During the colder winter months, your dog’s paws can take a beating with all the snow, ice and salt on the roadways and sidewalks. Protect your furry friend's paws with these tips and product recommendations.
5 Ways To Protect Your Pet’s Paws In Cold Weather
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Durable Dog Snow Boots
Snow, ice, and salt are rough on a dog’s delicate paw pads. If you often encounter them on walks, you might want to put booties on your dog. The tough, durable EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots protect paws while keeping them warm and dry. Heavy-duty tread tackles the snowiest and most rugged conditions. They come in eight paw sizes, accommodating everything from small terriers to big mountain dogs.
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Protective Paw Balm
Is your dog not into boots? The highly-reviewed Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Natural Dog Wax provides the ultimate paw protection without them, in any season. Your pup will be able to walk without hurting his paws on icy or hot sidewalks, sandy beaches, hard pavement, or snow-filled walkways.
Musher’s Secret forms a breathable, dense barrier to protect your dog’s paws from the elements in even the most extreme weather conditions. This moisturizing formula is a blend of 100 percent pure natural waxes, including white and yellow beeswax and vitamin E, that protects and soothes cracked pads and paws.
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Wipe Down Your Dog’s Paws
If you don’t use boots or protective balms, it’s crucial to wipe your dog’s paws with a soft cloth after every walk in winter weather conditions. This will minimize any damage or infections from salt, ice or other harmful substances they may have stepped in during their walk.
Rock salt is dangerous for dogs because it can cause chemical burns on paw pads. And if a dog consumes enough of it, it can lead to dehydration and possible sodium poisoning. Give paws a warm-water rinse if they’ve come into contact with salt. Same goes for paws that have developed ice balls. Apply a soothing balm to their paw pads afterwards if they look dried out.
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Thin Rubber Booties
These rubber booties from Pawz Dog Boots are the most natural-feeling puppy boots your dog can wear. The material is so thin your dog will still be able to feel the ground, providing a sense of security. These booties protect against snow, ice, heat, and chemicals.
Additionally, the rubber booties are durable and last for multiple wears before they need to be replaced. Each pack comes with 12 dog boots. The booties provide paw-friction — a great anti-slip dog sock.
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Healing Paw Soother
This Paw Soother by the Natural Dog Company Store is an all-natural balm that deeply heals, moisturizes, and nourishes your pup’s skin. The healing balm is a topical rub crafted to treat, heal and protect your dog’s paws.
It’s ideal for protecting against extreme weather conditions and treating and healing scars, wounds, paw allergies, dry elbows, and more. To use the balm, gently rub onto paw pads. Paws will be slick right after application, so allow time to dry. Best applied before bedtime.