Tip of the Month - Snowballs in the Paws

(Courtesy of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb)

Snow snow snow, everywhere there is snow and where there is snow, there are snowballs – in your dog's paws!

Snow will gather in the hair of your dog's paws. Within the moist sweat glands in your dog's feet that snow will quickly turn into iceballs. All too often those unwanted additions will actually become quite uncomfortable, even painful for your snow frolicking pooch! Once the novelty of going for a snowy walk has worn off, you may notice your dog hopping, limping, holding a leg up and even flatly refusing to continue. If forced to walk on those iceballs some sensitive pads (especially the pink ones) can be bruised and even sliced. Once your dog is inside, they can be seen trying to bite and lick their paws constantly for relief.

There are several tips that you can use to help prevent snowballs in the paws and also ways to deal with them, once formed.

• The first and foremost preventative is to trim the hair in between the toes of your dog's paws and all around the outside so that snow has less opportunity to stick and become embedded between their toes. Be sure to use rounded scissors and lots of patience (and treats!) when taking care of this detail.

• There are safe options to help repel snow from attaching to your dog's pads such as: a coating of petroleum jelly, udder balm, or what sled dog trainer's use “Musher's Wax Secret.” You can even spray your dog's pads with a vegetable oil. When your dog returns inside they will likely lick their pads