How To Protect Dog Paws: From Heat, Cold, & Salt

 

We’ve previously written a guide about what you can do about rough or dry dog paws.

But, there’s also the protection of dog paw pads from different outside surfaces to consider when it comes to paw care.

We’ve divided the guide below into three sections:

– How to protect dog paws from the cold, winter, ice and snow

– How to protect dog paws from the heat, and hot surfaces like hot pavement and sand

– How to protect dog paws from salt used to melt snow

We list protection options for each of the three areas.

Let’s take a deeper look at these options and areas below.

 

(NOTE: this is a general informational and educational guide only. It is not professional advice. See a vet or qualified expert for professional advice)

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How To Protect Dog Paws: From Heat, Cold, & Salt

 

How To Protect Dog Paws: From The Cold, Winter, Ice, Snow Etc.

1. Keep winter walks shorter than warm weather walks

You can take your dog for walks in the cooler periods of the day in the summer to protect their paws.

For winter, it’s usually coldest in the mornings and at night, and is probably going to be cold during the day too.

So, there’s no real perfect time to take your dog outside.

What you can do is keep winter walks shorter but quicker so your dog isn’t outside as long, but get’s a more intense walk.

 

2. Wipe down and dry your dog’s paws thoroughly when coming inside from the cold or home from a walk

This is a great idea and something that is highly recommended for a number of reasons.

After your dog has been outside, and when their paws are exposed to the wet, ice or snow – wipe down their paws with a cloth and dry them thoroughly with a towel.

Wiping the paws with a warm water cloth warms the paws as well as getting rid of any ice salt or snow ice.

Drying the paws off prevents any chafing or wet paw problems arising.

 

3. Keep your dog’s paw hairs well trimmed and groomed

Ice, snow and water can freeze on the hairs in between your dog’s toes on their paws.

Keeping your dog’s coat and paw hair well trimmed and groomed can help with this.

 

4. Clear and melt snow in your yard, but be careful to dissolve melting agents thoroughly

Keeping your yard clear of snow can be a good way to protect your dog’s paws.

Some people do this with a shovel for light snow.

Some people choose to use a non-toxic ice melting salt or snow melting agent to get rid of snow or ice.

There are some popular ice melters for pets like Safe Paw Non Toxic Ice Melter (on Amazon), but be sure that they are non-toxic, and be very careful of applying them to concrete or driveways as sometimes they can damage these surfaces.

Test on a very very small part of your desired surface first to see it’s effect on it before deciding to use on the whole surface.

Also, it’s a good idea to get your vet’s opinion on any ice melter you use, follow product instructions, and wipe your dog’s paws up after they’ve been outside after application.

 

5. Dog Paw Wax & Balm

You can get paw protection waxes that are suppose to protect paws from snow, ice, salt and other cold surfaces.

The way they work is they form a semi permeable wax shield over the pads and the exposed areas of the paw.

They also act as a moisturiser.

Musher’s Pet Paw Wax (on Amazon) is a popular paw wax that a lot of owners use.

Others might be:

• Pawstruck Ruff Relief Balm for Dogs (on Amazon) – balm
• Dermoscent BioBalm Skin Repairing Dog Balm (on Chewy) – 100% natural
• 4 Legger Certified Organic Nose and Paw Pad Healing Balm (on Amazon) – balm

Read more in this guide about some of the best dog paw waxes.

 

6. Dog Paw Moisturiser or Petroleum Jelly

Non toxic Paw moisturiser or petroleum jelly has a similar purpose as paw wax and can:

– moisturise dry or water soaked paws

– or provide lubrication to paws that look like they might be chafing or have skin irritation from the cold

 

7. Waterproof Dog Boots and Dog Shoes

Dog boots and dog shoes give your dog a guaranteed layer of protection in the cold – the same way your shoes protect your feet.

Many of them are anti slip with rubber soles (to help your dog have more traction on ice for example), whilst also being comfortable.

Something like the My Busy Dog Dog Shoes With Velcro Strap and Anti Slip Soles (on Amazon) is popular.

They can be used for a range of purposes and activities.

It’s important to make sure you get the sizing right for your dog’s paws.

 

8. Waterproof Dog Socks

Waterproof dog socks  are good as another layer of protection on your dogs paws under dog shoes and boots.

Because they are waterproof, they help in conditions that are rainy, snowy, icy or just cold in general.

