Cross Breeds

Can a dog's paws get too cold from a walk in the snow?

Can they get frostbite or are there any precautions I should take when walking the dog in snow? I know people say "oh they're dogs, they were made for this", but I don't really buy into that, but I also don't disagree with it either... My dog is not a snow dog (raised in ths snow or a husky) and I am not sure if there are any precautions I should take when taking her for walks in the winter snow. Thank you.

Public Comments

1. if its like 0 degrees out i would be careful but other then that they should be fine.. i would be more worried about side walk salt on their paws then them getting too cold.. ive never heard of any dogs having trouble staying out in the snow too long.. as long as its above 0 degrees i dont worry about it.. never had a dog with frostbite yet! dogs arent people, they dont need shoes.. their paws are much stronger than our feet because they walk around barefoot all day! they walk on rocks, concrete, everything with barefeet.. just because we couldnt handle that, dosn't mean a dog cant.. if you did it enough, your feet would harden too..
2. YEAH THEY CAN!! thats why yOOh buy thOse dOg sOcks thingy sO they can walk On snOw!!
3. If you do want to take them for a walk in the snow then make shoes.
4. Dogs can get frostbite, get the dog shoes.
5. I have been wondering this too. I have a Chihuahua who LOVES snow, last winter she didn't want to go in the house at all and it was about 10 degrees outside, and we were out there for almost 2 hours, and it didnt even seem to bother her at all, I tried putting boots on her but she didnt like them : |
6. i am pretty sure dogs will be alright in the snow, but see how your dog reacts to the snow. Most dogs will start wimpering or acting different if they are in any pain. Something you should watch when walking on sidewalks is salt. Dogs can get sick from licking off their paws if their is too much salt, also watch anti freeze, etc.
7. Dogs can usually tolerate walking in the snow for resonable amounts of time. You have to be careful about salt used to melt ice getting stuck in their paws sometimes, if you are concerned they sell socks to put over their feet that don't inhibit their movement at all.
8. yes that's why they have dog shoes and coats i suggest you would get some to benefit the dog and make the walk in the snow easier. hope i helped
9. Dogs feet are sensitive. Why do you think they make boots for their paws? Just a short walk outside or a short time outside is not going to affect their paws other then making them cold. What will affect their paws is the salt on the side walk or road. This can burn their paws and create painful cracks and blisters. If they are going to be outside for long periods then you want to consider the boots. Also if they are going to be walking on salt then consider the boots. The sled dogs have to be careful because if they don't have boots on then they can have severe paw problems.
10. yes i recommend buying dog shoe
11. No, dogs paws are naturally insulated. I would be more worried about rocks and salt. But if you are still worried you can always get those cute little booties for dogs :)
12. Dogs are usually ok with cold weather as long as they aren't out there for too long. and yes the salt is something you have to watch out for. i suggest just watching for odd behavior while on your walks and possibly keep an old towel by the door to wipe off the paws when you get back in. not only is the salt bat for them, but its not very good for your carpet either. good luck getting socks to stay on if that's what you choose to do :)
13. if its cold or hot for your own foot then it is too cold for their paw
14. I suppose they can, if it's cold enough, but I don't know how cold that would be. I've walked dogs of all kinds, average size mutts all of them, in all kinds of snow and cold weather and never had a problem with dogs' feet getting too cold. At least, the dogs never seemed bothered by the cold, didn't curl up or limp and act like their feet were hurting. If they were cold, the whole dog was cold and that usually only happens if they have to stay still when it's cold out. As long as they're moving they're fine. What can really bother them is salt on sidewalks. It soaks into their feet and can be really irritating so it's good to rinse feet off if they've been walking on salty streets. They can also get balls of snow or ice on the bottom of their feet, stuck in the fur between the toes and the large pad. If the dog doesn't lick that off himself, you can just melt it with your hand or pull it off. Booties are usually to keep salt off their feet or to protect the feet from sharp ice.