The cold season arrives and with it the long winter walks, we must be very careful with snow, muddy roads or sidewalks with salt for de-icing, but above all we cannot forget that the conditions during the winter are quite exhausting for dogs’ paws. It is not uncommon for the pads to crack or for the toes to clump together, which makes walking more difficult and could also lead to deeper wounds.

Our veterinarians advise you on a few tricks to protect dogs in winter and make winter outings safe and enjoyable:

Prevention

• Trim the fur: Long hairs on the paws favor the formation of snowballs during the winter. Trim the hairs between the paws with a scissors, carefully and often!

• Protection: Put a layer of grease or ointment on the pads and delicate areas between the toes to protect them from de-icing salt and prevent cracking of the skin.

Going for a walk

• Control: Inspect your furry’s paws frequently during long winter walks. Snow clumped between toes irritates the skin and can cause chafing and wounds. Remove snow carefully.

After each walk

• Cleaning: Dogs often lick their paws in winter, so they may ingest salt for de-icing and this could cause diarrhea. That is why it is important to clean your dog’s paws immediately after a walk with a damp cloth.

• Small wounds: Small cuts and tears on the paws can be relieved with a chamomile bath and an ointment.

We hope that our advice works for you and that your dogs manage to come out of these winter days undefeated and healthy. If you want to contact the GESPETFOOD veterinary team, write us at info@gespetfood.com and follow us on our social networks for more tips.