Winter Paw Care: How To Protect Your Dog's Feet
"Give me five!" Make sure to keep those paws happy and healthy!
Results from a recently released study conducted by Japanese scientists at Tokyo’s Yamazaki Gakuen University suggest that dogs have special blood vessels in their feet that actually help protect them from the effects of snow and ice. The researchers propose a mechanism that they’ve termed a “counter-current heat exchange:” when a paw is cooled by contact with frozen ground, warmth from the arteries in the paw is transferred to the vessels in the paws which helps to keep the paw at a tolerable temperature. Of course, pads contain a lot of fatty tissue, which doesn’t freeze as easily as other kinds of tissue. In addition, the special blood vessels in the pads warm the blood before it flows back to the body – thus helping keep the dog’s body temperature from falling uncomfortably low.
Even though systems like this are seen in other animals, including penguins and foxes, many doggy people vehemently disagree with the thought that all dogs are cold-weather proof, and we too, have seen many dogs unhappily affected by the cold. Which brings us to our main point: take care of those little puppy paws in the winter months!
Here are got some easy tips for you to ensure that everyone is comfortable, even when the snow is blowing and the wind chill is dropping.
- Trim the hair between the pads and around the feet to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. Too much extra hair can retain moisture and lead to freezing which increases the chance of frostbite.
- After walks, use a basin of warm water and use wipes to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, ensuring that your pet’s feet are washed and dried to remove ice, salt and chemicals will help make sure they stay comfortable and dry.
- Check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes, and if you see signs of irritation or dryness, massage in a little some treatment paw balm to soothe those toes. Just as with human skin, moisturizing after a walk through the ice and snow will always help prevent chapped paws. Best not to use petroleum jelly or other potentially toxic-when-ingested lubricating agents, as dogs like to lick their paws!
- Booties help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes and pads, causing irritation. Although you may want to smile every time you see a dog wearing little booties, dog paw covers for snow are no laughing matter. Doggy snow boots can protect your dog's paws against getting frostbite, drying out, and coming in contact with chemicals. Dog boots also provide your pet with better traction in slippery conditions. When choosing your dog's snow boots, make sure that they are secure enough to stay on, but are loose enough not to constrict blood flow to extremities.
- Make sure to use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible, even though you can’t control what your neighbours or your council uses on pavements and streets.
- And remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your dog. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months. During the cold winter months, try to limit the amount of time your dog spends outside.
Despite the fact that many dogs enjoy frolicking in the snow and playing in the cold weather, too much time outdoors and exposure to the elements can be dangerous, or even deadly. Many people assume a dog's fur will naturally keep them warm during the winter, but they are still susceptible to frostbite and hyperthermia especially on their paws and other exposed skin. A good rule of thumb is that as long as your dog is running and playing in the snow, it is fine to remain outdoors, but as soon as they stop, you should think about heading inside.
Article by Earthbath Natural Pet Care
