7 Tips To Protect Dog Paws In Winter

While it’s true that dogs aren’t particular about where they’re taken, those who get to play through the snow appear to be having the time of their life. But, because chilly temperatures and snowy landscapes pose new risks for your dog, it’s a good idea to take a few measures before and during your winter trips together. With all the snow, ice, salt on the pavement, and overall chilly weather, your dog’s paws can take a hammering throughout the winter.

1-Have Your Pet Has Been Examined By A Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian for advice tailored to your dog’s individual medical history. Heart problems, insufficient thyroid production, and diabetes can all affect a dog’s ability to manage temperature and energy levels when it’s chilly outside. If your dog has been prescribed medication to help with discomfort. Ensure that- is magnesium chloride safe for pets and similarly for other ice melters.

 2-Examine Your Dog’s Pads.

Examine the paw pads attentively, just as you would before a summer trek, to make sure there are no injuries that your planned expedition might aggravate. Using safe ice melt for concrete is a great way to prevent dog paws from injuries.

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3-Your Dog’s Nails Should Be Trimmed.

Keeping your dog’s nails cut is always a good idea. Long nails can also cause your dog’s toes to splay more apart when walking, exposing vulnerable regions between toes to snow and ice accumulation.

4-Balm For Paws

Rub some paw balm on your dog’s palms before stepping on the snow or ice. This will help to reduce the dryness and damage that salt can cause. After going on a walk, make sure to reapply the balm. Keeping paw balm on hand will help keep their paws nice and supple over the winter months.

5- Always Have A Towel On Hand.

After you’ve taken your dog for a walk, make sure to wipe out its paws. This will reduce the amount of harm caused by salt, ice, or any residue. If you’re worried about salt, soak each paw in a bucket of lukewarm water and then dry them with a towel.

6-Shorten Your Walks.

It’s advisable to keep your dog’s walks brief during the bitter weather. Being out in the cold for an extended period might cause frostbite. Keep in mind that if it’s too cold for you, it’s likely too cold for your dog as well. SafePaw Ice Melter is a safe ice melt for concrete, pets, children, brick, and stone. If you do decide to take your dog for a walk, you should consider wearing a coat or jacket.

7-Keep An Eye Out For Ice Patches.

Your dog may enjoy playing outside in the winter, but if not careful, her joy could result in pain. Dogs are prone to slipping and falling. They could hurt their paws. Ice can also have sharp edges that can hurt the paws of a dog.

Why Traditional Ice Melt is Risky

Let’s dive into why rock salt and dogs are a dangerous combination.

The Hidden Dangers of Rock Salt for Dogs

Most people don’t realize it, but rock salt and dogs do not mix. Regular ice melts are often made from salt or harsh chemicals like calcium chloride, which can cause serious issues. When your dog walks on surfaces treated with these products, the salt gets stuck between their paw pads, causing irritation, burns, and even blisters. But the real danger is when they lick their paws afterward. It doesn’t take much for the ingested salt to lead to salt poisoning in dogs.

Symptoms of salt poisoning in dogs can range from vomiting and diarrhea to more severe outcomes like tremors or seizures. Even small amounts of these harmful chemicals can lead to dehydration and other health issues. This isn’t just discomfort for your pet—it can be a full-blown emergency that sends you rushing to the vet. Is that worth the risk?

The Environmental Impact of Rock Salt

Apart from the dangers to your pets, let’s not forget the other downsides of rock salt. It’s harmful to plants, corrodes concrete, and even pollutes water supplies. The runoff from your driveway can damage the soil quality in your yard and hurt local streams. Why choose something so harmful when better alternatives exist?

Why Safe Paw is the Safer Choice

Here’s where Safe Paw comes in. Unlike traditional ice melts, Safe Paw is completely salt-free. Its unique formula ensures that it’s non-toxic, making it the safest choice for both pets and children. With Safe Paw, you can melt ice without worrying about causing burns to your dog’s paws or risking their health through ingestion.

Safe Paw contains a patented dual-effect compound, which is gentle but effective. Unlike rock salt, it doesn’t irritate, and it doesn’t pose any health hazards to your furry family members. Plus, it doesn’t harm plants, soil, or concrete, making it a win-win for the environment as well. Why take chances with salt poisoning in dogs when you have a safer option?

How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Winter

Prevention is better than cure. Start by ditching the harmful rock salt and switch to a pet-safe ice melt like Safe Paw. After a walk, always clean your dog’s paws with a damp cloth to remove any potential irritants. Better yet, create a specific play area for your pets that you treat only with Safe Paw, ensuring they stay safe all winter long.

With Safe Paw, you get an effective ice melt that protects your pets, family, and the environment. It’s time to make the switch. Don’t let winter become a season of health risks for your furry friends.

Conclusion

Treatment is preferable to prevention. This time-honored medical adage holds true here as well. When dogs become ill or injured, certain precautions and treatments are necessary like finding –is magnesium chloride safe for pets? We must keep them safe over the winter. If you notice a lot of ice accumulating on your dog’s coat, it’s an indication that you should take extra steps to keep him warm.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

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