Cross Breeds

Do dogs paws get cold when walking in the snow?

I have a german sheperd puppy and im wondering if his feet would get cold in the snow, because he likes to play with the ball outside in the snow and im not sure how long i should stay outside with the dog. i usally let him stay in the snow only about 15min because i dont want his feet to get cold. so do dogs feet get cold in snow??

Public Comments

1. Most do, sure. But limit his time and he will get used to it. There is also "butter" for pads that will help with chapping/cracking and there is also booties that people use. It's more important to protect them from walking in salt though if your area salts for ice and snow...this can burn their feet and shouldn't be ingested either should some get stuck between their toes and they lick their feet when they return home. We don't use booties, but I do limit the time I allow him to be out in the snow/ice, and we never use salt products around the house.
2. It is a proven fact , "Yes doggy paws do get cold and even develop frostbite if snow and ice is allowed to stay between their toes and pads too long"!
3. Most do. Northern Breed Cold Weather Dogs, don't seem to have a problem, however. Just the same, they make pad balm. It's like lotion for our skin, but designed for their paw pads to prevent the chaffing and cracking of them. Salt is a huge concern. It will burn their paws and should never be ingested. I don't ever salt my driveway for this very reason, I sort of Ice skate out to my car.
4. Yes