Protect Your Pet’s Paws This Winter
Most of the year, a dog’s paws act like built-in shoes. The leather skin pads are resilient to most surfaces and weather. But winter for a dog can be hard on the feet. Exposure to snow, ice, and salt can lead to frozen toes, frostbite, and cracks in the skin. Here are the best tips for keeping dog paws protected during the winter!
Tip 1: Dog Booties
Dog boots are one sure way to protect paws from snow and all of the challenges of winter. It’s important to make sure the booties fit properly, so they’re not slipping off or preventing your pooch from running at full speed.
Some dogs don’t want anything on their feet and won’t welcome the new shoes. They may even refuse to walk at all. But with training, you can make the booties part of their winter walk routine. For the really stubborn dogs, fortunately, there are other forms of winter protection!
Tip 2: Paw Wax
Paw wax acts like an invisible glove against the elements. It doesn’t have insulation value like a dog bootie, but instead, acts as an extra layer of skin. The coating is enough to protect paws from direct contact with the snow, ice, and salt of winter.
The best paw waxes are made from natural ingredients, like coconut oil, so you don’t have to worry about your dog licking its paws after the walk.
Tip 3: Paw Moisturizer
Like our own skin, paw pads can dry out and crack from exposure to cold temperatures and sidewalk salt. The cracks can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and even become vulnerable to infection. Paw moisturizer both repairs and protects a dog’s feet from cracks during the winter.
Since you know your dog will be licking its paws, you want to ensure that the moisturizer is designed for pets or is well absorbed. You don’t need to moisturize the paws for every walk, occasionally doing it during the winter can do wonders.
Tip 4: Wipe the Paws Off
Unlike table salt, sidewalk salt can be so powerful that it’s actually corrosive to bare skin. You don’t want to have that stuck between your dog’s toes, or to have your pooch lick it off with its tongue. Simply wiping off your dog’s paws can clean off any salt or grit from your winter walk. It’s a simple but effective way to boost paw protection in the winter.
Tip 5: Go For Shorter Walks
Going for shorter walks during the winter is another way to protect your dog’s paws. Every breed of dog has different paws and a different tolerance to cold temperatures. A husky is going to be more resilient to snow than a chihuahua. So it’s hard to say how long of a walk is right for your pooch. But you can look for signs from your dog to tell you, including icicles between the toes, limping, or licking of feet.
At What Temperature Do Dogs Need Paw Protection?
In our wet climate, once the temperature dips below freezing, there is a risk of frostbite and freezing toes. But, there’s no temperature threshold that applies to all dogs. Your dog will show signs if it’s uncomfortable, and you can inspect your dog’s paws for cracking throughout the winter months.
For more tips on pet care during the winter or in any season, feel free to visit our garden centre in Powell River!