Dogs and Snow
First up here’s a video of my dogs in the snow!!
Due to the recent very snowy weather we thought it was a perfect time to write about dogs and snow! I personally love taking my dogs for walks in the snow, especially when its deep snow and my little Jack Russell has to bound around
just to stay above the snow! Although if it’s that deep I usually just let her in the garden, she seems to love it and looks hilarious!! (Note to self: get a video of Lily jumping around in snow). Dogs and snow just seem to go together don’t they? They seem to love bouncing around in it and catching a snowball then looking confused as if to say “heyyyy, where’d the snowball go!??” Our usual dog walks look beautiful and almost unrecognisable to us so imagine what dogs must be thinking. But one question that puzzles me is how come dogs don’t mind the freezing snow on the paws.
Dogs and snow and dog paws
I’ve done a bit of detective work and found some research which explains why dogs aren’t bothered by snow on their paws.
This snippet from Time explains all:
‘Dogs’ paws, which lack the warm coverings on the rest of their bodies, have an intricate heat transfer system built in that immediately warms cold blood. Couple that system with a high amount of freeze-resistant connective tissue and fat located in the pads of the paw, and a dog’s paw rivals that of a penguin’s wing for the ability to stay warm in crazy-cold climates.’
For the full article follow this link.
Although saying that, dogs paws can get damaged from icy, snowy conditions. Snow and ice can get trapped in between dogs paws causing them to potentially get cuts. It is advisable to check your dogs paws after a walk in the snow, if you do notice a lot of trapped snow it may be best to leave it to melt as pulling on it could cause your dog distress. If it does look particularly bad and you are concerned as I’m sure you would do anyway, seek your vets opinion.
Another worry in the winter weather is the amount of grit and antifreeze used in snowy and icy conditions. If dogs lick these substances off their paws it could be fatal. This snippet from the Mail Online in 2010 explains more:
‘Dogs and cats are walking through the substances left by gritters trying to clear roads and car drivers defrosting their windscreens and then licking them off their paws. Consuming rock salt can cause dehydration, liver failure and pancreatitis, while antifreeze contains the chemical ethylene glycol, which can be lethal when ingested.’
To read the full article follow this link.
I hope this hasn’t upset of scared anyone but if you’re aware of the dangers that come with snowy weather you have the best chance of making sure your animals can enjoy the weather and stay safe.
What you can do
If you are particularly worried there are some products you can buy including.
Mushers Secret Paw Protection this is the link 
You can apply this wax to protect dogs paws from all sorts of weather conditions it has received excellent reviews. It acts sort of as a barrier between the dogs paws and any harsh ground.
Medium Pawz All Weather Dog Boot
Or maybe you would like to try a dog boot! This next product is a disposable/reusable/
biodegradable/amazingable inexpensive dog boot which has gained great reviews. They boot allows the dog to feel the ground but is waterproof, stays on and is easy to slip on and off. You get 12 boots in a pack for £14. 58.
Now the problem me and my dear mum have when walking the dogs in snow is they may get a bit excited and pull us, if it’s slippy then that is not good. So my mum found this product you can slip over your own boots to make them extra
grippy in bad weather. These ones are priced from £2.49 upwards, bargain. So if you’re worried you might go over
in the snow, give these a go (oooh that rhymed! ).
I hope you’ve found this informative and useful! Please send us any pics of your dogs in the snow, we would love to see them!!
Thanks for all the info. Now if I could just get enough snow to have fun in.
No problem, hope you enjoyed it