Paws & Snow
This is our first real winter and they use alot of sand and salt on the roads here...any suggestions? Thanks! |
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We use booties  If you take your dog places where the snow is deep, you might even consider long ones that go clear up to the elbow, since ice can build up painfully there too. |
| Ditto on the booties! If the snow is really deep, I put my hubby's socks on under the booties, and pull them up to Oscar's elbows, which helps keep the snow from matting in his fur.
Laurie and Oscar |
Honestly, I just don't walk mine where they've used salt. Snow is never a problem. Conditions have to be just right for it to ball up between their toes. I keep them trimmed/shaved between their pads and it rarely happens. As in I can't remember the last time. We've walked with other breeds that have to stop every few minutes to be de-balled (eh, maybe I should rephrase that?  ) Border Collies come to mind. But my OES, nope.
I do have boots though and would use them if necessary. As soon as I talked Sybil down off the roof. Kristine & Sybil (you're not putting anything on MY feet, nuh-huh!) |
| Yup... we swear by Muttlucks... but they don't go up real high.
http://oesusa.com/12007f.jpg Here's a link to the mfr's. site... http://www.muttluks.com/our_products/muttluks.php I loved the lighter weight yellow and black all-weather boots but they just didn't hold up. The red and black fleece-lined boots held up probably 30x longer for us. For some reason 2 sets of the yellow and black ones all frayed on the inside where the stretchy ribbed top is sewn to the yellow fabric. I got my red and black fleece-lined boots here- http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... b0d0204ae5 The price includes delivery to USA address. Darby had to start wearing them in late August because of her allergies. For the first time in more than 2 years her seasonal allergies seem to be under control  (because of the combination of a new holistic vet, her boots, the air purifier we had installed on the furnace, dehumidifiers, etc.)
Sorry... got side tracked. 
There are also other brands of boots out there too. |
| I use Musher's Secret paw balm on all 3 dogs. It protects the skin from ice and salt as well as keeping little snowballs from forming in between the feet. It's good stuff and it doesn't stain the floors or anything either! |
ButtersStotch wrote: I use Musher's Secret paw balm on all 3 dogs. It protects the skin from ice and salt as well as keeping little snowballs from forming in between the feet. It's good stuff and it doesn't stain the floors or anything either!
Me too! Well, ours is called Musher's Wax but I think it is probably similar. Maggie's fur really balls up:  |
Valerie wrote: ButtersStotch wrote: I use Musher's Secret paw balm on all 3 dogs. It protects the skin from ice and salt as well as keeping little snowballs from forming in between the feet. It's good stuff and it doesn't stain the floors or anything either! Me too! Well, ours is called Musher's Wax but I think it is probably similar. Maggie's fur really balls up: I LOVE this picture!  Wild snow bunny-Maggie! |
Val, Maggie is sure one cute snow bunny  |
Well our visit to the snow, one sheepie girl this winter demanded her booties. WET, EWWWWWW was this white slushy stuff on the ground. 
Snow is a novelty here so is a sheepie girl in that wet white cold stuff.  From a sheepie girl too who refuses to go outside to potty when the ground is wet after rain, booties MAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Real working dog she is "NOT" 
Val maggie is a gorgeous snow bunny I am so jealous of the snow you guys get, what fun |
| That picture is gorgeous!
It should become a greeting card!! |
| I use something like that also. Booties yuk, I hated putting them on my kids it would be a work out putting on the dogs. |
Valerie wrote: Me too! Well, ours is called Musher's Wax but I think it is probably similar. Maggie's fur really balls up: Maggie seems to collect an assortment of things, doesn't she??? |
| I love that picture of Maggie! We don't get enough snow here for Ralph to look like that.
I appreciate the advice because this will be our first winter with Ralph. What about ice? We have more problems with ice storms than lots of snow. |
ralphsmoms wrote: I love that picture of Maggie! We don't get enough snow here for Ralph to look like that.
I appreciate the advice because this will be our first winter with Ralph. What about ice? We have more problems with ice storms than lots of snow. With ice, be careful about slipping (you AND your dog! ) and also ice can cut paw pads  We use kitty litter or sawdust, rather than salt, so as to not irritate the dogs feet. I also keep old rugs handy to toss out on the very worst slick spots on our deck/porch areas. |
Quote: I also keep old rugs handy to toss out on the very worst slick spots on our deck/porch areas.
We have a low deck out the back door and it gets extremely slippery. So we cover it with that fake green carpet/turf stuff every fall and nail it in place. http://oesusa.com/Kayt-10-2006Ball.jpg Unfortunately, Cootie-the-blind-dog decides it's real grass and pees on it if we don't watch close so we have to throw it away in the spring. |
| I have not yet tried booties or musher wax. I do know that Obe if he is outside long enough (an hour or so) playing in the snow ends up looking like Vals dog. Usually he will stay out then come to the door and want in. We melt him down and then he is ready for round two. A friend of mine uses the wax and he has great results with it. |
| Im going to go ahead and try the wax as well this winter, since for brief trips out it would be easier than wrestling everyone into their booties.
For longer jaunts though, I was reminded the other day as to why I needed to order the LONG (elbow-length) booties...during our daily neighborhood playdate, my neighbor Van's lab Aurora cut her leg on ice pretty severely Luckily the neighbor's house that we were at had bandages etc all handy. Scary, though!  |
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