Cold Weather Tips

Brr. Old man winter sneaked this year. Well, there’s still time to prepare so get your snow boots out. Don’t forgot to follow up on cold weather dog tips and protect your dog’s paws!

Trim Between Pads

Prevent snowball feet! Trim hair between your dog’s paw pads. This prevents balls of snow and ice from sticking between his pads. Not sure what to trim? Flip your dog’s paw over so you can get a good look. See those loose sprigs of hair poking out between the pads? That’s the culprit. Using blunt nose scissors, trim the hair even with the pad. Better yet, ask your groomer to shave between his pads!

Best Paw Protectant Ever

Just like our skin, a dog’s pads will become dry and cracked mostly due to direct contact with winter elements. There is a new product out there and it’s fabulous. The Blissful Dog’s Paw Butter is made from organic ingredients. It’s safe if a dog licks his feet after application and it softens cracked paws in nanominutes. In addition, prices are extremely reasonable (starting at $5) Plus all products are handmade! I stumbled across this product when searching for effective products to soothe dry elbows for Sobek, my Rottie. I was blown away. His elbows were back to normal within a few days.

Winter Dog Booties

When bringing dogs out for short or long winter walks, invest in winter dog booties. Muttluks Dog Boots are still the best out there! Why? They come in many different sizes (which fit even the tiniest dog), are easy to put on and take off, are machine-washable and waterproof and stay on. Yes, they actually stay on your dog’s feet!

Introduce dog booties slowly. This takes 2-3 minutes per day. Expect 3-4 days for most dogs to comfortably walk around while wearing booties.

• Click and treat when dog touches booties.
• Touch your dog’s paw with a bootie. Click/treat.
• Pick up a dog paw and touch toes with bootie. Click/treat.
• Place one paw in bootie. Click/treat and remove bootie.
• Put bootie on one foot. Click/treat while wearing it for one second.
• Keep practicing until dog wears all four booties comfortably, meaning he’s ignoring them.

Dog-Friendly Ice Melter

Traditional deicers are loaded with nasty chemicals that have burned pets’ paws and killed fragile wildlife due to sewer runoff. Plus, dogs absorb chemicals through their paws so keep them, your family and the environment safe this winter by using eco-friendly ice melters. Safe Paws and Melt are made from safe ingredients that will not harm wildlife, vegetation, pets, metals, wood or cement.

Keep warm this winter and check your dog’s paws often. How do you plan to spend your winter?