Cold weather dog paws: salt, ice and antifreeze dangers

Cold weather dog paws need a little routine. Wash or wipe your dog's paws after every walk, so salt and de-icing chemicals don't end up in their mouth, and look for dry, cracked pads while you are down there. The one big danger of the season is antifreeze, which is poisonous to dogs and cats. If you think your pet swallowed any, call an ER vet now.

ER sign: if you think your dog or cat got into antifreeze, go to an ER vet right away and call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Do not wait for symptoms.

What winter does to paws

Salt-based ice melts dry out paw pads and the skin between the toes, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Dogs lick their feet, so whatever is on the sidewalk can end up in their mouth. VCA says rock salt and salt-based de-icers can be toxic if pets eat them or lick them off their paws.

Safe checks at home

Wash and dry after every walk. The ASPCA suggests washing and drying your pet's feet and stomach after each walk to remove ice, salt and chemicals. VCA suggests warm water and a cloth or grooming wipes. A towel by the door makes it a habit.
Look at the pads. The ASPCA says to check for cracks in the paw pads and redness between the toes. Do it while you dry them.
Use a paw balm or booties if your dog tolerates them. VCA suggests a thin layer of balm before the walk as a barrier, wiped off and reapplied afterward, or booties that fit well and stay on. The ASPCA suggests vet-approved paw protectants.
Choose pet-friendly ice melt for your own steps. The ASPCA and VCA both suggest it. VCA warns that some de-icers can even contain ethylene glycol, the poison in antifreeze.
Watch how your dog feels the cold. AKC says there isn't one exact temperature that is too cold for all dogs, and that small dogs, senior dogs, puppies and short-coated dogs lose body heat faster, and shivering and curling up are early signs. The ASPCA suggests a coat or sweater for short-haired dogs, and says if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.

Antifreeze: why it is an emergency

Ethylene glycol is the toxic ingredient in many antifreeze products. The ASPCA says it has a sweet taste, so pets can easily be drawn to it, and that it takes only a small amount to be potentially fatal. Signs include unsteadiness, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, and seizures. Problems may start within a couple of hours, early signs can be missed, and in six to twelve hours pets may be markedly ill (ASPCA).

Go now, not later. The ASPCA says to get a pet to a veterinary hospital immediately, and calls antifreeze lethal for dogs and cats. The antidote works best the sooner it is given: AKC says it stops working once eight to 12 hours have passed. Do not wait for signs.

Wipe up spills on the garage floor or driveway and keep antifreeze closed and out of reach. The ASPCA suggests propylene glycol products as a less toxic alternative. Less toxic is not safe, so store them the same way. If your pet may have had any, do not try to make them vomit unless a vet or poison control tells you to (AKC).

Cats and cold engines

Cats look for warmth in winter. VCA says one of the most tempting and most dangerous spots is under the hood of a car or truck. Before you start the engine, check under the car, knock on the hood, honk the horn and wait a few moments so a hidden cat has time to leave. Keep your own cat inside on the coldest days.

When it is the ER

Video visits are not for emergencies. Go to an ER vet right away if:

your dog or cat may have swallowed or licked antifreeze (call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 on the way)
a pad or paw is bleeding and the bleeding won't stop
your dog cannot put any weight on a leg, or collapses
your dog is shivering hard and then goes quiet, sluggish or hard to wake after being out in the cold (AKC says to contact your vet right away for suspected hypothermia)
your dog ate a large amount of de-icing salt or ice melt and is vomiting or seems very unwell

If you are not sure, call the ER vet.

Why winter paw problems are hard the old way

A cracked pad or a bit of limping is the kind of thing owners wait on. The clinic is booked for days, the trip costs money (see how much a vet visit costs without insurance), and the dog is walking around. Then the paw is licked raw.

What a video visit does

A video visit fits the middle ground between waiting and the ER. It can help with:

A dry or cracked pad that is not bleeding. You show the paw in good light and a vet walks you through what to watch and what to ask your regular vet.
A dog who keeps licking a paw. A vet can look and ask about the walk routine.
A mild limp where your dog still puts weight on the leg. See also my dog is limping but shows no sign of pain.
Itchy, red skin between the toes. Our post on a dog biting himself with no fleas covers more causes.

Here is how it works at Everfur. You upload your pet's records once. An Everfur vet reads them before the call, so you are not starting from zero. After the visit you get clear next steps, and your regular vet gets a summary. We work with your vet. Think of us as the visit between visits.

Book a vet visit

Video visits are scheduled, most within 48 hours, and are California only for now. Other states are closed for now. In California, prescriptions are possible when a vet decides they are right for your pet.

What still needs a clinic

A video can't replace hands. These need an in-person visit:

A deep cut, a torn pad or anything that keeps bleeding.
A leg your dog will not use. A vet has to feel the leg.
A dog who is very cold and sluggish.
Anything the vet on the call wants to see in person. Your records will already be ready.

Before the next cold snap

Keep a towel by the door, check the garage floor for drips, and save the ASPCA Poison Control number in your phone: 888-426-4435. If your dog's paws look worse week after week, a video visit can catch the pattern before it becomes a limp.

Book a vet visit

Unlimited free vet visits with membership. Plus $50 off your first prescription in California.

FAQ

How do I protect my dog's paws in cold weather?

Wash and dry the paws after every walk, check for cracks and redness, and use vet-approved balm or booties if your dog accepts them (ASPCA, VCA).

Is road salt bad for dogs?

It can be. Salt-based de-icers dry out paw pads and can be toxic if a dog licks them off (VCA).

Is antifreeze poisonous to dogs and cats?

Yes. The ASPCA calls it lethal for dogs and cats, and says it tastes sweet. Go to an ER vet right away and call 888-426-4435. Do not wait for signs.

How cold is too cold for dogs?

There is no one number for every dog (AKC). Small, senior, young and short-coated dogs lose body heat faster, and shivering is an early sign.

Can a vet look at my dog's cracked paw over video?

For a dry or cracked pad that is not bleeding, or a dog who keeps licking a paw, often yes. Deep cuts, heavy bleeding or a dog who will not use a leg need a clinic or an ER. Video visits are California only for now.

Sources

ASPCA, "Digging Deeper: Getting the Facts on the Dangers of Antifreeze and Your Pets": https://www.aspca.org/news/digging-deeper-getting-facts-dangers-antifreeze-and-your-pets
ASPCA, Cold Weather Safety Tips: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
ASPCA Animal Poison Control, 888-426-4435: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
VCA Animal Hospitals, "How to keep your dog's paws safe in winter": https://vcahospitals.com/resources/lifestyle-dog/hazards-safety/dog-be-careful-with-ice-melt
VCA Animal Hospitals, "Cats, cars and cold weather safety": https://vcahospitals.com/resources/lifestyle-cat/hazards-safety/cats-cars-and-cold-weather-safety
American Kennel Club, "Antifreeze poisoning in dogs": https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/antifreeze-poisoning-in-dogs/
American Kennel Club, "Hypothermia in dogs: how cold is too cold?": https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hypothermia-in-dogs-how-cold-is-too-cold/