Dog paws in winter: salt, ice and cleaning after a walk

Winter is a test for paws. Outside there is salt, ice and gravel, and at home a floor that looks like a snowstorm hit it after every walk. I'm Parťák, the cartoon dog of FreshPaw, and luckily my paws are drawn, so I don't worry about salt. You do worry about it with real dogs, so here are a few simple rules for looking after paws in winter.

What happens to paws on a winter walk

Pavements are gritted with salt and spreading material in winter. These can irritate the skin on the pads and between the toes, and the dog likes to lick them off when he gets home. Clumps of snow and ice stick in the fur between the toes, which presses on the paws. Sharp bits of gravel or ice can scratch a pad. None of this is a tragedy, but all of it can be caught right after you get home.

After the walk: rinse, dry, check

1. Rinse the paws with lukewarm water. Not hot, not icy. The aim is to wash off salt and dirt before the dog licks it away.
2. Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Dampness between the pads is another strain on the skin. A towel is enough, just don't rub hard.
3. Check the pads. Look for cracks, small wounds, red skin, a stuck pebble or ice in the fur. A few seconds is enough.
4. Don't let him lick the paws for long. If he keeps doing it, it is a reason to look more closely.

Fur between the pads

Long fur between the pads collects ice, snow and salt. Whether to trim it is for a groomer or vet to decide for your particular dog. Scissors near paws are a job for an experienced hand, definitely not for a quick fix on the sofa in the evening.

A cup for washing paws

If you don't feel like washing paws in the sink after every walk, there is a rechargeable paw washer cup. It is cordless, operated with one button and charged with a USB-C cable. The battery is 500 mAh and, according to the description, lasts 30 to 50 minutes per charge. The casing is ABS and the inner insert is TPR. The box contains the cup, a cable and instructions, and you can choose from two versions, blue and white or plain blue.

One note about size. The outer dimensions are 17 × 10 × 9.5 cm and the weight is 379 g, but the opening for the paw is narrower than the outer dimensions. With a large dog, first compare the size of his paw with the cup. The cup does not replace checking the paws, it just makes washing easier.

When to see a vet

Home care has its limits. See a vet if a paw is bleeding, the dog limps or does not want you to touch the paw, has deep cracks, swelling, pus or a smell, or keeps licking or chewing the paw for a long time. Don't wait for it to go away.

And while we're on winter, also have a look at winter clothing for dogs. More tips and small things for dog people are in the Gifts collection.