Zwei Hunde spielen im fallenden Schnee auf einer weißen Winterfläche von Liebesgut Tiernahrung

Dog owners beware: road salt and the like are torture for dogs' paws!

Even in winter, dogs want to get out into the fresh air and go for a walk. When the sun is shining and the rays glisten on the snow, this can be a real pleasure for both humans and animals. However, as soon as it starts to freeze, our four-legged friends face new dangers on their paws: Road salt, grit and sharp-edged ice!

Our tips against sore paws in the cold season:

Road salt and/or chippings are used in urban areas in particular. For reasons of environmental protection, the use of road salt against icy roads by private individuals is prohibited in many cities and municipalities. However, this regulation often ceases to apply in the event of black ice, for example. Furthermore, local authorities themselves use vast quantities of salt and grit to keep roads safe. In Bavaria alone, the gritting services spread a total of 350,000 tonnes of salt and almost 100 million litres of brine. Each of the gritting agents used is harmful to dogs' paws, and the combination of salt and grit is particularly damaging.

When does it become dangerous in winter? Several factors play a role here, some of which reinforce each other:

Paws react more sensitively than in summer, as the change from room temperature to outside temperature puts a lot of strain on the skin.
Grit, sharp-edged ice, generally hard, frozen ground: there are dangers lurking everywhere that can cause minor or major injuries to the pads or the sensitive spaces between the toes.
The brine can penetrate these injuries, which further irritates the wound and is very painful. It is not for nothing that the saying "pour salt into the wound" exists. This also slows down wound healing.
The skin between the toes is particularly sensitive. Even without injuries, the salt irritates these areas and leads to sores.
The salt removes moisture from the affected areas, making the paws more brittle and more susceptible to injury. In addition, heated rooms with dry air can lead to dry skin and additional itching in our dogs, just like in us humans.
Dogs start to lick and nibble at their paws, which can aggravate the inflammation.
The salt is also absorbed into the stomach through licking, which leads to digestive problems.

You can recognise that your dog is affected by the following signs:

The paws are partially inflamed between the toes
The paw pads show deeper cracks
Sore spots on the paws
The animal dawdles when going for a walk
Sudden stopping on the way
Extensive paw licking after the walk
Limping
Salt-encrusted paws

If the symptoms are not treated or only treated inadequately, this can lead to a visit to the vet in the worst case. Your pet will also lose all interest in play and exercise. It is best to prevent possible injuries and take action before the first signs of wounds appear.

If possible, organise the walking route so that areas where salting is common are avoided. In traffic-calmed zones, for example, there is less risk of local authorities salting in addition to clearing snow and private individuals are generally not permitted to do so anyway. Avoid main roads, inclines, areas with many steps or arched bridges, for example. Exceptions often apply here and salt is spread intensively.

Dog paw structure

A dog's paw consists of four to five toes, each with a claw. Underneath are pads that serve as cushioning. However, these are only present on four claws. A sole pad in the centre absorbs most of the body weight.

Callus on the dog's paws

As protection against rough and hard surfaces, the pads have a thick layer of callus. This is not a problem, but normal and necessary.

However, there is a risk if the callus tears. It should therefore be moisturised if necessary.

Tip: An excess of vitamin A can make the skin on the pads softer and therefore more susceptible.

Dog paws: Care

Proper care of your dog's paws can prevent problems. But what should this look like? The following steps show how:

1. check: foreign bodies, redness or even oozing wounds should be treated at an early stage. A daily check of the pads and spaces is therefore essential.

2. regular cleaning: As described above, in many neighbourhoods the road and pavements are covered with road salt or gravel in winter to prevent black ice. However, this is very painful for dogs' paws. In addition, the pads are often cracked and dry due to the cold. It is therefore important to wash the paws thoroughly if they have come into contact with road salt.

3. clipping: Long-haired breeds often have equally long fur between the pads. This means that more dirt can become trapped during the season and awns and thistles also pose a greater risk as they are more difficult to recognise. On the other hand, cleaning is much more time-consuming and wounds are less noticeable.

