“Everyday dog habits explained from the grooming table.”
How to Protect Your Dog's Paws From Salt and Snow
Up here in Lake Tahoe, winter is hard on paws. Every year my salon filled up with dogs limping on cracked pads, ice balls packed between their toes and red, licked feet from road salt. Here's the simple routine I use with Cooper and Ginger all winter.
Plus, scroll down to see the single morning soft chew my 3-year-old, 100-pound sheepadoodle Cooper and my 6-year-old rescue Ginger get every day with breakfast.
Groomer Note 01
Trim the fur between the pads
Long fur between the pads is where snow packs into hard little ice balls. They pull on the skin and make every step uncomfortable. Doodles get this the worst.
Keep that fur trimmed level with the pads all winter. A groomer can do it in a minute at a nail trim.
Groomer Note 02
Rinse after every salty walk
Ice melt and road salt dry out pads and sting any little crack. And whatever's on the paws ends up licked off later.
Keep a tub or bowl of lukewarm water by the door. Dip, swish and you're done.
Groomer Note 03
Dry between the toes
Wet fur between the toes that never dries is how winter paws start to smell and get itchy. Towel between every toe, not just the bottoms.
Ten seconds a paw. Your floors will thank you too.
Groomer Note 04
A little paw balm before you go
A thin layer of paw balm on the pads before a snowy walk helps protect them, and booties are worth trying if your dog will wear them.
At home, choose a pet-safe ice melt for your own steps and driveway.
This week, try this: after your next walk, spread your dog's toes and look between the pads. Any ice balls, redness or long fur in there?
Pupganics Daily Multifunction · Beef Soft Chews
28 Soft Chews Per Jar · 🇺🇸 Made in the USA
This is the exact jar that sits next to our coffee maker every morning in Lake Tahoe. Check the full ingredient list and weight chart on Amazon and see if it is a fit for your dog.
