Winter Paw Care

Winter can be especially hard on a dog's paws. Unprotected from ice, snow, and slush, and bitter cold, their paws need special care in winter. By taking a little extra time to keep your dogs' paws well-groomed, you can minimize problems with cracked, sore pads, blisters and infections.

The products used to clear the ice and snow that accompany cold winter weather can be a real hazard for dogs. Rock salt and most chemical de-icers can irritate a dog's paws and turn a winter walk into a painful ordeal. Stay away from heavily salted areas as much as possible when walking your dog.

Inspect paws after walking in areas treated with salt and other de-icers. Check between toes and examine the foot pads for cracks in the skin. Look closely at any inflamed areas for splinters, embedded gravel, etc.

Snow, especially wet snow, clings to long haired dogs as they run and play in the snow. When snow or slush from melting ice and snow on sidewalks sticks to the hair beneath a dog's paws, lumps of ice, often mixed with rock salt and gravel, build up between their foot pads and toes. Walking hurts.

Always wash paws with warm water after outdoor play and winter walks. Even if there's no trace of cracks, irritation or any damage and no snow and ice to remove, it's important to wash away all traces of salt and other de-icers so a dog can't lick it off later. Never let a dog try to chew away any lumps if ice and snow sticking to its paws or hanging from its fur.

Ingesting rock salt or chemical de-icing products can have a toxic effect. There are pet-safe ice melting products available. (See ad below) Use one of them instead of rock salt for de-icing side walks and driveways. The National Animal Poison Control Center also suggests using sand or cat litter as an alternative. They won't melt ice, but they'll provide added traction.

After washing, apply Vaseline or Bag Balm to foot pads to soothe irritated paws. Apply again just before walks or outdoor play time to protect paws. Snow and ice collecting under paws will be less of a problem for long-haired dogs if the hair on their paws is properly trimmed.

Cut long hair growing from between the pads or each foot. Using a sharp grooming scissors, cut hair so that it's even with the pads. If there are any mats between the pads, very carefully cut the mat out, leaving as much of the hair below the mat as possible. Cut hair from between the toes even with the surface of the foot. Next... trim hair from around the edge of the foot. On dogs with long feathering on the back of their front legs, trim any excessively long hair so it does not drag on the ground.

It's important to keep a dog's nails trimmed all year long, but absolutely crucial in winter. Untrimmed nails can lead to splayed feet, sore nailbeds, and even torn nail. When nails are extra long, the toes spread apart when walking, leaving more space for snow and ice to build up.

Warmth and Protection for Paws

Doggy boots are not just a novelty for pampered pets. Even paws covered in heavy fur get cold when they get wet. Exposure to ice, snow and salt can hurt even the toughest paws. Well-made boots can keep a dog's paws warm and dry in rain, ice, and snow and protect them from the harmful effects of salt and de-icers.

For most dogs, it takes a little time to adjust to the new sensation of walking in boots. You might want to have a camcorder ready for a funniest pet video moment... a high-stepping comedy act... the first time a dog walks in boots. To get used to wearing them, put boots on all 4 paws and have your dog just follow you around the house with a handful of treats for encouragement or go on very short walks. Double-check the fit and make any adjustments if needed. Next day, try to get your dog interested in a favorite fun activity like chasing a ball or a favorite toy for about 10 minutes while wearing boots. Again, double-check the fit and make any adjustments if needed. Make sure the boots stay in place as they are supposed to be worn. Practice enough to know that your dog is willing to wear them for a reasonable length of time before going on any long walks. Whenever your dog is wearing boots, check frequently to make sure they're not too tight. Never leave a dog who is wearing boots unattended.

If your macho dog - or your macho spouse - still think that boots are only for wimpy dogs or sissy dogs,
tell them that some of America's greatest 4-legged heroes wear boots!

 

Hope you have enjoyed this edition.

We are all wishing you a happy holiday season and I am looking forward to writing in the new year..

