Winter Paw Care Tips for Dogs

Your dog’s paws are crucial to his health and well-being. Taking care of those furry feet is very important! As a responsible pet owner, you’ll want to take a few extra precautions in winter to keep your canine pal’s paws in good shape during the cold season. In this article, a Tipp City, OH vet offers winter paw care tips for dogs.

Walking on ice, snow, salt, and sand can irritate your pet’s sensitive paw pads, and can even cause painful burns and abrasions. Chemical de-icing agents can also hurt Fido’s furry feet. Try to keep your pet on soft surfaces, and wipe his paws down with a damp cloth after each walk.

One way to keep your furry friend’s feet nice and warm is to put little booties on him. Of course, while some dogs love prancing around in booties, not all of our canine buddies enjoy wearing footwear. Work with your pet: if Fido really hates wearing boots, don’t force him to.

That cold, dry winter air can make our skin dry and chapped. The same thing can happen to Fido’s paw pads. Use paw balm or wax to keep those furry feet from chapping.

If your pooch has those cute tufts of fur growing between his toes, keep these trimmed back. They can pick up ice balls or get matted or tangled, all of which can be very uncomfortable and even painful for your canine buddy.

Be sure to keep Fido’s nails clipped. Overgrown nails make it difficult for your pup to walk, especially on slick, icy surfaces. They can also contribute to or exacerbate painful bone/joint conditions, such as arthritis. If you’re nervous about doing it yourself, just call us to set up a quick nail trim appointment.

On warmer days, when snowmelt causes puddles, your pup may get his feet wet. Cold feet aren’t any more fun for Fido than they are for us! Dry those furry toes off with a towel, and use the time to check your pet’s paws for signs of injury or swelling. If you really want to pamper your pooch, indulge him with a gentle paw massage while you’re at it.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s health or care? We can help! Contact us, your Tipp City, OH veterinary hospital, today!