Winter can impact not only your dog’s coat and skin, but especially their paw pads! It’s important to take proper care of your dog’s paws during the winter. Here are a few tips to help keep your dog out happily walking this winter!
Get the “paw ware”!
Just like us, some dogs need some good ol’ winter boots to enjoy winter walking! From balloon boots to a thicker, Velcro-style, there are a few options out there for your pooch to try out. Try them on inside, have them get used to the feel indoors and give lots of praise and treats!
If your dog is more sensitive and the booties don’t seem to be working out, there are balms or petroleum jelly-based products that can be used. These products are used to act as a barrier and even help keep your pet’s feet moisturized!
Clean those paws!
Especially in big cities like Toronto, chemicals are used to help keep the sidewalks safe to walk on and ice-free. That’s wonderful for us, but what does that mean for our pets? Those chemicals come into contact with our dogs’ feet! A post-walk paw washing station is ideal in winter. As we all know, dogs like to lick their paws (especially after winter walks) so ensuring those chemicals are washed away is key! Keeping the hair between paw pads trimmed can help decrease the amount of snow/ice build-up on paws, too!
Moisturize and Hydrate!
Just like our skin, a dogs’ paw pads can become dry and cracked during the winter. Paw balms and petroleum jelly products can help on walks, and you can even take it one step further and use products inside (even coconut oil) to help keep their paws smooth.
Staying hydrated during the winter can help paw pads and skin, too. Ensure your dog is getting the water they need to keep them healthy!
