Protecting Your Dog's Feet During the Winter

Living in an urban area, protecting your dog's feet during the colder months becomes an issue simply because so many shop owners and buildings put out salt on the street. If you weren't already aware, the salt that's laid out all over sidewalks can do a whole lot of damage.

First, lime rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate and dry out your the pads of your dog's feet, causing them to crack and become infected. (Salt—as well as antifreeze from cars—can even cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked.) Secondly, small balls of ice can also form in the sensitive spaces between a dog's toes and pads. So, as a rule, it's a good idea to wipe your dog's feet clean with a paper towel saturated with warm water as soon as you get back into your house or apartment. But if you want to be even more careful, below are a few more options:

Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax
Activedogs.com
$11.99-$27.99
I have used this many times on my dog, and it is amazing. Developed in Canada for sledding dogs, this wax forms a barrier to protect the pads of your dog's feet. It's made from 100% natural (and safe) waxes, and it guards the feet from ice build-up, salt, and chemicals. You simply spread a thin later on your dog's pads before going outside. Just think of it as heavy-duty Chap Stick or Aquaphor.

Muttlucks Dog Boots
Drs Foster and Smith
$44.99-$52.99
These are probably the most popular dog booties on the market, and they promise to keep your dog's feet dry and warm. They're made with heavy-duty leather soles; they're fleece-lined; and they Velcro around the dog's ankle. They may take some getting used to (for both you and your dog), but they're worth it especially if you live in a cold, snowy climate. (Riley even had a pair...until she ate them.)

Pawz Rubber Dog Boots
Metropawlis Pet Boutique
$15.00
Also quite popular, these rubber boots are inexpensive, reusable, biodegradeable, and easy to put on because there are no straps. They are made in a variety of bright colors and sizes, and they come with 12 in a package. Pawz are not the most aesthetically pleasing dog footwear around, but they definitely do the job.

Neoprene Dog Booties
L.L. Bean
$39.00
Similar to Muttluks—although more like a durable sock—these are made of flexible neoprene and come in both orange and black.

Bark'n Boots Grip Trex
Ruffwear
$59.95
For the hardcore canine athlete, these are great for runs in snowy climates. According to the company, they have "an upper inspired by human shoes, and a high performance Vibram® sole."