How to protect dog paws from road salt

Every winter, sidewalks and roads across Canada and the northern US get a coat of salt and chemical ice melt. It keeps people upright, but it is hard on paws. The good news: a short routine before and after each walk prevents most of the trouble.

What road salt does to paws

Most de-icers are salts: sodium chloride (rock salt), calcium chloride, magnesium chloride or a blend. On paws they can:

• Dry out and crack the pads. Salt pulls moisture out of skin. Dry pads crack, and cracks sting when more salt gets in.
• Irritate the skin between the toes. Salty slush packs into the fur between toes and sits against the skin for the whole walk.
• Get swallowed. Dogs lick their paws after a walk. Licking off salt and ice melt can upset the stomach, and large amounts can be dangerous.

Cold, wet snow, ice balls between the toes and sharp ice add to the wear.

Signs your dog's paws are bothered by salt

Watch for these during and after walks:

• Lifting a paw, limping or stopping suddenly on salted sidewalks
• Licking or chewing the paws after coming inside
• Red, dry or cracked pads
• Redness or a rash between the toes

Before the walk

Boots are the most complete protection. They keep salt, slush and ice off the pads entirely. Fit matters more than anything else: a boot that is too big twists and falls off, and one that is too small rubs. Measure your dog's front paw width and use Paw Fit to pick a size for the specific boot, such as the Snowline Winter Boot. Most dogs walk oddly in boots at first; a few short indoor sessions fix that.

No boots? Use a paw balm. A thin layer of wax-based balm on the pads before the walk creates a barrier against salt and wet snow. Rub it in well so your dog does not slip on hard floors on the way out.

Trim the fur between the toes. Long tufts collect salty slush and turn into ice balls. Keep the fur roughly level with the pads.

During the walk

• Walk on clean snow or grass where you can, instead of salted pavement.
• Keep winter walks shorter on very cold days and heavily salted routes.
• If your dog starts lifting a paw, stop and check for ice balls or salt crystals between the toes.

After the walk

1. Rinse. Dip each paw in lukewarm water, or use a paw rinse cup, to wash off salt and grit. Get between the toes.
2. Dry thoroughly. Towel each paw, including between the toes. Damp fur in a cold house dries out skin.
3. Check. Look at the pads and between the toes for redness, cracks or cuts.
4. Moisturize. At night, a thin layer of paw balm helps dry pads recover.

Rinsing also stops your dog from licking salt off later.

At home: choose a pet-safer ice melt

For your own steps and driveway, look for ice melts labelled pet-safer. They are usually gentler on paws than rock salt, but "pet-safer" does not mean harmless, so rinse paws anyway. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter add grip without any salt.

When to call your vet

Contact your veterinarian if you see:

• Bleeding, deep cracks or swelling on the pads
• Limping that lasts after the paws are rinsed and rested
• Constant licking or chewing that does not settle
• Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, wobbliness or unusual tiredness after a walk, especially if your dog may have eaten ice melt

If you think your dog ate a large amount of ice melt, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

The short version

Boots or balm before, clean routes during, rinse, dry, check and moisturize after. Two minutes per walk keeps paws comfortable all winter.