Short answer: in winter, paws suffer mainly from road salt and de-icing products, the cold, and long hair between the pads that traps snow and ice. Wash and dry your dog's paws after every walk, keep the hair between the toes trimmed, and protect the pads with a balm. If limping persists, or there's bleeding or deep cracks, see a vet.
Why winter is hard on paws
Road salt and de-icing products
Salt and chemical de-icers used on pavements and roads dry out and irritate the skin of the pads, and with longer contact they can cause small areas of inflammation between the toes. If your dog licks its paws after a walk, these substances can also irritate the mouth or stomach, so it's important to remove them as soon as you're home, before your dog has had a chance to lick them off.
Cold and ice between the toes
In dogs with longer hair between the toes, snow and ice mat together into small clumps that press on the skin and get in the way of a normal gait. Prolonged time in snow and on cold concrete chills the pads and makes them more brittle and prone to cracking.
Daily habits after a walk
Washing and drying
Rinse or clean the paws as soon as you're back from a walk, to remove salt and chemicals before your dog licks them off. When there's no way to do a full wash, a handy alternative is a no-rinse cleansing foam with a built-in brush, such as Bugalugs Oatmeal No-Rinse Paw Cleaner or the probiotic Bugalugs Pre, Post + Probiotic No Rinse Paw Cleaner for Dogs, which also cleans between the pads without water. After washing, dry thoroughly with a towel – damp skin between the toes is more prone to irritation.
Checking for cracks and injuries
Check the pads regularly for cracks, redness, or small injuries from ice and grit-covered snow. If you have a care plan in your account (My Pets), add a reminder for a weekly paw check through winter – it's easy to skip in the cold months, when walks are shorter.
Trimming the hair between the pads
For breeds with thick hair on the feet, such as the poodle and the English Cocker Spaniel, keep the hair between the toes and around the pads trimmed short all through winter. Shorter hair doesn't trap snow and ice, and lets balms reach the skin directly. For precise trimming of a small area around the paws, a compact trimmer such as the Wahl Pico Battery Trimmer is handy, small enough for fine detail work around the toes and muzzle.
Balms for protection and recovery
A protective balm, applied before a walk, creates a barrier against salt and ice, and applied after a walk, it helps dry or cracked skin recover. Bugalugs Nose & Paw Balm is formulated specifically against dry, rough or cracked pads caused by road salt and ice. For quicker, cleaner application without getting the product on your hands, the stick format of Bugalugs Nose & Paw Balm Stick is handy – practical to carry in a pocket during a walk.
Boots for dogs
Paw boots limit direct contact with ice, salt and cold pavement, and are useful for dogs with sensitive pads or in very low temperatures. They take some getting used to – most dogs walk oddly at first while they adjust to the feel of them. If you decide to use them, check the fit regularly, so they don't become tight and restrict circulation.
When to see a vet
- Limping that doesn't ease with rest
- Bleeding or deep cracks on the pads
- Redness, swelling or an unpleasant smell between the toes
- Your dog constantly licking or chewing the same paw
Signs like these can point to an injury, a chemical burn, an infection between the toes, or a foreign object stuck in the skin, and they need an examination, not just home care.
Suitable products
In the Care – paws and nose collection you'll find balms and cleansing foams for paws – Bugalugs balms for protecting and repairing the pads, and no-rinse foams for a quick clean after a walk.
Read more: Why is my dog itching? and How often to bathe your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Should I bathe my dog less often in winter?
Not necessarily less often, but it's a good idea to dry thoroughly after every bath – heating already dries out the air and the skin, and frequent full baths can make dryness worse. Washing just the paws after a walk is separate from a full bath and is needed more often.
Is road salt safe for dogs?
Direct contact with the skin and ingestion through licking can irritate the paws and the stomach. That's why it's important to wash the paws as soon as you're back from a walk, before your dog licks them. If your dog swallows a larger amount of salt (for example by eating salted snow or from a torn bag), it can cause vomiting, intense thirst, trembling and seizures – in that case, see a vet straight away. Even more dangerous in winter is antifreeze (ethylene glycol): it tastes sweet, and even a small amount can be fatal. If you suspect your dog has licked or swallowed antifreeze, don't wait for symptoms – see a vet straight away.
How do I protect my dog's paws if it won't wear boots?
A balm applied before a walk, and trimming the hair between the toes, reduce the risk even without boots. Shortening walks during the coldest hours of the day also helps.
Is it normal for a dog to lick its paws more in winter?
Light licking to clean up is normal, but constant, persistent licking of the same paw isn't – it usually points to irritation, dry skin, or snow stuck between the toes, and is worth having checked.
