How do I care for my dog's paw pads in winter?

Road salt and chemical de-icers can dry out and irritate paw pads with repeated exposure, and dogs often lick their paws afterward, which means swallowing whatever was picked up along the way. A quick rinse or wipe with a damp cloth right after coming inside removes most of this before it causes irritation or gets licked off.

Snow packed between the toes can melt slightly from body heat and refreeze into small, hard ice balls that press uncomfortably against the skin, sometimes causing a limp that looks worse than it actually is. Trimming the hair between the pads shorter in winter reduces how easily snow packs in this area to begin with.

A paw balm recommended by your vet, applied a few times a week to pads that look dry, flaky, or cracked, helps maintain a protective barrier. For dogs that tolerate them, well fitted booties prevent most of these issues entirely, though many dogs need several short practice sessions indoors before walking confidently in them outside.

A single walk on salted pavement rarely causes noticeable damage on its own, but repeated exposure across an entire winter season without any protective measures can gradually wear down pad condition, which is why starting a wipe down and balm routine from the first cold snap, rather than waiting until pads already look cracked, works better.

Keeping your dog's winter walks slightly shorter but more frequent, rather than one long walk on the harshest days, reduces total continuous exposure to cold, salted ground per outing while still meeting overall exercise needs across the day.