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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