Cracked And Irritated Paws In Dogs During Winter

Along with many other problems like dry and itchy skin, frostbites, hypothermia cracked paws are also one of the most common problems in dogs.

Winter is a time of year when we all want to keep our dogs healthy and safe.

One easy way to do that is by giving them good paw pads, which will help prevent cracked paws and irritation.

If your dog’s paws are chapped or dry, you may notice some irritation on their skin or even bleeding.

This is caused by snow sticking to their fur in between the pads. This forms ice balls that cut into the pad if they aren’t cleaned off properly before going out again.

Luckily there are many ways to keep your dog’s paws healthy during wintertime!

Cause/Reason 

• The salt and chemicals used on snow and ice melt can irritate the paws.

Salt, chemicals, and snow can irritate your dog’s paws. Salt is a mineral that’s naturally found in the earth and sometimes added to roads as a de-icer. This leads to cracked paws when comes in contact with dogs paws.

It can also be used in many products like detergent, laundry detergent, toothpaste, and deodorant.

The salt from these products gets onto your dog’s paws when he walks through wet or snowy areas where there are high levels of sodium chloride (salt) in the soil or snowpack.

When this happens regularly over time, it causes dryness and cracking of the paw pads which leads to infection or inflammation due to increased friction between them on uneven surfaces (like pavement).

• Your dog may try to lick off the chemicals or ice melt, causing them to swallow harmful substances.

Dogs can get sick from chemicals in ice melt, which is why you should always keep your dog’s paws away from it.

Your dog may try to lick off the chemicals or ice melt, causing them to swallow harmful substances.

If this happens, your dog might have an obstruction or blockage of the intestines that could cause serious complications like vomiting blood or abdominal pain.

• Snow sticks to fur in between paw pads, forming a snowball of ice.

Snow sticks to fur in between paw pads, forming a snowball of ice.

This can cause irritation and cracked pads, which leads to bleeding.

Check Paws Regularly

Necessary action for cracked paws

The first thing to remember is that if dog paws are not cleaned off properly, salt crystals may cut into the pad. Salt crystals are sharp and can cut into your dog’s paw pads. The salt can cause an infection and even bacterial infections in some cases.

• Cleaning up after your dog’s paws.

Make sure that you clean up any dried blood or other fluids from their feet daily by wiping them with a damp cloth or towel before they go outside again; then give them some extra love while they’re indoors!

To save your dog from cracked paws always remember to clean their paws once they are back home.

• Keep your dogs paw pads healthy by drying them after every walk and applying petroleum jelly or dog’s paw cream if they’re cracked or dry.

Dog’s paw cream (Musher’s Secret) can be used to keep your dog’s paw pads moist and healthy.

Besides this, petroleum jelly is a safe alternative to other products that may be harmful if applied topically.

Apply petroleum jelly to cracked or dry paw pads, as it will help prevent snow from sticking to the pad, which can lead to further irritation and cracking.

This will save your dog from cracked and chapped paws.

Reach the pet helpline or low-cost pet vet for advice and guidance.

Prevention

• Make them wear comfortable boots

It will protect dogs paws from ice and chemicals.

• Apply dog paws cream and lotion in winter

This will protect your furry friend’s feet from dryness.

Conclusion

Hence, the snowballs, dryness, and chemicals lead to cracked and chapped paws in dogs.

Besides this, don’t forget that you must take care of your dog’s paws by drying them after every walk or playtime.

If they’re cracked or dry, apply petroleum jelly or dogs paw cream to help heal the skin and stop irritation.