3/10
Ice Balls on Paws
Painful ice balls can build up on their paws. “You can train your dog to wear booties or ask your groomer to trim the hair on the underside of the paws short to minimize ice buildup,” Wooten says. If your dog does come into the house with ice balls on their paws, Wooten suggests a warm water paw rinse. After the ice balls are gone, apply Shea butter to paw pads if they look dried out.
4/10
Rock Salt
Rock salt is dangerous because it can cause chemical burns on paw pads. And if a dog consumes enough of it, it can lead to dehydration and possible sodium poisoning.
“Sodium chloride, which makes up snow salt, can prove toxic to dogs, depending on the amount consumed and the weight of the dog,” says Jamie Richardson, medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary in New York City. Use sand, dirt or wood ash as an alternative. If your dog has consumed a lot of rock salt, contact your vet immediately.
5/10
Sharp Objects Buried Under the Snow
Once snow covers the ground, it’s difficult for dogs to see things like jagged rocks, sharp edged toys, even left-out garden tools, says Julie Burgess, a certified veterinary technician and dog trainer.
“Remove any sharp objects from your property before the snow flies,” she says. “These can include gardening tools such as shovels, rakes, and lawn edging.” Avoid letting your dog run anywhere there may be large rocks.
