New sheepie question--ice balls
 So how do I prevent this? The weather report says 10 more days under freezing. I can guarantee this isn't our only cold snap this winter. I'm less concerned about the ice balls and more about the cuts. The yard is getting icy with dog prints at this point. |
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| Ice balls can't really be prevented but they do make booties for dogs. Lily has a pair. She looks sad wearing them in this pic but she really doesn't mind.  |
| Benson wears booties as well. I bought her first pair, but I've taken to making them myself. In a pinch, old socks held up with ponytail holders can work. (Not a long-term solution, but at least until her new booties are delivered!) http://bensonthedog.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/snow-boots-really/ |
| Kirby has boots. They have tread on them and work well in snow/ice. If it is cold, like today 3 degrees, he does not stay out because his paws get cold. But with boots on he is just fine. He does not take him long to get used to them again. First he looks like we are punishing him, but soon he realizes it is much better to be out with his boots on. He is on his second pair. |
| I trim the fur on the paw pads, this reduces the ice balls. Also we stop on the walk for them to bite them off, or I pull them off. My dogs are too cool for booties  Just kidding, haven't tried then out, looks like work getting them on and off two dogs. |
| Yeah, first is the shorten the hair on the feet, actually bevel it up from the pads. Right now just shorten, have them stand and trim around the bottom so nothing drags. You may have to shorten the hair a bit up the leg.......can't do that with a show cut of course. Snow type will also affect balls. wet snow sticks. Dry fluffy snow doesn't......well, not as much. Fast way to melt them is have the pup step into a bucket with cool, not hot water and let the balls melt then towel dry the feet. Actually Kensie is beside me chewing off her foot balls as they aren't very big. It's colder now and the snow drier, earlier today we had quite a problem with wetter snow. Look into boots. It is a riot trying to get them used to them, try 5 minutes on the first time (obviously not when they are needed). Gradually they learn boots aren't evil and make being outside more fun. You can even get whole snow suits for dogs if snow is a big problem. |
Need to trim the hair out between the pads. Go in between the individual pads, not just level with the pads. No hair = no ice balls  Let me dig out a photo.... Trim them like this:  It eliminated ice balls... So we can do this!  As for the cuts - while her pads heal and toughen up, she'll need to limit her activity. Even rough pavement, etc will open them back up. Boots are a possibility too. I have dog sledding ones, and I use them when the callous starts to get too worn down (feet feel soft and smooth, almost shiny). Otherwise, just have to limit outdoor play when the thaw and refreeze happens and makes that nasty stuff - it is literally like knives on their feet. |
| Both of mine have boots, coats and rain slickers. Since we are having -27 below wind chills and temps in single digits, Oliver and Macie wear them out. After the first few time, it doesn't take long to get them on. I like the Mutt-Luks brand. |
| Agree with everything mentioned. be careful when trimming the pads as you can easily cut between the "toes". If your dog won't wear boots, and mine won't, try some Bag Balm ointment before they go out and again when they come in. Just don't let them lick. And the salt stuff everyone uses to melt ice is harmful to the paws and will make them bleed. Any ice melt is bad. Try and keep the dog off areas with ice melt and on the grass. Of course, if its too cold for you, its too cold for your dog. Only allow short intervals outside. If you can get your dog used to the booties, that is the best. |
| Bloo has boots but they are effort and they flop around his feet so I just trim the paw pads and melt the boulders after |
| I bought her booties, which watching her traipse through the house is a hoot. It promptly warmed up right after we bought them too. So now I want it to snow just so I can send her out in the shoes. Thank you for that picture, I haven't trimmed her feet yet, but now I know what I'm aiming for when I do. I love the sled dog picture! |
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