Protect Your Doggy’s Paws This Winter With These Paw Injury Preventative Tips

Pomeranian dog walking on the snow

These tips and products will help ensure that your doggy doesn't hurt his paws this winter. Read more about paw care on Dogster.

Prevent winter weather-related paw pad injuries by following some basic dog paw care tips and the use of products designed for paw protection.

How To Prevent Paw Pad Injuries
One of the biggest threats to healthy paw pads is the salt used to melt ice on driveways, roads and sidewalks. If your dog is limping toward the end of a walk, deicing products may be hurting his feet.

To prevent your dog from ingesting deicing salts, keep a shallow bowl of warm water and a cloth near the entryway to your home so that you can wipe your boots and your dog’s paws when coming in from the cold.

Another common cause of sore paws during the cold winter months are the ice balls which form between the pads and toes of hairy-footed dog. To reduce the risk of ice balls, keep inter-pad hair trimmed neatly and short during the winter months.

Dogs left in the cold for long periods of times are also at risk for frostbite on paws (and other extremities – ears, tail, etc.) and hypothermia.

Products For Protecting Dog Paws

There are many products on the market designed to protect dog paw pads during the winter month, from “pet safe” deicing products to protective waxes and dog booties.

Safe Paw is a common pet-friendly deicer, but sand, small stones, and kitty litter (non-clumping) are also options for deicing while protecting your dog’s pads from injury and chemical burns.

The best protection for your dog’s paws and pads are dog booties. Just as wearing boots in the winter protects your pads, dog booties will prevent injury to your dog’s feet.

Dog booties may look silly, but really are the ultimate protection for your dog.

When your dog is comfortable having his paws handled, begin introducing the boots one at a time, and for very short periods of time. At this point, your dog will realize that “these boots are made for walking!”

Hopefully, by now you've gained a ton of new knowledge to keep your pup's paws in tip top shape! So stay warm and keep your pooch out of pain this winter with these tips.

Don't forget to check out Dogster for more.



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