Protecting Your Dog’s Paws From Snow Damage

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Although dogs have pads on the bottoms of their paws, these pads can’t protect them from anything and everything. The pads on your dog’s feet don’t provide ideal protection during extreme temperatures and conditions. It’s vital that you know how to care for your dog’s paws.

A lot of the pavement your dog’s paws might come across outside have rock salt on them during the winter. Rock salt is toxic for dogs to ingest, so do not let your dog lick his or her paws while outside or right after he or she comes back inside. Wash your dog’s paws off with lukewarm water any time your dog comes back inside. When doing so, scan them to make sure nothing looks abnormal. Be on the lookout for any cracks or wounds; your dog’s paws can be damaged a lot more easily during the winter and summer months. If your dog’s paws appear to be irritated, try applying baby oil to the soles of your dog’s paws. It can help soothe them.

In addition, keep your dog’s nails trimmed. If you have trouble clipping them yourself, most pet grooming places will do it for around $15. It’s a smart idea to try to get your dog to wear doggie boots, which you can find at most pet stores. If your dog’s paws seem abnormal or if you think your dog is in extreme pain, take your dog to a veterinarian right away.

This all might seem tedious, but following these steps is a lot less painful than it would be if your dog’s paws were to become injured or infected. A trip to the vet to deal with damaged paws would be time-consuming, expensive, and uncomfortable for your dog. By following these precautions, you can be almost certain that you’ll never have to deal with any serious damage to your dog’s paws.