Protecting Paws from Cold and Road Salt: Pad Care and Hypothermia in Dogs
How to protect your dog's paw pads in winter from road salt, chilblains and cuts from ice. Barrier balms, cleaning and when boots are needed.
In Brief
- De-icing salt spread on pavements is irritating, corrosive and toxic if your dog licks its paws when you get home.
- Paw pads can crack, bleed or develop painful chilblains after long contact with snow and frozen tarmac.
- Apply a protective barrier balm based on beeswax or shea butter before going out.
- When you get back, always wash the paws in lukewarm water and dry them carefully, including between the toes.
- Trim the long hair between the pads so that hard balls of ice cannot form.
The Hidden Danger of De-icing Salt
In the cities of northern Italy, tonnes of sodium chloride and calcium chloride are spread on the roads in winter. On a dog's paw pads this salt works like sandpaper:
Frost and salt together dry out the natural moisture of the pads, causing painful micro-cracks. If the dog licks its paws to soothe the burning, it swallows toxic substances that can trigger acute gastritis and vomiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are protective boots for dogs necessary?
Not for normal 20-minute walks in town, where a good protective balm and washing afterwards are enough. They become essential when hiking in deep snow or on bare ice, or if the pads already have cuts.