Keeping dogs, cats, and pets safe in snow and cold
If it is too cold for you to stand outside without a coat, it is too cold for most pets to stay outdoors. Even thick-coated dogs suffer painful chemical burns on their bare paw pads from salted sidewalks.
If you only do three things
- Wipe your dog's paws with a warm, damp towel after EVERY walk on salted sidewalks before they can lick the toxic de-icing chemicals off their feet.
- Tap loudly on your car hood before starting the engine on cold mornings—stray and outdoor cats crawl up next to warm engine blocks to sleep.
- Clean up any green, pink, or yellow car antifreeze drips immediately; ethylene glycol tastes sweet to pets and just one teaspoon can be fatal.
Road salt burns and ice balls on dog paws
Sidewalk rock salt and chemical ice melts sting bare paw pads, cause dry cracking, and cause vomiting or kidney irritation when dogs lick their paws clean inside the house.
If your dog suddenly starts limping or holding one paw up during a winter walk, it is usually either stinging road salt or a hard ball of ice frozen into the fur between their toe pads.
- Before the walk: Rub a thin layer of pet-safe paw wax (like Musher's Secret) or plain Vaseline/petroleum jelly onto their paw pads and between their toes to create a barrier against salt and snowballs.
- After the walk: Keep a shallow tub of warm water and a towel right inside the door to dip and dry all four paws immediately.
- Short-haired, small, senior, or thin dogs (Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, French Bulldogs, Pit Bulls) need a dry fleece or water-resistant dog coat whenever temperatures drop below 32°F (0°C).
Related guides
- Frostbite and hypothermia first aid: Human cold safety and emergency signs.
- Winter emergency supply list: Checklist for home, car, and pet winter kits.