The ground doesn't need to be covered
with snow for you to pay extra attention to your dog's feet on
a winter hike. Dogs can get frostbite on unprotected feet in
very cold weather - frostbite can also affect ears and tails.
And when it is cold and wet and out always take a moment to dry
and clean your dog's paws to help avoid tiny cuts and cracked
footpads. The rock salt that is used to melt ice on paved surfaces
may also irritate footpads which is another reason to keep your
dog's paws clean.
Most dogs love to romp in the snow. Before
the drifts pile up clip the hair around your dog's pawpads to
ease snow removal and help prevent ice balls from forming. You
don't want to use powerful hot-air dryers to melt those lttle
ice balls because you can burn your dog's skin. And one last
things - like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illnesses
in the winter so if you notice any suspicious symptoms with your
dog put that big cold-westher hike off for a day or two.
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