace of mud or dripping hair.
If Musher is really super dirty, I always have a 5l canister of water in my car. I use a camping hand shower that works with a small pump plugged into my cigar lighter! It allows me to rinse it. That's a good trick 😉
Tip 4: It is possible to equip your dog in case of rain
The dog's coat is well made: it is water repellent. This prevents them from getting wet when it rains. They snort from time to time to stay dry under their coat.
Some dogs are chilly and frankly do not like to be wet. This is often the case with breeds with very short hair. I even know some that have to be dragged outside to relieve themselves on rainy days. And then there are more “precious” dogs who fear getting dirty…
For these dogs, there are dog raincoats . I've tested several with Musher, including one that's like a rain suit. It covers a large part of her body, which means she comes back from walks almost completely dry, much to my surprise. I only have to wipe her lower belly and the tips of her paws. Raincoats for small dogs come in lots of colors, but it's often more difficult to find one for larger dogs.
Musher doesn't need this kind of equipment, she who jumps in the slightest puddle, but I admit that I found it very practical.
👉 I've compared the 10 best dog raincoats on the market to help you find the one that will best suit your dog!
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
Tip 5: The good smell of wet dog…
It's well known, a wet dog smells strong… Even though I love Musher with all my heart, I could do without the smell of a wet dog when it rains or comes back from a wet walk.
I found a great tip… I tried the Spray Shampoo . It's super handy for avoiding a bath every time we get back from a walk (which is definitely not recommended, by the way!). A few spritzes and your dog will smell great. It's not a perfume, but a no-rinse shampoo. It works a bit like Febreze: it eliminates odors.
On vacation, it is better to draw your spray shampoo than to put your dog in the bathtub of the cottage you rent. It will save hours of cleaning.
For my part, I'm off to put on my boots, my kway and get my umbrella for a walk in the rain. I know one who is going to have a blast… Have a good trip everyone!
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One last clarification: you wonder if your dog can bathe all year round? If it will not be too cold in the water? If he doesn't risk getting sick?
To answer all these questions, I suggest you reread the article " Can my dog swim in winter?"
