How Winter And Snow Impacts Dog’s Paws

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Even though your dog’s paw is divinely designed with a built-in heat exchange system that can withstand the cold for extended periods and salt on new concrete, there are risks and precautions to be aware of. You may not know how the cold can affect your dog if you are from a warmer climate and have become accustomed to the lazy days of summer heat. You should also remember that your dog’s coat has not adapted to temperatures outside of its normal range, especially if they are an indoor dog.

Spending too much time outside in the cold can harm a dog’s paws, so it’s important to know what to look for when walking or playing in the cold. This quick guide deconstructs those elements and explains how they can harm your four-legged companions.

Pet Safe Ice Melt

Snow 

While fluffy white snow is usually harmless, extra cold temperatures can cause a dog’s paw pads to burn or dry out. Limit exposure during freezing weather, use safe pet ice melter, and inspect paw pads for cracking.

Ice

Ice can cause problems for dogs with sensitive or injured pads, in addition to creating potentially dangerous conditions for those who enjoy a brisk walk in the snow. When the temperature drops during a walk, any moisture in the fur between the pads freezes, making it a bigger problem.

Impacts

1-Frostbite

It occurs when the blood vessels in the skin constrict due to exposure to extreme cold or prolonged cold. It’s important to note that dogs with heart disease, diabetes, or poor blood flow are more susceptible to frostbite. Never leave your dog outside in the winter, regardless of breed or coat thickness. Frostbite can quickly occur in sensitive areas such as their ears and paws, especially when the cold is combined with wind and moisture. Frostbite and permanent injury can happen very quickly after that.

2-Chafing

Moisture on the dog’s paws causes chafing during the winter. Chafing is similar to diaper rash in that it causes their toes to rub against each other, leaving the skin raw and exposed. Frostbite and infection can result from this moist, raw, and exposed skin. Be aware that if their paws are left damp, painful chafing can occur with or without dog boots. To avoid chafing, make sure your dog’s paws are completely dry before going outside, limit outdoor walks and playtime to short periods, and use a safe pet ice melter.

Wrapping Up

The cold isn’t the only concern; winter also brings salt on new concrete and corrosive deicers. If ingested, both liquid and rock salt pavement deicers can be highly harmful to our dog’s paws and digestive system. The natural corrosiveness of pavement rock salt or snowmelt salts causes chemical burns and irritation to unprotected paws. SafePaw, on the other hand, is a non-toxic, pet-safe ice and snow melter that you can use without hesitation.

Furthermore, dogs tend to lick their paws and lap up while walking or playing, melting snow and ice in puddles. Ingestion of these salts-containing melted snow and ice can result in severe burns, ulceration, and toxicity.

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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