Have you ever taken your dog out on a frigid winter day, bundled up in 4 layers and armed with hand warmers, and wondered, “how are they not freezing their paws off?! Doesn’t this cold hurt?” Well, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no, mainly because all dogs are different, but there are a “pawful” lot of ways that you can make sure you’re taking care of your pup’s paws as much as possible when the temperature dips.
Rock salt used to melt ice can harm your furry friend’s paws and lead to burns or irritation, especially in cold weather. Next time you’re at the store, look for pet-friendly ice melt!
Set aside a minute before your daily dog walk to inspect their paws. Keep any paw hair trimmed to prevent that area from becoming matted during the winter months. Ensure that there are no cuts or sores that might become agitated.
Some dog breeds do better in cold weather than others, so if you find that your dog’s paws are sensitive to snowy conditions, you might want to consider booties for them. The American Kennel Club offers a great guide on dog boots to protect their feet.
Listen, we know how much dogs love w-a-l-k-s, but long walks can be detrimental to their paws when it’s cold and the ground is covered with ice or snow. Even dogs who seemingly love spending all of their time outside can be susceptible to frostbite. On bitter cold days, keep walks brief and wait for warmer weather for those extended expeditions.
