Why does my dog keep stopping and lifting their paw on winter walks?

Snow is probably compacting between their paw pads and turning into hard ice balls, which is painful. It's especially common in dogs with fur between their toes, and you'll need to gently melt it off with warm water rather than trying to pull it out.

Is road salt dangerous if my dog licks their paws after a walk?

Yes, it can be. While tiny amounts won't cause harm, road salt can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach upset if your dog licks enough of it off their paws. In severe cases, it can cause high sodium levels and even kidney damage, so rinse their paws with warm water as soon as you get home.

Should I trim the fur on my dog's paws in winter?

Yes, it really helps. Trim the fur between their pads so it's roughly level with the pads themselves—this stops snow from clumping and compacting there. Use blunt-ended scissors when your dog is calm, or ask a groomer to do it if you're nervous about it.

Dogs on the Hills

Road Grit, Snow and Your Dog's Paws: Winter Walk Checks

Snow can pack painfully between a dog's pads, while road salt and grit irritate skin and cause stomach upset if licked off. Trim long fur between the pads, check paws after winter walks, and rinse away ice and grit with warm water rather than tugging at frozen clumps—and keep your dog off frozen ponds, because the ice may not hold.

7 October 20268 min read