5 Ways to Remove Snowballs From Your Dog's Fur

When dogs play in the snow, they often end up getting clumps of snow and ice matted in their coats, like icy snowballs! Here are five ways to remove snowballs from your dog's fur quickly and safely.

I enjoy writing about experiences from my own life so that my tips may help others.

It's that time of year again: The snow is falling and the temperatures are frigid. When it comes to cold weather, dogs are just as susceptible to the elements as humans are. If you're a dog owner, you'll know that dogs enjoy rolling around in the snow, and this can often leave icy snowballs matted into their fur. In this article, I'll share five tips to remove these snowballs safely from your dog's fur.

1. Use a Whisk

A whisk is probably the last thing you would normally reach for when coming home from a snowy walk with your dog. But if you've ever tried to break down particles of food in the kitchen, you'll know that a whisk is an incredibly effective tool. In fact, it's probably one of the most effective ways to remove snowballs from pet fur without causing your dog any distress.

All you have to do is roll the whisk gently over your dog's coat and the clumps of snow will be gone in no time! It's a clever and effective way to "brush" out the icy particles without actually using a brush. Using a canine brush straight away could be painful with all that snow and ice sticking to him, so this is a great alternative method to try first.

2. Gently Pull the Snowball out With Your Fingers

If the whisk is getting some but not all of the snowballs out of your dog's fur, then try pulling at some of the remaining snowballs with your fingers. You may have loosened some of them and others may have started to melt. Your dog likely trusts you somewhat and shouldn't be too afraid of this method. Just be careful not to pull on the fur too hard - you don't want to hurt your dog.

If you have a towel handy, simply wipe your dog's fur to catch any loose snowballs. Be sure to use a gentle motion so you don't irritate your dog's skin. Having a towel handy will also absorb the water as it melts.

Personally, I find that pulling the snowballs out with my fingers can be somewhat frustrating, especially as the snow melts and the clumps become icier and more attached to the fur. So now is a good time to move on to the next tip.

3. Use a Hairdryer on Low Setting

You can use a hairdryer on the low setting to remove the snow from your dog's fur. Just be careful not to hold the hairdryer too close to his skin as you don't want to risk startling (or burning). I find that this is most effective when you hold the hair dryer about a foot away from the dog and move it around until the snow is gone.

You could also use the whisk to accompany the blow dryer and gently de-tangle the snow and ice from his fur as it melts.

4. Brush Your Dog's Fur

So by now—if you've tried rubbing the whisk over his coat and loosening some of the snowy clumps with your fingers—you've probably already successfully removed or loosened most of the snowballs from your dog's fur.

To remove the remaining ones, you could now try gently brushing his coat. If you don't have a dog brush, any type of bristled brush or wide comb will probably do the trick as long as you're gentle.

Brushing your dog when his fur is damp can be sometimes painful, so it's important to do this very carefully, ensuring that you brush in the direction of your dog's hair growth. You definitely don't want to create more knots and tangles to add to the challenge!

5. Give Your Dog a Bath

If your dog's fur is really matted down with snow, you may need to give him a bath to simply melt the snowballs completely out of his fur. This should really be a last resort, as baths can be stressful for some dogs. But if you can't get the snow out with any of the other methods, and your dog doesn't mind it, then a bath is your next best option.

It's worth remembering that your dog's body temperature will be quite low from having been outside playing in the snow, and all those snowballs in his fur will likely be making him feel cool. So gently using the shower head with a spray of mild to warm water is the most effective way to wash away the snow and ice while keeping him calm and happy, too.

Final Thoughts

With these tips, you can keep your furry friend clean and comfortable all winter long. If you follow these five tips, then you should be able to remove snowballs from your dog's fur with ease. However, if you find that the snowball is too tightly packed, you may need to visit a professional groomer.

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2022 Louise