Keep Pet Paws Safe in the Wintertime

Playing fetch-the-snowball, romping through fluffy drifts and taking quiet walks during snowfalls are just some of the reasons why winter can be a wonderland of fun for you and your dog. But these activities can also wreak havoc on dog paws. “While pet pads are a lot more resilient than our feet, they do have their limits,” said Dr. Graham Brayshaw, DVM and director of animal services at the Animal Humane Society in Minnesota. Chemical de-icers, salt and ice can cause painful injuries to dog paws. If left untreated, it can lead to infections and severe pain, requiring medications or even surgery, according to Dr. Brayshaw. “Exosure to enough heat, or cold or rough surfaces can irritate, inflame or wear through any pad.” That doesn’t mean that your dog has to be left out in the cold when it comes to wintertime fun. Keep her little dog paws safe and healthy with these simple pet care tips.

Give Them Sure Footing

Before you head out to enjoy winter games, make sure your dog’s paws are in good shape. Check pet paws for cracks, cuts or other issues. Use moisturizing topical treatments like Angels’ Eyes Soft Paw Moisturizer, that’s made with natural ingredients for rough, dry and cracked pet paws. You can help insulate them from the cold with natural creams like Tomlyn Protecta-Pad Paw Pad and Elbow Cream.

Waterproof booties can help keep dog feet warm and safe, but not all dogs are comfortable wearing anything on their feet. They may try to chew them off or refuse to walk at all. To help your dog get used to the idea of wearing shoes, don’t wait until the day the big snow storm hits. “Practice putting them on and taking them off your pet for a few weeks so they’ll be used to them when a snow day comes,” said Steven Appelbaum, president and CEO of Animal Behavior College in Santa Clarita, CA.

Use Gentler De-Icers for Pet Paws

Chemical de-icers and sidewalk salt used on streets and sidewalks can not only irritate and burn pet paws, but they can also make your dog sick. When dissolved in water, the chemicals in de-icers react; it creates heat to melt the ice that potentially burn your dog’s paws. These chemicals can also stick to your dog’s feet in the form of ice balls.  When licked, they can cause mouth burns, diarrhea and other health problems.

“If your pet becomes reluctant to walk shortly after outdoor exposure, is excessively licking or biting at their toes, or you notice redness on the skin around the paw pads, this may indicate a problem with chemical exposure on their feet,” says Dr. Lee Gregory, DVM at the Maine Medical Center. “In these cases, remove any ice balls, wash or wipe your dog’s feet clean, and contact your veterinarian in case additional treatment is needed.”

Keep Ice Melters Pet-Safe

Start your winter day on the right foot by avoiding areas known to use de-icers. If you’re not sure, look for the tell-tale white pellets or salt rocks. At your own residence, use pet-safe, salt-free ice melters. Sand is another alternative, and while it’s safer than salt, it can cause chafing. On those occasions when avoiding de-icers isn’t possible, use topical treatments like Four Paws Paw Guard with Lanolin.  This product is specially made to protect paws against salt, sand and other ice and snow eliminators.

Along with de-icers, walking on sharp ice edges or stepping on pointy objects buried in the snow can also cause damage to dog feet. Be sure to check pet paws for any burns, cuts or other injuries, and consult your veterinarian if needed. Protect and repair paw pads with soothing treatments like NaturVet Tender Foot, Food Pad & Elbow Cream. And if Jack Frost’s been nipping at your dog’s nose, you can use a natural moisturizer made just for cracked noses, like Burt’s Bees Care Plus+Paw & Nose Relieving Lotion that’s made with chamomile and rosemary flower extract.

Nip Frostbite in the Pet Paws

In most cases, frostbite is a result of being exposed to the cold for long periods of time. The best way to avoid it is to stay indoors during extreme winter weather, says Dr. Brayshaw. But in those instances when it can occur, watch for the following the signs:

• Trouble moving extremities like feet, tail and ear tips
• Discoloration of the skin
• Burns or direct damage to tissue

If you suspect your pet has frostbite, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Other Winter Safety Tips for Dogs

• Consider your dog’s breed when going out in winter weather. “Huskies and many other breeds are made for running in the snow, but a Chihuahua needs a jacket when it starts to get chilly,” advises Dr. Brayshaw.
• Tread on ice lightly, because slips and falls—particularly for elderly pets—are more common in winter.
• Do not leave your pet outside in extreme temperatures.
• Keep antifreeze away from pets. It’s poisonous and can be deadly if ingested.
• Move food and water indoors to keep them from freezing over.