Some people like dog socks whilst others think they are unnecessary.

 

9. Make sure your dog is drinking and eating enough in colder seasons

Dogs use more energy in the cold to regulate their body temperature and stay warm.

If your dog isn’t eating enough they may be running low on energy to burn to keep warm.

Similarly, if they aren’t drinking enough, they may become dehydrated which affects the body’s temperature to function properly as well.

Your dog’s paws not only need to stay warm, but they need a heavy blood supply to the pads which tend to regenerate skin cells quite quickly.

If your dog isn’t eating or drinking enough it can affect this process.

 

10. Check paws regularly for signs of red, inflamed or unhealthy paws

Cold, wet or icy conditions can cause your dog’s paws to become inflamed, red, chafed or a number of other things which affects the health of the paw and pad.

Check your dog’s paws and pads regularly to make sure they look normal.

Take your dog to the vet if you suspect the paw is injured or unhealthy in any way.

 

11. Unless you have a cold weather dog breed, keep your dog inside in very cold temperatures

Some breeds of dogs like Huskies or dogs with undercoats are going to naturally not feel the cold as much as other dogs.

Dogs in some parts of the world, like snow and sledding dogs, are also specifically bred or brought up to live in the cold.

If you see that your dog struggles in the cold, try to keep them inside as much as possible to keep them warm, while still allowing them to get exercise.

 

How To Protect Dog Paws: From The Heat, Hot Pavement, & Hot Surfaces

1. Walk your dog early in the morning, or late at morning, before the sun has fully come up, or when it is going down/is down

Walking your dog when the sun is still up or during the middle of the day is just asking for trouble.

Not only do you risk most ground surfaces being hot, but dogs in general are going to struggle walking during hot days (especially if they have lots of fur).

When taking your dog out for walks, try to take them earlier in the morning before work, or late at night when the sun isn’t up.

Not only will the overall temperature be cooler, but most surfaces should be cooler for your dog to walk on.

It’s a win for both you and your dog really.

 

2. Walk your dog on softer and cooler surfaces like grass, or in the water

Surfaces like grass don’t retain as much heat as surfaces like asphalt and concrete.

Water in a home pool or water at the beach are also going to be cool.

If it’s hot where you are, try allowing your dog to walk on surfaces in the shade with lower ground temperatures, or cool surfaces in general like grass and water.

 

3. Erect a shade cloth over hot pavement at home

If you have hot pavement or surfaces at home like concrete, masonry or pavers, you might like to explore if erecting a shade cloth is an option at home.

Something like a gazebo is easy to erect, reasonably affordable and portable. 

This allows your dog more ground at home to lay down or walk around on out of direct sun without having to replace existing surfaces with something like grass.

 

4. Use a paw protection wax

You can get paw protection waxes that are suppose to protect paws from sand, hot pavement, ice, salt and other hot or cold surfaces.

The way they work is they form a semi permeable wax shield over the pads and the exposed areas of the paw.

They also act as a moisturiser.

Musher’s Pet Paw Wax (on Amazon) is a popular paw wax that a lot of owners use.

Read more in this guide about some of the best dog paw waxes.

 

5. Use paw protection dog boots and dog shoes

Dog boots and dog shoes give your dog a guaranteed layer of protection – the same way your shoes protect your feet.

Many of them are anti slip with rubber soles, giving your dog more traction, whilst also being comfortable.

Something like the My Busy Dog Dog Shoes With Velcro Strap and Anti Slip Soles (on Amazon) is popular.

They can be used for a range of purposes and activities.

It’s important to make sure you get the sizing right for your dog’s paws.

 

6. Use dog socks

Dog socks by themselves are less ideal that dog shoes or boots, because they are made of cotton as opposed to hard wearing rubber which means they are thinner and less durable (obviously you’ll get holes in your dogs socks if they walk around in them outside on rough surfaces).

But, they still provide your dog with another layer of protection.

Some people choose to use dog socks with dog boots to prevent rubbing on skin and chafing of the paw – especially if their dog has skin conditions which can get irritated by rubbing.

Dog socks can be bought in a number of lengths and patterns.

 

7. Inspect and check on the health of your dog’s paws and pads regularly

Cracking, heat blisters and burns might all occur in the summer months as a result of hot surfaces.

Make sure you inspect your dog’s paws regularly for signs of damage or injury.

