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Road salt
In winter, salt is often used to de-ice roads and sidewalks. Despite its great utility for the human population, it's not much appreciated by your dog's paws. Indeed, the chemical agents present in this salt can irritate or dry out the pads of their paws, causing pain, cracks or wounds. So it's vital to protect your dog's paws! We strongly recommend cleaning your dog's paws with lukewarm water after every outing. You can also use protective balms or dog boots to limit direct contact with salt. You can also use "paw-safe" road salt, which won't irritate your dog's paws.
Frostbite
Frostbite in pets, both dogs and cats, can occur when the temperature drops below 0°C, but the risk increases considerably at temperatures below -7°C. It increases even more when the animal is exposed to the cold for a prolonged period. The areas most vulnerable to frostbite are the extremities: ears, tail, paw pads and areas where the skin is thinner and less protected by fur. Frostbite occurs when tissues cool significantly, resulting in reduced blood flow. This is the body's automatic response to preserve as much residual body heat as possible. Clinical signs include cold, pale or bluish skin. It's vital to take precautions to prevent frostbite in your pet. You can limit the number and duration of outings in very cold weather, and dress your pet in coats or boots if necessary.
The precautions to be taken may vary according to the breed and size of your pet. In fact, the animal's mass/surface ratio is an important indicator of heat loss. Heat loss will be greatest when the animal's mass is low in relation to its surface area. Thus, small animals such as puppies and small-breed dogs are at greater risk of excessive heat loss. Larger animals are less likely to lose body heat. So your Bernese Mountain Dog may not need a coat, but your Chihuahua or Yorkie would benefit greatly from one!
If you suspect frostbite, gently warm the affected area with lukewarm (never hot) towels and consult your vet as soon as possible.
