Can really crunchy snow hurt dogs paws?

[Yumyi]

Just been out in the garden and all the snow is sort of half ice/half snow and my feet crucnch through it. I had dog out too but I was worried about her paws. What do we think? The pavements are all the same round here. Wonder if she might be better missing her walk

We used to vaseline my dog's paws before going out on really icy walks.

Oh I am not sure she would let me Vaseline the paws

Can you get her some booties, the snow and ice can damage their pads and claws and provably not very nice to walk on.

Mine absolutely loves it, tearing around on her walk. I've just kept it shorter than normal to prevent her getting too cold.

It's not ice though, still a lot of snow and firm slush in places

Yes normally she loves the snow. But I am just worried this looks like it would scratch her paws

I live in Canada. My dog flatly refuses to wear boots, so we use “mushers wax” on his paws. We’re still outside in -25.

Gritter salt is rubbish for dogs feet and if they lick it off can make them sick. So caution is needed in snowy weather

If they are not happy to wear boots I would be keeping an eye on their pads.

Some dogs get snow balls sticking to their fur between their paws which is also painful.

Keep an eye on their feet and where they walk.

You do need to do something to stop the snow matting in the fur between their pads. A quick stand in a bowl of warm water when hone will be fine.

I can't imagine an issue with crunchy snow but once it's solid rutted ice larger and arthritic dogs can strain themselves trying to keep their balance.

My ddog is currently having zoomies in the very thick snow in the garden!!

It can be sharp but it's unlikely to cut their paws. In that kind of hard icy snow booties aren't very good either as they don't have the same grip as paws does and they risk slipping.

I have a spray that I spray on my dog's paws if we are walking places that they have salted the roads. It seems to work. I don't know if they have it in the UK though. I live in Norway and we have a long season of snow, ice, salt, grit.

Rub paw was into the pads - that helps.

I was wondering this!

Thanks for asking the question, OP.