is safe for a dog's feet? We just had a (mild, so far) ice storm, and I've been walking Kodee in it. I wanted to know how long is it safe for a dog to walk in ice/snow w/out any kind of boots? (or should I just watch him for cues that his feet are bothering him?) We're due to get more ice tonight, so this may be a few days. (Kodee is a housedog, BTW, so he's only out in it while I'm walking him).

Thanks!

I use musher's wax if it's really icy, or if the snow is especially crusty. I would also keep an eye on the pads to look for cuts or abrasions, but I personally haven't had any trouble just from snow or ice. Most of the time my biggest concern is salt, so I wash my guy's paws when he comes indoors. I only use boots if my dog has a cracked or cut pad. My dog is primarily an indoor dog too, but we walk and train in all sorts of sketchy weather and so far, so good.

Snow is not a big deal it is the chemicals we use to melt it. Many de-icing and ice-melting products are toxic. I'd consider keeping a container of warm water or a bevy of wet cloths by the door for use after walks if your municipality uses chemicals to melt snow. If they do it is good to rinse the paws before you wipe them dry, because rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate the foot pads and cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked.

As for signs that his feet are bothering him limps and holding up one paw etc are good indications. Though holding up the paw could be just from the newness of the snow and not a indication of impending puppy doom.

Kodee looks like a furball so he might be prone to getting iceballs in between his toes. Once iceballs form, they are painful, probably like walking on small rocks for the dog. To help prevent iceballs, you could trim hair around your dog's feet. Or even apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray before your walk in a pinch.

I use Invisible boot and Mushers secret and I understand that you can even use beeswax. Using a paw protector cream like the invisible boot or mushers secret protects against iceballs and as well as chemicals and is non toxic to a dog if they decide to lick it.

Enjoy the snow!!

 Quote: Geoff Empey

Enjoy the snow!!

Dude, this ain't snow! Here in Kansas it seems like it is either 70* or an icestorm in the winter time!

I am really glad you mentioned the chemicals in the ice melt, Geoff. At the apartment I live in, they put down some ice melt, and I could tell Bella was really interested in it. She wanted to smell the sidewalk way more than normal. I will keep an eye on her and keep her from ingesting this stuff!

Some friends use a little vaseline on their dogs pads (hunting dogs) for protection and moisturizing. These dogs see harse conditions.

Rick I live in the rustbelt as they call it and it is sickening the amount of salt they can put on roads and sidewalks. The salt and other anti-icers really plays havoc on dog's feet. When it is -20 and you see a puddle that your dog has to walk through you know it is pure salt water and colder than any ice or snow that it may have to traverse. That is worse case scenario though.

For the most part I just make sure the dog runs through some fresh snow in the backyard and that takes care of any big clods of salt on her feet. Plus the invisible boot/mushers secret I use helps repel the chemicals too.

At home I do not use de-icers either. Not only is it hard on dogs it is hard on your property as well (rots cement and fixtures) I scrape down to the surface with the snow-blower then use my leaf blower to clear off the steps, and let the sun take care of it where possible and then sprinkle ash from the fireplace or sand grit elsewhere.

You should ask your property manager to use sand grit instead of the de-icer. It is cheaper too!

In the winter Tuckers paws can sometimes get cut when we play fetch in the park. But only if its not the soft fluffy snow but snow with a layer of freezing rain/Ice on it then it poses a problem because as he skids in to retreive the ball, his pads scrape along the ice, which can be quite sharp.
I tried the boots and he just wouldn't have it. Even after wearing them for 2 weeks he just wouldn't do anything in them except walk, and that just isn't enough exercise for him.
I had luck with the invisible boot/mushers secret. It does help with the scrapes from any ice on the ground and works well at repelling the salt on his pads too!