• Booties are an easy way to keep their toes warm and prevent sand and salt from causing irritation.
- Not every breed is intended to withstand cold weather, therefore booties are an effective way to protect your canine’s paws because they offer warmth, full coverage, and are durable.
***To find your dog’s right size measure from the heel to the tip of the toenail.
• During the extreme cold, it’s best to keep walks short for your canine.
- Being out in the cold too long is dangerous and can lead to frostbite.
***Keep in mind, if it’s too cold for you, chances are it’s too cold for your dog too. If you do take your dog for a walk, you may want to consider putting them in a coat or jacket.
• Prep the paws. Clip long between the toes and foot pads
- This will prevent ice balls from building.
• After taking your dog out for a walk, make sure to wipe down their paws & stomach (for those shorter furry friends of ours) with a damp cloth or baby wipes.
• Minimize paw licking until their paws are completely clean.
- This will minimize risk for skin irritation and any damage caused by salt, ice, or other residue they may have stepped on during their stroll.
***If you have concerns with salt, consider dipping each paw in a bucket of lukewarm water and then towel drying.
• Don’t let dogs eat any of the salt or any of the snow (especially the slushy snow) outside that may have been treated with an ice melt.
- Ingesting ice melt can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures and ulceration of the mouth.
• After returning from walking on the snow or ice, rub some paw balm, like Biobalm, on your dog’s paw pads.
- This will minimize the dry skin and damage salt can cause.
*** Make sure to reapply the balm often. Having paw balm on hand is a good way to keep their paws soft and supple during the cold months.
