Grand Rapids Mobile Pet Grooming recommends taking precautions in the winter to keep your dogs healthy and safe.
Here are some winter safety tips!
Trim the Paw Pad Fur
For dogs with furry feet, take a moment to trim the fur that grows beneath the paw pads. This will help prevent the build up of ice in his or her paws.
Clean Ice & Salt from Paws
In the winter, many streets and paths get covered with both ice and salt. After a walk, be sure to take some time to remove the salt with a quick rinse off or cloth rub.
Salve for Cracked Paw Pads
Watch out for super icy sidewalks, they can lead to cracked and dry paws. You might want to find a good paw salve, like Burt’s Bees paw relieving dog lotion.
Time Limits for Freezing Minutes
Limit the time your dog is out in the ice and snow. Keep an eye on this with a timer or put an alarm on your phone, especially when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Be Especially Aware for the Very Old & Very Young
For older or very young pups, consider keeping your dog indoors except for bathroom breaks. Older and young dogs are more sensitive to weather extremes. Once a dog is one year old, and before 10, he or she has more
staying power in different climates.
Recognize your dog’s unique ability to navigate weather. Just like one of my dogs loved to swim and chase ducks in ponds, another hated getting wet. You can look for cues from your dog to see whether playing in weather extremes is a positive or a negative thing.
Take Indoor Walks
If you have a big house or barn, walk around from room to room with your dog for 10 minutes in lieu of braving storms. It’s good for both of you! Just be careful you don’t get them going too fast because the last thing you need right now is a trip to the vet for an injury!
When you need a break from dog care be sure to call Grand Rapids Mobile Pet Grooming to give them a pampering break from the daily grind.