PETS' BEST FRIEND BY LAUREN MIDDLETON - Caring for your pet in cold, icy weather

Hello from Pets’ Best Friend!

This month brings some very cold spells of frost and fresh starts.

Apart from a suitable jacket for your dog (if and when needed), you may also need to care for your pets’ paw pads during the icy weather.

The salt commonly used on driveways and paths can cause chemical burn to a dog’s paws through prolonged contact; it can also be ingested if they lick their paws.

To prevent this threat, you can wipe your pet’s feet with warm water after a walk, and as an extra precaution your own boots too. Shorter walks may be necessary to avoid prolonged paw pad exposure to the cold paths.

Hairy-footed dogs will benefit from regular trimming of the hair on their paws, this will eliminate snow balls forming on their feet and reduce the risk of de-icer clinging to the hair.