Protect and check dog paws in winter

Winter often affects paws before people notice how uncomfortable things have become. Cold, moisture, and salt create daily wear.

What helps

Useful winter basics include:

• shorter checks after walks
• rinsing off salt when needed
• watching for cracks or irritation
• adjusting route length to conditions

That already prevents many everyday problems.

What gets underestimated

The issue is often not dramatic injury. It is repeated small irritation that builds up over time.

The better habit

Make paw checks part of the winter routine. A minute after the walk is often enough to catch problems early.