We all know that regular exercise is as important for our dogs as it is for ourselves. Healthy weight, blood pressure, and mental stimulation are needed year-round, but can be especially difficult to maintain in cold weather, and winter is coming.
To get the most out of your walk and run times, here are a few tips to keep your dog’s paws clean and healthy:
- Keep their nails trimmed: Slush and snow can get caught on your dog’s nails, just like they stick to the tread of your shoes and boots. If you are worried about doing the job yourself, a quick trip to your dog’s groomer once every other month is relatively inexpensive.
- Check paws before you go: Take a look for a missed bit of food, anything. Even a single crumb in the wrong place can make a leisurely walk into a painful experience for your dog.
- Buy some foot covers: Yes, a lot of owners think they look ridiculous, but they can be helpful if your dog will wear them. While it’s an easy thing to pick up your terrier, dachshund, or miniature poodle out of the slush, lifting Scooby-Doo (he’s a Great Dane, remember) is a non-starter for most people.
- Check paws immediately after coming home: Snow melts quickly, but ice and slush can hang around for quite a while. There is also the road salt and sand used to keep streets clear. These will irritate and rub sores on your dog’s paws if not quickly cleaned off after every walk.
- Foot rubs are great: It doesn’t have to take long, but a short rubdown feels good to every dog and is a superb way to make sore paws feel better. Make them a part of every paw check when you return home after a walk, regardless of the season.
Finally, while soggy paws pick up more dust, dirt, and everything else, if the pads get too dry, they can crack, causing irritation and pain. If you’ve noticed this, call your vet. There are ointments you can use on your dog’s paws created just for her. Yes, the cone of shame is humiliating, but it’s worth it to keep your dog healthy and ready to run over the river and through the woods.
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