How to protect your dog’s paws from the snow

Time to break out the boots.

Winter walks through the fresh snow, cute. Your dog’s wellbeing at risk, not cute. Snow and ice can be riskiest for your dog’s paws, potentially exposing them to frostbite, dry pads, chapped lips, or cracked paws.

But the most dangerous elements are actually the salts and chemicals with which sidewalks are chalked with during the winter months. If ingested or exposed to without paw protection, these materials can cause chemical burns to your dog’s paw pads or indigestion.

The good news — it’s entirely avoidable, and just requires a little extra patience. Before the snow starts falling (and doesn’t stop ‘till March), take these precautionary steps to protect your dog’s paws.

Boot up.

Though your dog’s paws have natural immunity against the environmental pathogens they step through every day, they’re not invincible. Add winter-resistant dog boots to their wardrobe to combat this.

Not all dogs are as stoked about dressing up as we are, so give them time to adjust. Practice giving them a special treat when the boots go on to help associate boot-wearing with positive behavior. Let your dog take them for a test drive around the house or yard — and be patient. They’ll thank you when their feet are nice and toasty for miles.

Prep your yard ahead of time.

If boots aren’t your dog’s thing (or if you’re just going out for a bathroom break), shovel a pathway outside your door and cover it with straw. The straw helps absorb any additional snowfall and keep their paws clean.

Up your grooming game.

Especially during the winter, be sure to regularly trim your dog’s nails and paw hair. This helps prevent broken nails from boot friction or snow buildup on their hair (if they’re not wearing boots outside). Plus, long nails can force your dog’s toes to spread further apart during walks, which leaves them vulnerable to more snow or ice accumulation.

Moisturize regularly.

Whether your dog accepts or rejects their boots, it’s important to routinely moisturize their paws throughout the winter. Vaseline or a canine-specific paw balm will do the trick — just apply a coat to their paws before you head outside. The balm or Vaseline will create a barrier of protection between them and the elements, plus it hydrates their paw pads.

Pro Tip: Hang a dog drying towel by the door to wipe their paws clean before they can imprint the whole house.