Removing Snow from Paws

by Kat Lea ©2004
Digital Image by Mike ©2004 MostlyCrafts.com

The snow is falling and the furkids are eager to go frollicking in the cold carpet of powder outside. They thoroughly enjoy prancing, jumping and rolling around in the freshly fallen snow. However, once back in the house two of them are almost covered in clinging snowballs. Not usually a problem for pet owners of short or wired haired breeds, but those of us with pets that have any amount of fur length will be cringing. These snowballs attach to fur as though they have been glued.

Here are some quick tips which may help:

Trim Paws & Leg Hair - Consider keeping the paw & leg hair neatly trimmed close to the skin. Don't forget the fur in the areas on and between the paw's pads.

Blow Dryer -Set the hair dryer to a Low Warm setting. Do NOT use the Hottest Setting as this may burn or irritate your pet's skin.

Tepid Water - Not my number one choice as your pet still needs to be dried afterwards, however, it is an option. Do NOT use HOT water as this may burn or irritate your pet's skin.

Petroleum jelly or intensive care lotion - Applied to the paws prior to heading outside. Wipe off the excess to prevent tracking it on your flooring. This helps to prevent the snow from sticking and also serves to prevent cracks on the surface of the paws. These surface cracks can be caused by dry skin, snow/ice irritation or frostbite.

Booties - Make sure they fit properly. They should be snug enough to stay on your pet's paw, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. There are various types of booties made for snow protection, those made of neoprene will work effectively.

Nonstick cooking spray - Sprayed on the paws prior to heading outside. It has been reported to prevent snow from sticking.

Cold Weather Paw Safety Notes:

Ice Melting Chemicals - The chemicals used to melt ice can be bad news for your pet's paws. These chemicals can cause paw pad irritation, dryness, and cracking. Additionally, the irritation may cause your dog to ingest the chemicals when attempting to lick the paws to sooth or clean them. Ingestion of these chemicals can cause stomach and intestinal irritation. If your pooch has walked through areas that have been treated with ice melt chemicals you will want to use tepid water or a damp warm towel to clean the paws.

Frostbite - Pets can get frostbite too. Signs of frostbite are: Discoloration of the skin, this may be hard to detect under your pets hair. The skin may blister or turn pink and then a whitish color, it may even turn blue in color, when affected. Thawing can cause this skin to turn a bright red or black color. Your pet may have trouble walking or show signs of discomfort. If you suspect frostbite has occurred remove any ice and snow from the paws and take your pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels that are changed frequently and Contact your vet immediately, he/she will probably want to evaluate the seriousness of the condition.

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