I’ve written about keeping dogs warm in the winter and about buying a sweater for your dog, but I haven’t written about one of the most important things, keeping your dogs paws warm and snow free when walking in the snow. Here are some things to consider:
- Dog booties. We have tried a lot of different types and a lot of different brands. The ones that stay on the best are ones we bought were flourescent orange hunting ones we bought at Cabelas. (We used them not just for hiking in the snow but for also covering injured paws that we didn’t want the dog to chew on. That worked until Chase chewed through one …) Some booties are just for warmth and some also have traction. The higher up on the leg they come, the more likely they will stay on.
- Medical tape. This is my favorite. I just wrap medical tape around their paws. This works really well when it’s not too cold but you have a dog with long hair that is always catching snow and forming icicles between her toes.
- Trim the hair. You can trim the hair between the main center pad and the toes, but not between the toes. This will help cut down on icicles. If your dog does get snow balls, let them melt, don’t try to pull them off or cut them off. (I ended up cutting my dog trying to do that on one snowshoeing trip.)
- Vaseline can help sooth paws already irritated by the snow and it can also help prevent snow build up if you put it on before you go out.
Any other tips to share with us?
Photo by nuanc.
This kitten is sitting on the slipper to stay warm – the floor is cold. The picture reminded me of snowshoeing with my dog Teddy. Whenever we stop for a break she sits on the back of my snowshoes to get off the snow.
Picture by Farl.
Ever wondered how your dog can hang out with you in your 70 degree house and then run out into the snow and not seem to be bothered at all? To understand this, we need to look at how dogs stay warm and cool. (And how I wish I could do the same!)
Stay cool is simple. Dogs cool off in a few basic ways:
- They expel heat by panting.
- They lose heat by sweating through their paws.
- Staying cool by getting wet. (One of my dogs that hates to swim will wade in and sit and then rock back and forth to get as much of herself wet as possible without actually swimming!)
- They seek cooler places to hang out like cool grass, the shade, a whole dug in the dirt to find the cool dirt underneath.
- Shedding fur.
Staying warm takes more. Dogs stay warm by:
- Growing more fur when it’s cold.
- Converting their food into heat.
- A lot of the food dogs eat during cold weather is used to maintain their body temperature.
- The mass to surface area ration determines how hard it is to keep
warm. So large dogs that have a large mass relative to their surface
area require less energy (for their size) than small dogs to keep warm.
- Feed your dog more if they are out a lot when it’s cold. (If they are inside a lot when it’s cold they may need less food as they are less active!)
- In general, your dogs should be inside if it’s freezing outside.
- If you do leave them outside for any reason, even a short while, make sure they have water by putting out warm water regularly or investing in a self heating water dish. Eating snow is not a good alternative – it takes energy to warm up snow and it takes a lot of snow to quench a dog’s thirst!
- Get a really warm (and cheap) sweater for your dog.
- Dogs can get frostbite especially on their ears, tails and paws. The area will look pale and feel cold. Don’t rub it! And don’t let your dog scratch it. Call your vet immediately.
- Wash your dogs feet in the winter if you’ve been walking where the roads have chemicals on them.
And don’t forget to have fun with your dog in the winter! Walking, snowshoeing, and just romping in the snow is fun. My neighbor’s dog loves to try to catch the snow as she throws shovelfuls into the air!
