Dog Paw Protection in Winter: Ice, Salt, and Care

Several things can go wrong when a dog walks on cold, salted, or icy surfaces. Cornell veterinarians note that paws can get cracks or cuts from ice and salt on the roads¹. The dry indoor air combined with cold outdoor air makes cracking worse⁴. Road salt, primarily sodium chloride, can cause dryness and irritation on contact⁵. The American Kennel Club adds that city streets are coated with deicing substances such as sodium chloride (rock salt) and calcium chloride, and that these substances can damage paw pads³.

Snow can also pack between the toes and form ice balls. As the AKC paw-care guide explains, snow quickly turns to balls of ice between the pads of your dog's feet⁴. These ice balls are uncomfortable and can lead to injury when dogs try to pull them out.

In prolonged cold, frostbite is possible. Cornell notes that ears, paws and tail tips are most commonly affected¹. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that frostbite typically affects body regions that are poorly insulated, including the tips of the ears, feet, and tail².

Cornell lists several behaviors that mean a dog is not tolerating cold weather¹:

• Shivering
• Whining or barking
• Tail tucking or hunched posture
• Lifting paws off the ground
• Reluctance to walk
• Suddenly anxious behavior

If you notice any of these, Cornell advises moving your dog into a warm and dry area¹.

For paw-specific signs, check for cracks, cuts, or redness on the pads; dryness or peeling; limping or favoring a paw; and excessive licking of the paws, which may mean salt residue or irritation. Discoloration, such as pale or red skin on the pads or between the toes, can signal frostbite and needs prompt attention.

Some dogs are at higher risk. Cornell notes that small-sized dogs have a harder time staying warm compared to larger breeds and that puppies cannot properly regulate their body temperature¹. AKC adds that very young and very old dogs have a hard time regulating body temperature³. Short and thinly-coated breeds also tolerate cold less well than thick, double-coated breeds¹.

The most direct protection is a pair of well-fitting booties. Cornell recommends that owners train your dog to wear well-fitting booties to protect their paws¹. It takes patience and positive reinforcement, but most dogs adapt.

For dogs that will not wear booties, a paw balm or petroleum jelly is a practical alternative. Cornell states that applying certain balms or petroleum jelly to paw pads may help prevent and alleviate cracking paw pads¹. Apply the balm before going outside so it acts as a barrier between the pad and the salt or ice.

Long-haired dogs benefit from trimming the hair between their pads. AKC recommends cutting the hair so that it is even with the surface of the foot to help prevent snowballs from forming³. The AKC paw-care guide adds that owners can have a professional carefully trim the hair between the dog's pads⁴.

Both Cornell and the Merck Veterinary Manual stress wiping or washing paws after every winter walk. Cornell advises owners to wipe or wash paws to remove salt, de-icers or snowballs after returning inside¹. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that owners should always wipe their pets' paws after walks, particularly in the winter².

AKC recommends using warm water and making sure to reach spots between the toes and pads³. The AKC paw-care guide notes that salt and dirt can accumulate between your dog's toes, around and between their pads, and underneath the nail, leading to irritation⁴. Gently part the toes as you clean and dry thoroughly afterward.

This is also a good time to check for cuts, scrapes, or cracking. AKC points out that icy conditions can also lead to cuts and scrapes⁴. A soothing paw balm or protective paw wax after cleaning can help keep pads conditioned through the winter⁴.

Dogs often lick salt off their paws after walks. Pet Poison Helpline explains that the most common way they get exposed is by getting it on their paws during walks, and then grooming it off⁵. Small amounts usually do not cause serious problems, but the Merck Veterinary Manual warns that salt used to melt ice on walkways can poison dogs, who may lick it off their paws after a walk².

Signs of salt poisoning include vomiting within several hours of ingestion that can progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and seizures². Pet Poison Helpline adds that a dog that ingests a large amount could develop salt toxicity, which can cause tremors, and that medical attention is required⁵.

Cornell also warns that salt and other de-icers used on the roads can irritate paws, and if ingested, cause ulcerations or irritation to the mouth and digestive tract¹. Keeping your dog on a leash and away from salt piles reduces the chance of direct ingestion⁵.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Cracks or cuts on the pads that do not improve or appear infected
• Limping that lasts more than a day
• Signs of frostbite, such as pale, swollen, or painful skin on the paws or ear tips¹²
• Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or unusual weakness after a walk, which could mean salt or antifreeze ingestion²

The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that frostbitten skin may be pale or red, swollen, and painful and that treatment requires rapid, gentle warming (with warm, but not hot water) and supportive care². Cornell advises that if you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, they should be seen by a veterinarian immediately¹.

Do not try to treat frostbite at home beyond keeping your dog warm on the way to the clinic. Rubbing or massaging frostbitten tissue can cause further damage.