We have another cold snap with ice and snow predicted, I’m a Winter baby so I love this time of year. Wrapping up warm with hats, gloves and warm snuggie boots and getting outside with my dogs- heaven.
My old spaniel has a coat too and I’ll talk about dog coats in upcoming newsletters but this week it’s about keeping our dogs & paws healthy this time of year.
I have a saying, “a dirty spaniel is a happy spaniel’ but that means baths post walk and I breathe a sigh of relief if it’s snowing or just frosty – as that means a full bath is not needed.
I hear you say – surely a dog that’s been walking in the snow/frost is clean and doesn’t need a bath at all?
‘No, I exclaim!! – it’s more important than ever to wash their paws & bellies’ and here’s why:
Road grit used to keep our roads & pavements human friendly – is poisonous to our dogs. It contains rock salt and sometimes additives & anticaking agents.
Do you use antifreeze for your car’s windscreen washers?
Use a De-icer spray to defrost your car. Lots of people do and these chemicals are also highly poisonous to dogs if ingested. Just because you are conscientious and clean up your spills etc – not everyone will/does and therefore these also end up on driveways, pavements & roads.
After your walk, wash their paws before your dog starts to groom/lick them. At home easy – just rinse, dry and you’re all set.
Invest in a portable paw washer
Mud Buster £10.00
If you’re out and about a lot you could invest in a portable paw washer – Julia has already discussed the Mud Daddy for cleaning boots & dogs but there are smaller alternatives. There are a lot of brands out there but Mudbuster comes in 3 sizes (small, medium & large) ranging from £10 to £25. These products have silicone bristles that get between the pads/digits too.
If you don’t have a portable washer – have a bottle of water handy in your car or no water – then wipe clean but don’t forget to get in between those digits & pads.
As the snow melts and roads defrost – be mindful of your dog’s walking through slush & puddles, as well as drinking from said puddles – it’s a minefield.