Use this guide to help keep pet paws safe from snow, ice, de-icers and other cold-weather dangers so you can enjoy plenty of fun snow days with your pup.

What Makes a Dog Nose Unique?

You know that your dog has an amazing sense of smell, but have you ever wondered just how amazing it is, and why it’s so much more powerful than a human’s?

To learn some cool facts about the dog sense of smell and how dogs use their noses, we got in touch with sniffer scientist Nathaniel Hall, director of the Canine Olfaction Research and Education Laboratory at Texas Tech University.

5 Cool Facts About Your Dog’s Sense of Smell

1. Dog Sense of Smell Is Measured by Threshold

   “There are many ways to categorize sense of smell, but one way is to test an animal’s threshold, which can be different for different odors. A dog nose can detect an odor in parts per billion, while humans may only be able to detect the same odor in parts per million. It’s like if you were to put just a drop of the odor in a swimming pool. Dogs can pick up very small concentrations of certain scents,” says Hall.

2. Pugs Can Hold Their Own in a Sniffing Contest

   Purebred dogs are usually selected for specific jobs because of their genetically given abilities. A German Shepherd, for example, may need to detect drugs while on the job. But just because a dog breed has a reputation for being a skilled sniffer, it does not therefore mean that their dog sense of smell is unparalleled.

   “It’s not necessarily true that the breeds believed to be the best at smelling actually have the best dog noses,” says Hall. “We did a study with 30 dogs: 10 Pugs, 10 Greyhounds and 10 German Shepherds. The pugs were rock stars,—they actually performed the best when tested against the others.”

3. Dog Noses Are Better at Detecting Smelly Odors

   Though the dog sense of smell is superior, there are some odors that dogs can detect more easily than others. “Dogs are best able to detect odors high in butyric acid—strong, foul-smelling odors are easiest for them to pick up,” says Hall.

   No surprise there! We’ve all seen—and smelled—our dogs after they managed to find the foulest smelling substances in the park to roll around in. It’s no wonder that they cover themselves in the most pungent scents they can find.

   Puzzle toys like Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone or Trixie Activity Poker Box are great ways to put that sensational dog sense of smell to work. You can use them to feed kibble, and if your dog has trouble figuring them out for the first time, you can use a smelly treat likefreeze-dried liver to help them out.

4. It Takes More Than a Good Dog Nose to Develop a Powerful Sense of Smell

   Dogs and other animals have better smelling skills than humans because of the structure of their noses. Instead of breathing in and out the same openings, each nostril has separate openings for breathing in and out. Not only that, but each nostril operates independently, capturing different smells from different directions. But a more complex dog nose is not the only reason we’re so poor at detecting scents in comparison.

   “It’s not just the larger amount of receptors that allow animals to detect a wider variety of odors. As humans, our sense of smell isn’t actually half-bad,” says Hall. “It’s also differences in behavior that affect how we use our sense of smell. Dogs always have their noses to the ground, especially on walks when humans want to keep moving along.”

   “We really don’t take the time to sniff anything for more than a few moments, while dogs will deeply investigate with many, many sniffs.” While your nose will never be as powerful as a dog’s, it wouldn’t hurt to give it more credit. Consider your next dog walk an adventure in discovering new smells. Join your dog in taking in both sights and scents along the way.

5. Dogs Sniff Around 5-6 Times per Second

   “You’ll notice that dogs never just sniff something once,” says Hall. “When they’re really interested in an odor, they’ll sniff at a rate of about 5-6 times per second.”

   Try to pay attention to your pup’s sniff rate next time you come home to your dog after you’ve been around another dog. Nothing gets past that super sniffer!

Lindsay Pevny is on a mission to gather science-based information on pet care, training and products, and to use her writing to help other dog parents make informed decisions for their four-legged family members. As a pet copywriter, she works with passionate pet business owners to spread the word about their innovative pet products and services. Get to know her doggy muses, Matilda and Cow, on her personal blog, Little Dog Tips.