Dog’s paws are naturally rough and have very small cracks similar to the way we develop calluses on our skin, but be on the look out for anything more than that.

If your dog looks like they are sensitive or in pain on their paws that could be a good indicator.

 

8. Make sure your dog is getting a balanced diet

This is something we mention in our guide about home remedies for dry or rough dog paw pads.

A dog’s paw pads need to replenish skills cells very rapidly and need good blood supply with quality nutrients to do so.

If your dog’s diet isn’t balanced or is nutritionally deficient, it can impact how well the pads are able to stay naturally durable and repair themselves.

Ask your vet when you go if they think your dog’s diet is best for your dog.

 

9. Make sure your dog is healthy by taking them for regular vet checks

Like food nutrition, problems in other areas of your dog’s body like liver disease or hormone imbalances can affect how sensitive to damage your dog’s paws and pads are.

Make sure your dog is getting health checks as required.

 

10. BONUS TIP: Watch out for exposed doggy skin in the sun, and dogs with white fur

It’s not just a dog’s paws and paw pads that are at risk in the summer or in hot conditions.

Exposed skin (your dog’s nose is exposed skin!) or white coats can get sunburnt.

To prevent doggy sunburn, and cancer in some cases, keep your dog out of the direct sun for long periods.

If you are taking your dog out somewhere like the beach for example, you might like to consider a doggy sun screen to protect their skin from the sun. Epi Pet Pet Protector Sunscreen (on Amazon) is FDA Compliant 

FDA approved or natural sunscreens with a SPF rating might be your first consideration.

 

How To Protect Dog Paws: From Salt

1. Walk your dog in areas where you know salt is not used or present

Cities that get heavy snowfall tend to manage all that snow with large amounts of a strong grade of ice/snow melting salt.

This salt usually has melting agents in it that are not always safe for pets – they can have a level toxicity in them that irritate the paws. Drying the paws out, and sometimes causing burns can be side effects.

Knowing this, if possible, try to take your dog walking or to exercise in areas where you know salts are not used – like a park for example.

 

2. Wash your dog’s paws when you get home from walks

If avoiding areas where salt is used is not an option for you, this is a great option – but it will take 5 minutes each time your dog comes in from outside.

After each walk or when your dog comes inside, have a warm (not hot) bowl of water and wet small towel ready.

Thoroughly wash down your dog’s paws, pads and in between their toes with the towel.

This should help get rid of any salts that are sitting on the surface of the paws.

 

3. Consider using dog boots/dog shoes

Dog boots and dog shoes give your dog a guaranteed layer of protection between your dog’s pads and salt.

Many of them are anti slip with rubber soles (to help your dog have more traction on ice for example), whilst also being comfortable.

Something like the My Busy Dog Dog Shoes With Velcro Strap and Anti Slip Soles (on Amazon)is popular.

They can be used for a range of purposes and activities.

It’s important to make sure you get the sizing right for your dog’s paws.

 

4. Consider using a paw protector wax

You can get paw protection waxes that are quite affordable, and are suppose dto protect paws from snow, ice, salt and other cold surfaces.

The way they work is they form a semi permeable wax shield over the pads and the exposed areas of the paw.

They also act as a moisturiser.

Musher’s Pet Paw Wax (on Amazon) is a popular paw wax that a lot of owners use.

If going with this option, and using the wax for the first time, it’s worth checking the paws in the first few weeks after use to make sure it’s working as desired.

 

5. Use a pet formulated ice and snow salt

If you are using a snow or ice melting salt in your own yard, make sure you get one that is formulated for pets.

These types of melting salts and agents are usually non toxic, or carry some type of statement that they are safe for pets.

It’s important with these products to check the ingredient list, instructions for use (and follow them strictly), and pay attention to any warnings on the label.

Speak to a vet if you are unsure about the use of a particular pet safe ice melter.

Another thing to mention about ice melters is that you should be wary of using them on different surfaces. For example, the ice melter might be ok on your lawn, but it might cause damage to concrete or other parts of your yard.

Research and test ice melters at your own risk.

An example of a popular ice melter is Safe Paw Non-Toxic Ice Melter For Pets and Kids (on Amazon).

 

6. If your dog is exposed to salt areas, check their paws regularly for signs of health

Check your dogs paws regularly and inspect their health.

If you see any signs of irritation that appear to worsen, or the paws appear dry, rough or cracked more than normal – it may be worth going to see a vet.

 

 

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