In many parts of the United States, winter means ice- and snow-covered sidewalks and roads. Our cities and towns use millions of tons of salt and other deicers to melt the white stuff off the roads—over 730 million pounds of salt was used on roadways in 2021 alone! We need to keep our walkways clear to prevent slips and falls, but all that ice melt, rock salt and other deicers can wreak havoc on our dogs’ delicate paws. Luckily, we’ve got advice for how to keep your dog’s paws safe in winter.
If you’re looking for dog-safe salt for ice, you may want to consider other deicers. Not only are rock salt and other salt-based deicers toxic if eaten directly off the ground or licked off paws once inside, but these deicers are also very drying to your dog’s paw pads and delicate skin between their toes. Sometimes deicers even include ethylene glycol (antifreeze), which is poisonous to pets.
Examples of pet-safe deicers include potassium chloride or magnesium chloride (slow but the safest) or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). CMA, a combination of lime and acetic acid, needs less product to work and is environmentally and pet friendly. Avoid propylene glycol-based products because they’re toxic to cats.
After returning from a walk, wash or wipe your dog’s paws with warm water, a cloth or grooming wipes to remove any chemicals that your dog may have walked through on city streets or sidewalks. This will prevent your dog from licking chemical residue off their paws and getting sick.
Much like lip balm, protective balms are available for your dog’s paws. These balms create a protective barrier between the paw pads and the salt-covered sidewalks. A thin layer of balm can be applied on your dog’s feet just before you head out for a walk. After the walk, gently wipe your dog’s paws with a towel or grooming wipes. Apply another thin layer and massage it into your dog’s paws to keep them moisturized. Your dog’s paws and skin may need extra care in the winter.
Available in different styles, you can get “balloon booties,” waterproof sock boots or rain boots (good in the snow, too!). Be sure to get properly fitting boots by using the manufacturer’s sizing guidelines. Many stores will let you try the boots on in the store or at home. Make sure they’re easy to get on and off, but not too easy—you don’t want your dog kicking them off as soon as you strap them on!
The idea of putting your bare feet in snow or ice for any length of time may sound unpleasant, but can dogs walk in ice and snow? Luckily, your dog is much more capable of putting their bare paws in the snow or ice. However, if your dog isn’t used to the cold, you may want to limit walks to 15 to 20 minutes at first before working up to 30 minutes. This isn’t just because of the snow and ice! The cold temperatures can make your dog susceptible to hypothermia.
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
