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Winter Paw Care for Dogs: Salt, Ice and Cold Weather Tips

Winter pavements treated with grit salt, icy surfaces and cold temperatures can all take a toll on your dog's paws. A few simple precautions make walks comfortable, reduce the risk of salt poisoning and help prevent cracked paw pads. Here's how to keep paws healthy through the colder months.

The Risk of Grit Salt

Councils across the UK use rock salt and grit to de-ice roads and pavements in winter. While effective at preventing human slips, this salt can be harmful to dogs in two ways: it can irritate the skin between the toes and on the pads when in contact, and it can cause salt poisoning if licked off in significant quantities.

Salt toxicity in dogs causes vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, lethargy and in severe cases neurological signs and kidney damage. A dog that walks on heavily salted pavements and then licks its paws extensively is at risk, particularly smaller dogs.

The most effective prevention is simple: wash paws with warm water after every winter walk. A shallow tray of warm water by the door makes this easy. Focus on between the toes and pads where salt accumulates. Dry thoroughly afterwards, as persistently damp skin between the toes creates a warm environment for bacterial and yeast infections.

Ice Balls Between the Toes

Dogs with longer fur between their toes — Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies — are prone to ice ball formation in snowy conditions. As the dog walks through snow, it compacts between the toe hairs, freezes into hard balls, and can become extremely painful, causing lameness and distress.

Prevention is the best approach: trim the fur between the toes before winter (your groomer can do this if you prefer not to), and apply a thin layer of pet-safe paw balm (or petroleum jelly, used widely as an effective barrier) to the pads and between the toes before walks in snow.

If ice balls form during a walk, stop and carefully remove them by placing your warm hand over the paw until they melt. Don't pull at them — this can damage the delicate skin between the toes. Booties (dog shoes) effectively prevent ice ball formation for dogs that will accept wearing them.

Cold-Weather Paw Damage

Extended exposure to cold, wet ground can cause paw pads to become cracked, sore and susceptible to cracking. The repeated freezing and thawing of moisture in the outer layers of pad skin leads to the same micro-cracking seen in human hands during winter.

Pay particular attention to elderly dogs, dogs with compromised circulation, and dogs with existing skin conditions — these groups are more vulnerable to cold-related paw damage. A standard walk on a dry surface poses little risk; extended walks on wet, cold or salty surfaces are where problems arise.

A quality dog paw balm (Musher's Secret, Pet Head and various others are available in the UK) forms a protective barrier on the pads, helps retain moisture and provides some insulation from cold surfaces. Apply before walks in winter conditions and after washing paws on return.

Dog Booties: Do They Work?

Dog booties provide the most comprehensive protection against salt, ice and cold, but many dogs take time to accept wearing them — the novel sensation of covered paws causes an exaggerated high-stepping gait in most dogs initially.

For dogs that will accept them, booties are genuinely effective: they prevent salt contact, stop ice ball formation, and provide thermal insulation. Brands including Ruffwear, Ultra Paws and Pawz (disposable booties) are available in the UK and receive generally good user reviews for fit and durability.

Introduce booties gradually and in a positive way — pair putting them on with treats and praise. Start with short indoor sessions before taking them outdoors. Most dogs habituate within a few days to weeks if introduction is handled patiently.

Antifreeze: The Deadly Winter Danger

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is particularly dangerous in winter when it's most commonly used in vehicles and may drip or spill on driveways. It has a sweet taste attractive to dogs and cats and is rapidly fatal in small quantities — cats are especially sensitive, with even a few drops potentially lethal.

Signs of antifreeze poisoning (appearing 30 minutes to a few hours after ingestion) include vomiting, disorientation, apparent drunkenness, excessive thirst and seizures. Without immediate veterinary treatment, kidney failure and death follow. Prompt treatment with an antidote (fomepizole) can be life-saving.

If you suspect antifreeze ingestion, contact an emergency vet immediately — this is a toxicological emergency. Wipe up any spills promptly and consider switching to pet-safe antifreeze products (propylene glycol-based) for vehicles and screen wash.

Find a Vet Near You

If your dog has ingested antifreeze or salt or has developed cracked, infected paws, a vet visit is needed promptly. Use CompareMyVet at app.comparemyvet.uk to find and compare vet practices near you, including emergency services for toxin ingestion.