Paws for Thought

Your pet’s paws are constantly being exposed to a variety of potentially dangerous conditions in the cold weather. You can prevent winter weather-related paw pad injuries by following some basic dog paw care tips.

Open the door and let me in

Dogs left in the cold for long periods of times are also at risk for frostbite on paws (and other extremities – ears, tail) and hypothermia. In winter, more frequent short walks are better than a single long walk. If you suspect your dog has hypothermia or frostbite, get him to a vet right away!

Hold the ice

One of the biggest threats to healthy paw pads is the salt – and other chemicals – used to melt ice on driveways, roads and sidewalks. Whenever possible, get your dog off the salty sidewalk and onto the snow for walking.

Another threat from deicers is ingestion. Dogs love eating and licking the snow that falls off of boots, and if you have walked on a deicer compound, your pet will ingest that as well.

To prevent your dog from ingesting deicing salts, keep a shallow bowl of warm water and a cloth near your doorway. Wipe your boots and your dog’s paws when entering the house.

Pedicure for Poochie

Trim those hairy feet

Another common cause of sore paws during the cold winter months are ice balls that form between the pads and toes of hairy-footed dogs. To reduce the risk of ice balls, keep pad hair trimmed neatly. Trim the hair so that it does not hang below the foot pad.

Keep the nails trimmed

Long nails will make your dog’s toes spread when he walks, creating more room for snow and ice build-up between his toes. This can make walking painful for your dog.

Unclipped nails also affect his weight distribution, pushing his weight onto the back of his feet. This means he’ll have less traction and will be more likely to slip and injure himself.

Just as dry winter air can dry out human skin, it can contribute to the drying and cracking of dog paws. Keep a humidifier in the house to prevent dry, itchy skin for both you and your pet.

Muttluks for mutts

Does your dog really hate the snow and cold? Dog boot are a good investment. Although it may take Fido a while to adapt, they’ll protect his feet from the harsh elements and help retain body heat.

By the warmth of the hearth

To combat the effects of salt and deicers:

– Wash his paws with warm water after outdoor capers.

– Use a washcloth, or dip the entire paw into a bowl of warm water. Pay special attention to the space between the toes.

– Apply Vaseline to the foot pads to help prevent chapping, cracking, and soreness.

– Reapply the Vaseline again before any outdoor excursions.

– Remove any snow or ice that builds up on your dog. Trim any long hair from the legs that touches the ground.

And finally, if it’s too cold for you – it’s too cold for Fido. Treat your dog’s feet like your own. Remember how miserable you feel when your feet get cold? Fido feels the same way.