Paws in winter: salt, ice and cracked pads

In winter the paws take the most. Salt on the pavements, ice, slush, dry air in the flat. Pads are tough, but they are not made for chemicals every day. Here is what happens and what actually helps.

What salt does

Salt and other de-icers dry out and irritate the skin of the pads. After a few days on salted pavements the pads turn rough, then crack, and salt stings in the cracks. The dog starts licking its paws, swallows the salt, and in larger amounts that irritates the mouth and stomach. So the problem is not only cosmetic.

Antifreeze deserves separate attention. Puddles around parked cars can contain ethylene glycol. It tastes sweet and even a small amount is life-threatening. Do not let the dog drink from such puddles and do not let it lick its paws before you have washed them. If you suspect it swallowed antifreeze, call a vet immediately, do not wait for symptoms.

Snowballs between the toes

On dogs with longer coats, snow packs into ice balls in the hair between the pads. They pull on the skin and the dog starts limping mid-walk. Trimming the hair between the toes level with the pads, not shorter, helps. If you have not done it before, ask a groomer to show you once. The skin there is thin and scissors catch it easily.

After every walk

This is the most important part and takes one minute. Rinse the paws with lukewarm water or wipe them with a damp cloth, including between the toes. On low dogs in slush, do the belly and legs too. Dry well. Wet skin between the toes is a breeding ground for irritation and smell.

While you wipe, look. Redness between the toes, cracks, a cut from ice, a stuck pebble. Caught early, these are small matters.

Balm before the walk

A thin layer of balm on clean, dry pads before going out puts a barrier between the skin and the salt. Thin means thin. A thick layer collects grit and dirt and the dog slides on the floor. Apply a little, rub it in and wait two or three minutes before the door.

On pads that are already rough or cracked, the balm works better in the evening, after the last walk, as an overnight mask. The skin has time to take it in without it wearing off on the asphalt.

Use a product made for dogs. The dog licks its paws and everything you put there ends up in the stomach. Ours is Paw Care: coconut oil, calendula, beeswax, no silicones or parabens. One 60 ml tin lasts a whole winter on a medium dog.

Boots

For dogs that walk heavily salted streets every day, boots solve the problem completely. Not every dog accepts them. If you try, size them by a measured paw, not by breed, and start with a few minutes indoors with treats. A badly fitting boot rubs and does more harm than the salt.

How much cold is too much

There is no single temperature for all dogs. Coat, size, age and health make the difference. Short-coated and low dogs feel the cold first. If the dog lifts its paws one after another, stops and shivers, the walk is over. Shorter, more frequent outings beat one long one.

When it is a vet matter

A deep crack that bleeds. Limping that does not pass after cleaning the paw. Swelling, heat, discharge or smell between the toes. Licking that goes on for days without a visible cause. The balm is for healthy, roughened skin. It is not for wounds and it does not treat. What to watch for with licking is in a separate article. The short paw steps are in Guides; the full routine is in chapter 5 of the handbook (PDF, Bulgarian).