 

Happy Holidays,

 

I found this interesting article that could help save your dog's life this festive family season. I would only add that you please call your vet first for specific medical advice. Animal Hospitals usually have an emergency line for nights and weekends. But the advice below seems helpful. Let me know if you have any experiences with this kind of treatment. Have a safe holiday!

WHAT TO DO?

What do you do if your puppy (or mischievous older dog) gets into your holiday decorations and eats some of the glass ornaments? This potentially lethal mishap can darken even the brightest holiday season.

BEFORE the holiday go to a pharmacy & buy a box of cotton balls. Be sure that you get COTTON balls...not the "cosmetic puffs" that are made from man-made fibers. Also, buy a quart of half-and-half coffee cream and put it in the freezer.

Should your dog eat glass ornaments, defrost the half-and-half and pour some in a bowl. Dip cotton balls into the cream and feed them to your dog.

Dogs under 10 lbs. should eat 2 balls which you have first torn into smaller pieces. Dogs 10-50lbs should eat 3-5 balls and larger dogs should eat 5-7. You may feed larger dogs an entire cotton ball at once. Dogs seem to really like these strange "treats" and eat them readily.

As the cotton works its way through the digestive tract it will find all the glass pieces and wrap itself around them. Even the teeniest shards of glass will be caught and wrapped in the cotton fibers and the cotton will protect the intestines from damage by the glass.

Your dog's stools will be really weird for a few days and you will have to be careful to check for fresh blood or a tarry appearance to the stool. If either of the latter symptoms appear you should rush your dog to the vet for a checkup but, in most cases, the dogs will be just fine.

On the first day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

A marrow bone in a tree.

On the second day of Christmas my owner gave o me:

2 bowls of food and a marrow bone in a tree.

On the third day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

3 kittie crunchies, 2 bowls of food and a marrow bone in a tree.

On the forth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

5 squeaky toys, 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

6 doggie bisques, five squeaky toys, 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

7 barking friends, 6 doggie bisques, 5 squeaky toys. 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree

On the eighth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

8 chewed up blankets 7 barking friends, 6 doggie bisques, 5 squeaky toys. 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

9 wagging tails, 8 chewed up blankets, 7 barking friends, 6 doggie bisques, 5 squeaky toys. 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

10 shredded socks, 9 wagging tails, 8 chewed up blankets, 7 barking friends, 6 doggie bisques, 5 squeaky toys. 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

11 eaten shoes, 10 shredded socks, 9 wagging tails, 8 chewed up blankets, 7 barking friends, 6 doggie bisques, 5 squeaky toys. 4 boo boo faces, 3 kitty crunchies, 2 bowls of food. And a marrow bone in a Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my owner gave to me:

12 soiled carpets
11 eaten shoes
10 shredded socks
9 wagging tails
8 chewed up blankets
7 barking friends
6 doggie bisques
5 squeaky toys
4 boo boo faces
3 kitty crunchies
2 bowls of food
....And a marrow bone in a Christmas tree!

 

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head.

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring he was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus - and his eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dogs name.

And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain.

"Now DASHER ... Now DANCER Now PRANCER and VIXEN
On COMET ... On CUPID On DONER and BLITZEN

To the top of the porch - to the top of the wall.
Let's find this dog a home where he's loved by all."

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear ...
The gift of a dog is not just for a season.
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.
A dog should be family and cared for the same.
You don't give a gift then put it on a chain.

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"You weren't given a gift. You were given a life!"

Only a few more days to get your holiday baking done.  Don't forget to include these fun dog treats.  Besure to mark the containers so the humans in your family don't get an unexpected surprise.

 

 

Christmas Mint Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups bisquick
1/2 cup mint chopped leaves
1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons margarine
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in food processor, process until well mixed

Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.

Cut with holiday shaped cookie cutters, place on non-stick cookie pan.

Bake at 375 F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool and store in air-tight container.

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Puppy Dog Egg Nog

Ingredients:

1 container plain yogurt
1 jar baby food (any meat flavor)
1 large can evaporated milk
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:

Blend all ingredients and serve in holiday bowls.