Author: Jasmine Sethi
INTRODUCTION
We all know dogs enjoy playing in the snow, but freezing weather and increasing temperatures can also pose a risk to your furry companions. The freezing temperature and the salt that is used to avoid icy and slippery roads can be harmful to your dog’s paws, especially when walking on untreated ice and salt pavement.
Did you know?
Your dog’s paw pads are sensitive and can be damaged with exposure to freezing temperatures, moisture, and other chemicals. Extreme cold weather can be dangerous for your dog’s paw pads, as it can cause dryness, cracking, chapping, and even pose a frostbite risk. According to Vetericyn Animal Wellness, the roadside salt can serve to be toxic to dogs, causing paw irritation and potential stomach issues if ingested.
We all know that it’s essential for all dogs to be outside at least two to three times per day for their daily walk. Like humans, it always feels good to get outside for some fresh air. However, extreme freezing temperatures and salt formulations on roads can be harmful to our pets. When salt comes in contact with your dog’s paws, it can lead to dryness, paw irritation, chapping, micro-cuts, and itchiness, and may even become infected when not treated.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG’S PAWS ARE INFECTED AND SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:
i. Redness or Inflammation: Post-walk, it’s important to check your dog’s paws for any signs of redness or inflammation. Check the spaces between toes for any visible swelling, redness, or red patches.
ii. Watch your Dog’s Behavior in the Snow: It’s vital to watch out for your dog’s behavior in the snow. They will enjoy the heavy snowfall and run around, but the second their paws come into contact with the salt, it has the tendency to burn their paw pads, causing sudden, sharp pain.
iii. Referential Looking: Often, when dogs get hurt during their walks on the salty and icy pavement, they may demonstrate attention-seeking behavior such as yelping, squealing, and whimpering before pausing and looking back at their humans. It’s important to notice when your dog is making eye contact since they may be experiencing a problem, such as feeling hurt due to the salt on the roadside.
iv. Silent Distressed Signals: It’s beneficial for you to be mindful during your walks with your dogs, especially when walking in freezing temperatures, so you can watch out for silent distress signals. For instance, some dogs may not make any direct sound at all; they may just lift their paw when their paw pads come into contact with the roadside salt and look at you for support.
v. Post-walk Paws Licking: If the salt has burned your dog’s paws, chances are that your dog will lick, bite, or even chew at their paws, so it’s important for you to watch out for these signs and to take action when appropriate.
INVESTING IN A QUALITY PAIR OF SHOES FOR YOUR DOGS
Like humans, it’s so important to invest in your dog’s winter gear so that both you and your furry companions can enjoy your daily walks, especially in the winter season. It’s essential to invest in the right quality of shoes that fully cover and protect your dog’s paws from burning from the salt. Purchasing high-quality dog shoes is a worthwhile investment, so your dogs can stay protected and enjoy their walks in the freezing temperatures. Dogs must wear shoes during their walk time to protect their paw pads from coming into contact with the roadside toxic salt and other forms of chemicals. For instance, you can always look into purchasing the balloon-style winter rubber boots as they are especially best suited for smaller dog breeds who may not yet be used to wearing snow shoes.
Dog shoes can act as a barrier and shield against extreme freezing temperatures, help retain moisture in your dog’s paws, prevent falls in the snow due to their anti-slip feature, and overall maintain your dog’s paw health. Shoes are recommended for all dog breeds and all sizes to avoid incidences of frostbite. It’s also a practical idea to keep a backup of your dog’s shoes, as there is a possibility of losing one or two shoes in heavy snowfall. For new dog caregivers, it’s a good recommendation to experiment with a few different kinds of paw shoes to assess which one works best for your dog.
In order to get the accurate shoe size, we recommend that you measure your dog’s paw width and length with the measuring tape and compare it with the specific brand’s size chart online on Amazon, or an in-person visit to a pet store. Realistically, you should do a test-try on your dog’s paws and perhaps take them for a short walk to test out the comfort of the shoes. The signs of a good shoe for your furry companions are that the shoe must stay on for the entire walk and that your dog can walk or run without slipping.
It’s also important to regularly check your dog’s shoes, as they may become worn or damaged with overuse for a few months, depending on the quality of the shoes as well. Additionally, if your dog’s nails are too long, they could cause discomfort or even cuts inside the shoe, which can increase the chances of your dog’s paw pads coming into contact with the salt. This is why it’s important to invest in high-quality shoes for your dogs, and we recommend sticking with those that work effectively. Another recommendation is to avoid high-salt areas, such as school zones, during your walks, where the city will often put a heavy amount of salt on the roads.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
Design of snow shoes for your dogs:
a. The snow shoes should be lightweight and flexible, designed with breathable material, and have a good waterproof level in case of freezing rain.
b. Good insulated lining, soft padded interiors, and adjustable closures to tighten or loosen the shoe, such as reflective straps or Velcro.
c. It’s recommended for your dog to wear the shoes for shorter walks to check on its sustainability, and it’s best practice to gradually increase the duration of the walk, as the aim is that all four shoes remain on your dog’s paws for the entire duration of the walk.
