Protecting your Dog’s PAWS in the Winter Season
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