Bouncing through the snow can be as enjoyable for your pup as it is for kids. However, frigid weather, icy paths and snow on the ground can pose unique challenges for paw health. Frostbite on a dog’s paws can leave your faithful friend feeling pain, and dry winter weather and snow can lead to cracked paw pads and other issues. Learn how to take a proactive approach to dog paw protection to ensure a safe, healthy winter for your dog, and find out how Halo Collar 4 features can help.
Why Do Paws Need Extra Care in Winter?
Just as hot pavement can be uncomfortable for dog paws in warmer months, cold pavement can be an issue during the winter. Cold, dry air can cause paw pads to crack, which can be irritating or even very painful for your pup. Dogs with sensitive skin may also be irritated by ice, snow or salt, and salt and ice can get stuck between dog toes, leading to micro-scratches and other irritations.
Signs Your Dog’s Paws Are in Trouble
While dog paw protection, like dog boots, can help you avoid some winter woes related to your pup’s feet, pet owners should also know how to recognize signs of issues.
Key signs of frostbite on dog paws include:
- Discoloration on the skin
- Pads that are especially hard and cold
- Your dog favoring one or more of its feet
- Visible breaks in skin covering the pads
- Your dog is reluctant to walk or acting as if it’s in pain
Limping, not wanting to walk, redness on the paw pads, and your dog constantly licking its pads can also indicate another type of injury or irritation, including cuts from sharp ice, aggravation from salt and debris or cracked skin due to cold weather conditions.
Don’t rely solely on these symptoms, though. Regularly inspect your dog’s paws during and after playing outside during the winter.
Essential Dog Paw Protection Tips for Winter
Protect your pup’s sensitive paws during winter with the following tips.
1. Trim Paw Fur and Nails
Keep nails and paw fur trimmed to reduce moisture and ice buildup. Shorter nails also improve your dog’s traction on slippery surfaces, reducing the chance of other winter injuries.
2. Use Dog Booties
Invest in dog shoes and boots to protect your dog’s paws. Purchase dog boots that fit snugly without being tight. If your dogs won’t wear booties, consider putting paw wax on their pads before taking your dogs in the snow.
3. Apply Protective Balms
Just as you apply lotion or lip balm to your skin and lips in the winter to prevent cracking and irritation, you can apply balm to your dog’s paws and other sensitive skin. Balms can protect against chapping in dry, cold air as well as harsh chemicals from brine or rock salt. You can apply balms before and after walking your dog.
4. Avoid Deicers and Salty Roads
Whenever possible, avoid walking or playing with your dog in areas where chemical deicers are used, such as on major roads and in commercial parking lots. When you can, keep your dog off salted roads, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks. Your backyard, fields and parks can be better winter play locations. When you can’t avoid exposure to salt and chemicals, clean your dog’s paws right after outdoor play or walks.
Best Practices for Winter Walks
Engage in best practices for winter walks to keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible. Some tips include:
- Understand your dog’s needs. Every breed handles cold weather differently, so pay attention to how your dog copes so you can best support it.
- Keep walks shorter. Plan frequent outdoor play and walks that last only a few minutes so your dog doesn’t get too cold.
- Dry your dog off regularly. Bring a fluffy towel with you to dry off your dog’s coat and paws regularly. Always end a walk by drying your dog off.
- Add indoor games and playtime. Get engaging toys so you can play tug-of-war or encourage other indoor games to promote exercise for your pup without getting outside.
Winter-Proofing Your Dog’s Home Environment
Think about how to care for your dog indoors during winter too. Create a cozy snuggle spot with a dog bed in a warm location so your furry friend can warm up after being outside. Make sure to offer plenty of water, as playing in the snow takes a lot of work, and your dog can get dehydrated in the winter. Check for drafts or other issues where your dog likes to lay so you can address issues that might make it uncomfortable.
Gear Up for Safety: How Halo Collar 4 Complements Winter Adventures
If your dog bolts during the winter, you may find it a slippery situation to chase it down. Invest in products like Halo Collar 4 to keep your dog safe and near you during walks. GPS tracking and boundary monitoring also offer peace of mind if you want to let your pup romp in a snow-covered yard without you because you know it will remain where it is safe and has easy access to a warm and comforting house.
Halo Collar 4 is weather-resistant, so its features work even when it’s cold and snowy outside. Pair paw protection with pet security options like Halo Collar to make winter less stressful for you and your dog.
