Booties

If you live in a location with extreme weather conditions, consider protecting your dog’s sensitive feet with some type of a foot covering such as booties or rubberized pet sleeves.  These will provide your dog with a rubberized waterproof bottom surface and a soft yet clingy upper surface.   They vary and range in strength, practically, price and availability.

Even the best quality booties will not typically last more than one season.  As soon as you notice the surface breaking down or the stitching breaking up, they will no longer be waterproof and will hold the cold water, salt and ice against your dog’s feet.

Booties and pet sleeves can also be used in hot location.  Concrete can quickly reach temps of over 150 degrees.  This can burn your dog’s delicate pads, not only causing pain but potentially second degree burns.  These are especially difficult injuries to manage since the dog will typically chew on skin or areas that are itchy or hurting.  In order to test concrete place the back of your hand on the hot surface and if you cannot leave your hand there for ten seconds without having to move it quickly, it is probably too hot for your pet’s feet as well.

Cold weather can present its own list of issues ranging from ice between the toes, road salt (which can burn the dog’s feet), stones, and debris.

When you return from your walk or hike, take a warm washcloth and use mild soap and water to remove any salt or other substances from your dog’s fur.  Remember that although his feet and legs may be protected from the road salt and winter gunk his underside will not.  Dogs will want to lick their fur to clean and in doing so may ingest dangerous.  This can cause short and long term health issues and lead to toxicity.  Signs of toxicity include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, loose stool or diarrhea, listlessness.