With the melt and freeze cycle, the snow turns to ice and the dogs’ paws need attention. Sand, salt, and ice melt are everywhere, and some dogs’ feet are sensitive to these products. Ice melt with rock salt, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride can cause dry pads. Your dog may lick its pads and ingest the salt. Also, dogs can tear their pads while running on snow that is now sharp ice.
Here are some suggestions to protect your dog’s paws:
- Wipe your dog’s feet after walks or dip his feet into a bowl of water and dry them.
- Use Musher’s Secret to protect her feet. It creates a barrier from the cold, heat (we can only dream of hot sidewalks in the northern climates), and chemicals. Available online and at stores.
- Use booties. While visiting a friend in New York City, I experienced Pawz Dog Boots with her Afghan. The boots are rubber, disposable, reusable, and waterproof. The boots look like brightly colored balloons and are colored according to size. The boots are great for puddles, ice, and all sorts of pavements. If your local store is out of them, the boots are available online.
- Review the Animal Bridges blog on helping dogs adjust to booties.
With the thaw-freeze cycle, sidewalks and streets can be treacherous. I found cleats strapped on my shoes were noisy on bare pavement. I really like Yaktrax’s Walker made steel coils and plastic that slips on any flat shoe. They are quiet and lightweight. Yaktrax are available at your local stores or online.
What suggestions do you have for walking in during the winter/spring thaw?
- Does your pet have pain or act scared sometimes?
- Ever wish you could tell her something she would understand?
- Wish you knew what he was thinking?
Every people/pet team has unique needs. Often, a combination of approaches will serve both the client and the pet best. It really depends on each individual animal and person’s needs. All methods are gentle and loving.
Each session is as unique as your pet and each session with your pet can be unique from her previous sessions.
It’s easy to set up your sessions, just contact me here or call me at 612-237-9580. I’m happy to help you explore the options and find the best solution for your unique situation.
“Elaine has been very helpful and supportive since my adoption of a very anxious dog. Her t-touch sessions and ongoing communication has helped us both. She has great suggestions and is very responsive to my frantic calls.” – Lynnea Forness, Minneapolis, MN
Loving your website! I hope that you continue to print good posts like this in the future so people like myself can adore it! I absolutely will be coming back to discover more.