4. moisturising: Treating the paws with special bale ointment, e.g. milking fat, provides protection and care at the same time. This prevents the salt from acting directly on the skin and the ointment moisturises it to keep it supple. Products for dogs should be used here. Care products for humans may be toxic for your pet, as the ointments are often licked off. Most dogs enjoy it when the ointment is massaged in a little.

Of course, ointments don't help much against grit. If a lot of grit is scattered on the route, dog socks or dog shoes can help. These prevent direct contact with the ground and thus avoid injuries. When buying them, make sure they fit well and that they have an anti-slip system, as the claws lose their effect as spikes. A side effect is that the paws are also kept warm.

For long-haired breeds, it is important to trim the hair between the claws. Otherwise, lumps of ice can form on the long hairs, which rub repeatedly between the claws and cause the skin to become sore. It also makes sense to pay more attention to the claws in winter and to trim them. But not too much, if your pet is walking "barefoot" the claws are important to prevent slipping on the ice.

Once the walk is over, your pet's paws should be inspected immediately. Gravel and lumps of ice can get stuck between the claws and pads and should be removed immediately. The foreign bodies would irritate the skin through friction. Then wash the paws and the lower part of the legs with lukewarm water to remove the salt. The water should not be too warm, as a high temperature difference between the paw and the water could be painful. Then rub everything dry with towels and check for possible injuries. As a final step, treat the paws again lightly with ointment.

Dog paw cleaner for large four-legged friends

Cleaning dogs' paws can be particularly difficult for larger breeds, as they are not so easy to lift into the bath or shower. However, rinsing your four-legged friend with the garden hose in the middle of winter or in rainy autumn is often not an option either.

A dog paw cleaner can be a wonderful solution here. This is a container whose inner wall is lined with a studded mat. It is then filled with water and the dog's paw is inserted into it. The dirt is effectively removed by moving it up and down.

Important: If injuries to the paws are recognisable, you should no longer take your pet out without dog shoes. If the wounds do not improve over time or if the dog refuses to walk, you should definitely consult a vet.

We hope that no animal ever gets this far and wish you all a good winter!

You should definitely try out our organic wet food menus for inner strength - this way, dogs and humans can get through the dark season with healthy enjoyment!

FAQs

Why do dogs scratch with their paws?

There are several reasons for this behaviour. Firstly, they use it to mark their territory. Secondly, the ground is "flattened" and other animals are driven away. Of course, this doesn't make sense in a dog bed or on the sofa, but the instinct is still there.

Do dogs burn their paws?

Yes, this can happen very quickly. So if you walk your dog on asphalt or stones in summer, you're not doing your pet any favours. In fact, it is painful torture. Earth or grass are better, as they don't heat up so quickly. Protective footwear and shade are also advisable.

What types of dog paw injuries are there?

The list includes numerous possibilities. These include

- cuts

- Thorns or awns that have been kicked in

- burns

- inflammations

- ulcers

- Insect bites or stings

Dog nibbling on paws - why, what can I do?

This is often due to itching. Parasites, such as mites, but also allergies can be responsible. Other possible causes are food intolerances, road salt and foreign bodies that have been ingested.

The paws should therefore be examined carefully to find the underlying problem!

What should I do if my dog is constantly licking his paw?

The reasons for this are the same as for paw nibbling. However, it may also be an obsessive-compulsive disorder or the dog is trying to relieve stress.

What should dogs' paws look like?

The pads should be smooth, clean and dry. Soft spots or whitening can be warning signs. The same applies to dampness and red patches.

Are grass mites on a dog's paws dangerous?

Grass mites cause considerable itching through their bites and can cause swelling and pain. Allergic or sensitive dogs in particular therefore suffer considerably from such an infestation.

What can happen if a dog's paws are not groomed?

The dog can only walk with pain, "dawdle" on walks and necrosis can even occur. This means that pads may have to be amputated.

Which dogs need special paw care?

Dogs with allergies should always receive special and regular paw care. This also makes sense in the case of heavy use. This is the case, for example, if the dog walks a lot on hard surfaces, has allergies or tends to lick constantly.