In summary, you should look for a flexible sole with an anti-slip effect so it can provide traction to protect your dog’s paw pads. It’s also important to invest in waterproof shoes so your dog’s paw pads remain well-protected during rain or freezing weather. The features you should look out for when investing in shoes for your furry companions are as follows:
- Drawstring closure
- Anti-slip soles
- Soft and breathable lining
- Waterproof levels
- Night reflective abilities
How to get my dog used to wearing shoes?
Our recommendations would be for you to keep your dog’s favorite treats handy for positive reinforcement. It’s important to first have your dog wear the shoes and play a bit in the snow to familiarize themselves with it. It’s best to start with a low-pressure environment, as the goal is not to overwhelm your puppy or dog, but rather make it an overall positive experience for them. The best practice would be to try to make your dog wear snow shoes indoors and leave them on their paws for a few minutes to observe their reaction. Then, after a few tries, you can begin taking your dog out when there is light snow so they can enjoy their walks.
Getting the perfect size: measurement is key.
In order to measure the right fit for your dog, our recommendation is to check the specific brand’s requirements chart. A general practice is to place your dog’s paw on a surface, preferably on a piece of paper, mark the length and width of the paw, including the toes and nails, measure all four paws, and use the longest and widest measurements.
Colour Selection for your dog’s snow shoes matters.
We recommend investing in a variety of both neutral and colored pairs of shoes, as they are easier to notice in the dark in case they come off during the walk. The shoe’s light-reflecting ability and bright color will make it easy to locate the shoe on the road.
Cost of snowshoes
In terms of cost, you can expect to spend anything from $15 to $35, with offerings in a variety of colors for both male and female dogs, with the idea of reusing them in the next winter season. However, for larger dog breeds, as per your preference, you can expect to invest more in the suspender-style boots, which tend to secure all four legs with reinforced elastic straps to prevent falls. These boots are best for larger dog breeds and offer a connected design to fasten the straps for added stability. Before you invest in any kind of shoes, it’s also a good practice to read reviews from other pet caregivers, as it provides you with an overall picture of the shoes’ quality.
Encouraging movement in the key.
It’s essential for you to immediately encourage movement after your dog wears the shoe, and it’s equally important for you to have a positive mindset. If you think after a few tries, your dog is used to wearing the shoes, it’s a good idea to take them out in the snow for short periods of time, where your aim should be to keep the sessions positive. Keep an eye on your dog to observe any signs of frustration or irritation. If that occurs, it’s best to remove the shoes and try again, as consistency matters more than long sessions. Ideally, within two weeks, or some dogs can even take a month to get used to wearing snow shoes, and soon enough, they will start appreciating them.
POST WALK CARE TO PROTECT YOUR DOG’S PAWS
It’s necessary to invest in a post-walk care routine, such as using a paw moisturizing cream, which is recommended to put on your dog’s paws right after a walk, or before sleeping, to avoid the dog licking the cream. Please ensure that the paw cream is pet safe by reading all the ingredients, which should be natural-focused, as our aim here is to clean our dog’s paws from the harsh chemicals they come into contact with during their walks. To avoid paying extra costs, please look for a product specifically made in Canada, and paw creams come with an affordable price tag, and they can last you for a very long time. Additionally, it’s a good practice to clean your dog’s paws with lukewarm water post-walk, keep them safe indoors, and keep your furry companions well-hydrated.
CONCLUSION
It’s so important to invest in your dog’s shoes if you haven’t already, as they play a significant role in protecting your dog’s paws from salt and extreme freezing temperatures. Reflecting on it, since dog’s shoes can be reused in the next winter season and can also be re-worn during the extreme summer temperatures, they could be a worthwhile investment all year round. You just need to find the right quality and fit. Properly fitted shoes for your dogs that cover the entire paw can help prevent potential infections or injuries, significantly reduce exposure to harmful salt by acting as a barrier, and support overall paw health during the winter months. It’s valuable to also invest in paw nourishing cream for your furry companions to ensure their overall health and well-being. We hope that after reading this article, you are better prepared to learn of interventions to protect your dog’s paw pads, and we hope you and your furry companions enjoy long walks during the winter season.
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