How To Protect Your Dog's Paws in the Winter: 5 Tips for Pet Parents

Winter is a great season to spend time outside with your dog.

Many pups prefer cold temperatures compared to hot temperatures and love having a chance to romp in the snow.

But pet parents need to take some extra precautions to keep dogs safe in the winter, and this includes finding the right type of paw protection.

Let’s look at how to protect dog paws in winter, and how to offer your pup the best dog paw protection.

Do Dogs Need Paw Protection in the Winter?

Yes!

Your pet needs dog paw protection in the colder months when being outside for longer periods. Dog paws bear the brunt of dangers associated with winter weather.

These dangers include:

• Sharp ice, which can cut deeply

• Snow forming painful clumps that can lodge between paw pads and in the fur around a dog’s feet

• Dampness, which increases the risk of frostbite

• Lack of traction, which may lead to slips, falls, strains, and sprains

• Ice-melting chemicals, which can irritate the skin or lead to digestive upset if licked from the fur. Large ingestions can even cause muscle tremors and seizures.

These risks increase the longer dogs are outside and the more miles they travel.

When there’s snow and ice on the ground, it’s important to offer dog paw protection for anything other than the shortest jaunt outside.

How To Protect Dog Paws in the Winter

When stepping outside in the cold, it’s important to protect your dog’s paws from the winter weather.

Since the low temperature and deicing salts are causes for concern, you’ll need to take some precautionary measures for your dog’s paw protection.

1. Use Booties

You may be wondering—should dogs wear snow boots?

Yes! Dog snow boots are the most reliable way to protect paws in winter.

They provide a nearly impenetrable barrier against sharp ice, snow, dampness, and chemicals and can help with traction. The best doggie boots for winter are:

• Lightweight

• Easy to get on and off

• Adjustable and come in a wide variety of sizes to ensure a snug but comfortable fit

• Made from durable, waterproof, breathable materials

• Easy to clean

• Nonslip

Keep in mind that doggie shoes for winter do take some getting used to!

Start by putting them on your dog in the house for just a few minutes.

Gradually build up to taking short and then longer walks outside and be sure to give your dog a few treats and praise.

Remove your dog’s snow boots once you’re inside so your dog doesn’t get uncomfortably warm or have the chance to lick chemicals off the exterior of the boots. Leaving them on for too long can also cause painful pressure sores.

Clean the outside of your dog's boots daily to help prevent wear and tear from salts and other environmental contaminants.

While doggie boots for winter offer the best protection against the elements, they aren’t right for every dog or in every situation.

Thankfully, pet parents have some other good choices.

2. Use Paw Balm

Paw balms like Musher's® Secret Paw Protection Natural Dog Wax won’t protect dogs from sharp ice, but they form a protective barrier against dampness and chemicals.

They also prevent snow from clumping between paw pads and toes.

Good paw balms also contain ingredients that are moisturizing and soothing to a dog’s feet.

To use a dog paw balm, apply a thin layer of balm on and between your dog’s paw pads, between their toes, and on the fur on the sides of the feet.

You’ll want to do this outdoors or in a garage, so your dog doesn’t track the paw balm around your house.

Place a towel next to your door so you can wipe any chemicals or excess balm off your dog’s feet before you let them back indoors.

Paw balms may need to be reapplied if you’re outside with your dog for a long time.

3. Carry a Towel

If you’re just heading out for a short walk, you may simply want to carry a hand towel or grooming glove along with you.

You can use it to wipe chemicals from your dog’s feet, remove any clumps of snow that form, and dry off your dog’s paws before coming back inside.

4. Shovel a Set Path

If you have a yard, shoveling a path for your dog to use can make potty breaks easier for everyone.

Of course, you’ll probably still want to go out for a walk around the neighborhood and your dog may decide to wander off the path you’ve provided, so shoveling won’t solve all your problems, but it can help.

Don’t let cold weather stop you and your dog from enjoying time outdoors. With a little preparation, winter can be safe for dogs and a whole lot of fun.

5. Only Use Pet-Friendly Deicing Salts

Deicing salts work wonders to help remove any icy obstacles from your property.

However, as a responsible pet parent, it’s important to make sure that you use a pet-friendly version.

This is to prevent toxicity if your dog ingests it (think licking paws after a long walk) and to protect sensitive dog paws and paw pads, as deicing salts can be very harsh.