Looking after my dog’s paws in the winter

Manon Brulé Manon Brulé

Here we are again, winter has arrived as well as the bad weather: the cold, the wind, the frost, the rain and so on… So many reasons to wind us up, but have we thought about protecting our four-legged friends from these weather conditions?

What are the risks for my dog’s paws in the winter?

Your dog’s paws and pads are the body parts the most affected by the cold.

The pads are covered by a thick layer of keratin, under which there is a very fragile epidermis. Therefore, in the winter pads can suffer from cracks, crevasses or even cuts which are very painful for your dog.

What are the signs? 

Your dog will certainly show you signs of discomfort if the cold and the bad weather are affecting him/her:

• He/she doesn’t really want to go out for a walk and stops after a few minutes: maybe shorter walks but more often will suit him/her better?
• He/she’s licking or biting their paws: make sure you immediately check there is no injury. If you realise that the pads are damaged, repair it with a healing balm like Phytobalm by Hilton Herbs. You can also apply some coconut oil as it will give some comfort to a damaged skin.

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For more info: Herbs and their benefits for the coat and the skin https://www.hiltonherbs.com/en/blog/herbs-and-their-benefits-for-the-coat-and-the-skin

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How to prevent these injuries?

To avoid this type of lesions, here are a bit of advice:

• Moisturize your dog’s paws with shea butter, or a healing balm such as Phytobalm by Hilton Herbs 
• Reinforce and protect the skin with a hardening solution
• When you’re back from your walk, rinse your dog’s paws with warm water and dry them well: the products used to clear the roads from the frost and the snow like salt can be very abrasive and corrosive. If possible, avoid these areas.

Did you know? Natural salt (sodium chloride) used to clear the snow is very corrosive and can be harmful for the dog’s paws. Moreover, it is toxic for your dog to ingest it.

• You can very easily find some boots/socks especially made for dogs. Don’t hesitate to try them if your dog is very sensitive in the winter!
• Some dogs have very long hair in between their pads: to avoid the snow or ice to get stuck in it, trim the hair under their paws as it will be less likely to amass/accumulate it.

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About Manon Brulé Manon Brulé

Manon previously worked within the horse-racing industry in Newmarket but prior to that has travelled extensively and worked in various equine-related sectors both here and abroad. She also brings her extensive equestrian and canine knowledge which is invaluable in helping the company’s French-speaking customers.