Salt: Good for De-icing, Bad for Paws
The salt trucks are already out in full force to beat the icey roads and walkways. While maintaining pedestrian and road safety, de-icing can be brutal on our dog’s paw pads. The toxic chemicals used can cause your dog’s paws to dry out, crack and even lead to chemical burns.
Here are a few ways to keep your pup happy and healthy:
- Avoid the salty sidewalk wherever possible, try to stick to grassy areas.
- Keep a shallow bowl of warm water and a cloth near the entrance to your home so that you can wipe his paws when coming back inside.
- Keep inter-pad hair neatly trimmed and short to avoid retaining those nasty chemicals.
- Keep nails trimmed, as long nails force the paw to splay out and make it more likely that snow and ice will accumulate between the paw pads.
- Try to stick to frequent short walks rather than a single long walk.
- Treat your dog’s paws with a balm before and after walks to prevent them drying out.
- Use dog booties, train your dog to walk in them and if suited, this will avoid contact with the de-icing products altogether.
Keep these tips in mind and have a pawesome winter! Book now at pawkee.com for dog walks, pet sitting, grooming, pet products and more!