Winter can be really harsh for your furry friends. The most compelling part is how to keep those sensitive paws safe. Cold weather, snow, ice, and salt sprinkled on the pavement can cause a lot of discomfort or even injury. We here at Pawtion are paw experts, so here are some of the tips that will help you to keep your dog's paws safe and healthy throughout this winter season!
1. Moisturise Regularly
This is because cold weather tends to dry the paws of your dogs and can either crack or irritate them. Applying a paw balm that is dog-safe, or better still using petroleum jelly before taking those walks, will help moisturise and protect the pads from harsh elements. These work by forming a barrier between the pad and the ground that touches the salt and ice, therefore reducing irritation to the skin.
2. Dog Booties
Dog booties would work quite well in keeping their paws off cold surfaces, ice, and salt. These will keep them warm and prevent snow from lodging between the toes. Ensure that these booties are fitted correctly and comfortably. Allow your dog to get accustomed to them indoors before taking him out for his walks.
3. Avoid Salted Pavements
Snow-melting salt can be so cruel to your dog's feet and cause irritation or even a chemical burn. Try to walk on grass or snow without the added salt as much as possible. Clean your dog's paws with a wet towel after every walk to remove as much of the salt and debris as possible.
4. Trim Hair of Paws
Ice and snow can accumulate between the hairs on your dog's paws and create painful ice balls. Regularly trimming the fur between the paw pads will go a long way in preventing this. Keeping the paws clean, devoid of debris, also plays an important role in minimising irritation of any kind.
5. Paws Monitoring after Walks
After every walk, check the dog's paws for any sort of injury, cuts, cracks, or even redness. Clean the area and apply some healing balm if there is something unusual.
With just a few precautions, you can keep those paws healthy and protected all winter!
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