Winter Care for Dog Paws: Salt, Ice, and Cracked Pads

Dogs generally love winter — snow, frost, romping in snowdrifts. But for their paws, it’s the toughest season of the year.

What harms paws most in winter

Road salt

Sodium chloride dissolved in water irritates and dries out the skin, stinging every tiny crack like a wound. Dogs also lick their paws, swallowing the salt — in larger quantities, it can make them vomit and suffer from diarrhea.

Ice balls between the toes

Wet snow clings to the fur between the paw pads and freezes into hard little balls. They press and chafe, and long-haired dogs may start limping before their owner even realizes why.

Dry air and sudden temperature changes

Going straight from freezing temperatures to a hot radiator — the skin on paw pads takes it just as badly as the skin on our hands. Cracks form mainly around the edges of the pads and hurt with every step.

How to protect paws

• Trim the fur between the toes. Carefully snip it level with the paw pads using round-tipped scissors. This leaves the snow with nothing to cling to.
• Apply protective wax or balm before a walk. It creates a film that makes it harder for salt and ice to stick. Let it set for a little while before you head out.
• Consider dog boots — especially in cities, where the roads are salted most. Most dogs get used to them within a few days if you start indoors and keep sessions short.
• Avoid salted areas where possible. Snow and grass in the park are much gentler on paws than the pavement.

Care as soon as you get home

Rinse the paws with lukewarm water — don’t just wipe them; the salt needs to dissolve and wash away. Then dry them thoroughly, including between the toes, where leftover moisture can cause irritation. Finish by applying balm and keeping your dog occupied for a little while so they don’t lick it off.

If your dog can stand still, run a finger over the paw pads and check for cuts. Broken glass and sharp stones hidden under the snow are a common reason for winter vet visits.

Winter takes energy, too

In freezing weather, dogs burn more energy just maintaining their body temperature, even on a walk of the same length as in summer. For active dogs, it makes sense to increase their portion slightly and choose treats that pack more nutrition into a small amount.

Our Dingo suchary are a good choice. They’re cold-pressed and contain meat or fish in addition to flour. Small Drops are handy for training with gloves on, and won’t crumble in your pocket.

The same rule still applies, though: treats should make up no more than about a tenth of your dog’s daily intake. The rest should come from their main food.

When to see a vet

Limping that doesn’t go away by the next day, swelling between the toes, a bleeding crack, or a paw pad that feels hot to the touch are no longer things you can treat at home. The same goes for repeatedly licking one particular paw — it’s often caused by a foreign object or inflammation, not just dry skin.

Otherwise, paws can handle more than we think. What they need most is regular care: trim, apply balm, rinse after walks. Three minutes a day can get you through winter without a single crack.