'Care is crucial': The 3 things every dog owner should do to keep their dog's paws safe during cold weather

Pet experts are urging dog owners to take extra care of their pets’ paws this winter.

As temperatures drop and frost begins to settle, there are seasonal hazards that can hurt your dogs’ paws from road ice, to grit or ice and snow.

Sean McCormack, Head Vet at Tails, shares his expert advice on winter paw care, covering prevention, treatment, and everything in between. Sean said: “From injury prevention to post-walk treatment, winter paw care is crucial as the seasons shift.

“Autumn and winter bring wet, icy conditions, with rain and even snow, which many dogs love. While winter walks can be magical, especially if your dog is experiencing snow for the first time, they also come with added risks.”

How to protect your dog’s paws during cold weather?

The weather is turning colder, and whilst it’s unpleasant for us humans, it can have consequences for our dogs on their daily walks.

Grit, ice and de-icing salts can be quite abrasive or irritating to paw pads. Commonly used to keep pavements safe for people, it can cause discomfort, dryness, cracking, and, in some cases, chemical burns.

Sean said: “While dogs’ paws are naturally resilient, they’re not immune to damage. Cold, wet, or chemically treated surfaces can lead to issues, especially for dogs walking daily on busy, gritted routes.

“Beyond chemicals, icy conditions pose a physical hazard; sharp ice can cause small cuts to bare paws. Furthermore, ice results in slick surfaces which can increase the risk of slips and falls, not just for dogs, but for their humans too.”

Sean recommends that before heading out for a walk, you make sure your dog’s walking route is sensible and avoid walking in heavily gritted areas.

Here are Sean’s three tips to protect your dog’s paws during winter

Use a protective barrier

Apply a thin layer of a dog-safe paw balm or wax to create a protective barrier against chemicals and salt during their walks. These are similar to moisturisers for humans, but specifically formulated for dogs.

Sean said: “Never use human beauty products on your dog; they often contain ingredients that aren’t safe for pets.”

Rinse their paws

After walks, especially if you’ve been over salted or icy areas, rinse your dog’s paws with water and dry them gently. This helps remove any salt, grit or chemical residue that could irritate their paws, or be ingested if your dog licks later.

Check their paws

Always check your dog’s paws and between their toes for trapped debris, including grit that can lodge between paw pads or get caught in the fur around their feet.

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Should I get dog boots for my dog?

Dog boots have grown in popularity thanks to social media. While some might see it as a solution to looking after your pet’s paws in the cold, Sean is hesitant about them for a couple of reasons.

Sean said: “First of all, most dogs hate them. You may have seen 'funny' social media videos of dogs with boots on walking oddly, hopping or dancing around in them, even walking on their two front legs with hind limbs in the air. But it's not funny to force them into something that makes them uncomfortable.

“Second, walking in boots can change a dog's gait, or how it's moving, and can lead to chafing or rubbing injuries, even muscle tension or discomfort elsewhere as they compensate for this new way of walking."

Why does my dog lick their paws after a walk?

If your dog is licking their paws excessively after a walk or you notice redness or cracking, do not ignore this.

Sean said: “Clean the area with warm water, gently pat it dry, and apply a dog-safe soothing balm. If symptoms persist or get worse, speak to your vet; it could be a sign of an infection or allergic reaction.”

He also recommends checking your dog’s nails and the fur around their paws, keeping it trimmed, as overgrown hair can trap ice and moisture between the toes, causing discomfort.

Sean added: “If you notice snow build-up, soak it off in warm water, don’t pull, as that can hurt.”

You can keep your dog’s paws healthy, pain-free and ready for winter with these simple steps. Find out more about looking after your dog during cold weather at the RSPCA.