Willow was a little bit pully on the way back home from our morning walk, and she seemed to be struggling with the grit/salt on her feet. I cleaned them off a few times, but she kept lifting them as if she was in pain. I felt really bad, but on that was, there wasn't a lot I could do. Obviously, we get a lot of snowy days, so there's a lot of this around on the pavements. Do you think it's something she'll grow out of? Do I need to invest in some boots for her? I can't imagine she'd like them, and I'd feel like a prize plonker, too, but if it's better for her, I can suck that up! Or any other tips? Would vaseline or something similar on the paws work? Shadow wasn't bothered in the slightest on his walk :/
Re: Salt/grit in the paws I'm not sure how to protect their paws if it hurts to walk on the grit but everyone needs to wash their dogs paws off after coming into contact with salt and grit. Apparently it can make them extremely unwell if they lick it off their feet.
Re: Salt/grit in the paws Agree about the washing....In London, I wash Charlie's paws after every single walk. I really don't want him licking anything off his paws - salt/grit/diesel particles...
Re: Salt/grit in the paws Excellent! Thanks, Heidrun, I've just bought some Musher's Secret for delivery. Hope it arrives soon! Apparently it's good for my hands too, which is awesome because I always get dry hands in the cold months. Bonus Good tip about washing the feet, too - we always give them a good wipe with a towel but washing instead/as well makes sense.
Re: Salt/grit in the paws I wipe their paws on return every day. If it's slushy and salty I wash their paws. Musher's paw is excellent for paw protection too. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mushers-Secret-Protector-60-Grams/dp/B0002IJQDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423046411&sr=8-1&keywords=musher%27s+paw I don't think they'd keep boots on - mine would just chew/pull them off. I tried some for my little Cavalier, Gavin as - when he got old and creaky - his feet would slip on the wooden floor. He took one lookt at them and chewed them off! (eta - ooops - posted before I read the thread! Never mind, the link is there for others)
Re: Salt/grit in the paws [quote author=Boogie link=topic=9784.msg141629#msg141629 date=1423046559] I wipe their paws on return every day. If it's slushy and salty I wash their paws. Musher's paw is excellent for paw protection too. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mushers-Secret-Protector-60-Grams/dp/B0002IJQDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423046411&sr=8-1&keywords=musher%27s+paw I don't think they'd keep boots on - mine would just chew/pull them off. I tried some for my little Cavalier, Gavin as - when he got old and creaky - his feet would slip on the wooden floor. He took one lookt at them and chewed them off! [/quote] Hehe, reminds me of that video, Booba's new shoes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDxrfEeRYAk
Re: Salt/grit in the paws We have had this problem with Mira, but strangely only on the way home from walks. I think that an hour of running in wet fields/moor softens up the pads and if there are any tiny cracks then the salt gets in. Had her try to walk on two paws once Usually we can avoid it, but if the road and pavement ploughs have both been along spreading then the bit nearest our house can be thick with it. Might get some of that wax - sounds an ideal solution and I'm sure once I buy it we won't get any more snow this winter
Re: Salt/grit in the paws [quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=9784.msg141643#msg141643 date=1423048924] I'm sure once I buy it we won't get any more snow this winter [/quote] I had that thought - and here, it's not a good one! We need snow in a ski resort!
Re: Salt/grit in the paws [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9784.msg141644#msg141644 date=1423049237] [quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=9784.msg141643#msg141643 date=1423048924] I'm sure once I buy it we won't get any more snow this winter [/quote] I had that thought - and here, it's not a good one! We need snow in a ski resort! [/quote] Quite! We've not had much this year and we'd really like a foot or two to make up for last year's almost total absence!
Re: Salt/grit in the paws I've never had trouble with any of my dogs paws throughout the winters here. I think salt is not used very much anymore - generally it's sand or gravel that is out down. Occasionally some people use salt on their sidewalks, though. But as I said, it's never seemed to cause a problem for my dogs. I suppose every dog is different and reacts differently.
Re: Salt/grit in the paws Just ordered some of that wax as looks great and murphy does have quite a few cracks in his pads so pleased that this will protect them
Re: Salt/grit in the paws This forum should be on amazon commission, I just ordered too! Thanks for the recommendation.
Re: Salt/grit in the paws The gritter went past as we were on our way home this morning. Poor Willow was trying to get all feet off the floor at once! I nearly carried her home, it was causing her so much discomfort Luckily, it was only about another 50m to the door and I put her in the shower and washed her feet as soon as we got in - which may have been as much of a trauma as the grit! I hope that wax arrives soon!
Re: Salt/grit in the paws Poor willow... I've been thinking of trying a product called a paw plunger - it's a sort of paw sized cup with soft bristles inside, you fill it with water and stick one paw at a time in...
Re: Salt/grit in the paws I just tried to clean Riley's feet with a big bowl of hibiscrub which was hilarious......the chances of me getting his feet in a "paw sized cup with soft bristles" would be slim to none ;D ;D ;D
Re: Salt/grit in the paws I fill my watering can with hot water before I go on a walk and leave it in the boot room, on my return it's still nice and warm to wash Hattie's feet - lovely ;D ;D x
Re: Salt/grit in the paws [quote author=charlie link=topic=9784.msg141967#msg141967 date=1423169288] I fill my watering can with hot water before I go on a walk and leave it in the boot room, on my return it's still nice and warm to wash Hattie's feet - lovely ;D ;D x [/quote] That is super organised! I am in awe [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9784.msg141969#msg141969 date=1423169470] I've ordered it! I'll clicker train it, I need a break from "hold" :. [/quote] And that needs a video!!!!!!
