Our winter’s can be brutal on a dog’s paws. From the cold sidewalks to the salt we put on our walk ways and roads. Our dog’s paw pads are at risk for drying, cracking, itchy, flaking skin, frostbite and potential chemical burns. Ugh I can’t imagine how that could feel. So towel dry your pet as soon as he/she comes inside, and pay special attention to the paws in between the toes. Here are some tips and products on the market that can help keep your dog’s paws happy and healthy this winter.
Protective Balms
Many protective balms are available to help protect your dog’s paws, and even some human products can do the trick. Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline or Pet Soothe Shield Paw Balm is a product that I have used on my dogs. Once you find a balm that you like, you need to ensure that your dog’s paws are ready for the balm. Just like us humans, good grooming is essential for healthy winter feet. If your dog has long hair around their legs and between their pads you need to keep it short and level with the dogs pad. This will help prevent ice balls from forming between and around the paw pads. Also keep your dogs nails trimmed in the winter because long nails force the paw to splay out and make it more likely that snow and ice will accumulate between the paw pads. Then apply a thin even layer of balm just before going out for a wintery walk. After the walk wipe your dog’s paws with a warm washcloth to remove snow, ice and de-icers. Then apply another layer of balm to soothe any irritation and to keep them from drying out.
Doggie Boots
Booties are not just for little dogs. Every dog regulates their temperature through the soles of their feet. When walking in the snow, booties can help keep them warm. Not to mention help deter sliding on icy surfaces. Jackie has RuffWear Grip Trex Boots. I like these since it keeps her dry and she tends not to slip on the icy sidewalks as much. Wearing booties can protect your dog’s paws from getting painful salt and chemical ice-melting agents lodged in between bare toes, causing irritation.
De-Icer dangers
De-icers, ice melts, and rock salt are all substances used to melt ice on our sidewalks and roads. Even if you personally don’t use them on your property, your dog will likely be exposed to them on your daily walks around the neighborhood. When salt gets into your dogs pad, already irritated dog pads will begin to sting. Many times when I’m walking my dogs especially on our roads where they seem to pour salt, one of them will invariably put their hind legs up with a yelp from the stinging.
I recommend using pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible. One product that we use on our sidewalks is Safe Paw Ice Melter. This product has qualified as a green product. The Safe Paw is blue-green in color so you can quickly tell that it’s not your regular ice-melting salt or a salt-based option. Second, it’s safe for the environment and will not harm plants and shrubs or, most importantly, children and pets.
Keeping your dogs paws healthy…
Our winters seem to be getting colder and longer. Our pet’s paws need some extra tender loving care. First off use a good balm to heal dry and cracked pads. Second getting dog booties is your best bet in ensuring nothing gets into those paws. Third if you need to use a de-icer look for something environmentally friendly as well as pet-paw friendly.
Finally when you get home after your winter wonderland walk, make sure you wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemical, and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes. Enjoy this beautiful season outside with your best friends.
Photo Credit: RuffWear
Liz
As a life-long dog parent and enthusiast, I can’t get enough of all things doggie! My love of dogs and passion to educate and share solutions with other dog owners, is essentially how this site came to be. With the help of my three dogs I will provide engaging ‘tails’ and real life-lessons learned on dog ownership.
