Cold Weather Ignorance

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Winter is coming! (any Game of Throne fans out there??)

Although in middle Tennessee, I don't typically see winters that are too terrible, my boyfriend lives in Columbus, Ohio and the winter there last year was terrible. It seemed that the snow/ice/salt/chemical combo started to bother Ragley's paws on walks, causing pain and discomfort, and I also worried that she may have been too cold by the end of our walks. The weather last year got down to -17 wind chill at times while we were visiting and rumor has it that this year will be just as bad. 

I know some of the "rules of thumb" about hot weather (testing your own feet on hot pavement, etc), but with cold weather, I am a little helpless. At what point does the dog need booties and around what temperature do you feel some sort of insulation is recommended? She typically has around 2-3" of hair, but with no undercoat, I worry that the wind cuts right through to her skin. She loves to play in the snow and I love doing things outdoors with her so I'd like to be prepared for our time up there this winter.

Thank you!

A pic from last winter:

[Sue]

If it is too cold they usually start limping and holding up their paws.

Also there is a problem with ice balls in between the toes that cause issues.

I've never used coats of any kind. Kramer would be awfully hot in one.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

That's exactly how she would start to act. I would pause periodically to free the ice balls, but I think her actual paw pads were causing her discomfort

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

We use the Ruffwear boots (not the polar ones, the regular short vibram soled boots) they help tremendously with the paw snow balls and with the salt and chemicals, etc. Other than that we haven't been doing anything and she frolics around like crazy! I honestly think George could use a coat, (I've been eyeing the ruffwear fleece coat) but she's cut shorter than your Ragley and she's fine for about 20 ish minutes before she's ready to head inside. 

In conclusion, I recommend the boots. They also come in handy when its super hot outside and we want to take her to the art fair or a music festival with a lot of pavement. OR if we take her hiking. We get a lot of use out of those boots! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

You just need to be really aware of what is going on with her feet and act accordingly.  We do not have hot or cold weather here, but I do take the dogs out sometimes on the BTL (bike tow leash) and paved roads or concrete are really hard on their pads.  We usually are on dirt trails, but just remain aware of their feet.  I had an airedale when I was in college and she loved to chase my bike on trails in the park.  They (airedales) also are very pain impervious and she never complained but one day I got home and checked her pads and they were cracked.  I felt terrible.  Also my poodle used to go skiing with us (in Germany) and he would get ice balls between his toes.  I have never used booties, but a nice massage of the pads with vaseline after a romp outdoors seems to be appreciated.

[Shoney & Ruby]

You address one of my worries/concerns about our new puppy coming in December. I'm thinking about getting some booties for her, not worried so much about her coat, as her feet--frostbite and discomfort. Do they make Uggs for dogs? They would match Ragley beautifully.

Great photo of Ragley!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Okay, there you have a good project.  Doggie Uggs are a great idea.  And a fashion statement.  Go for it.

[Jess & Stewart]

There are UGGS for dogs. They sell "PUGZ" at Bed Bath & Beyond. I will probably get Stew at least some boots this year so when he runs around at my Dads, his feet are protected. He LOVES the snow & would stay out in it all day if I'd let him.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004C87KSQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416246...

[Brittney & Cally]

My vet said when it is ten degrees is when I should stop taking Cally for walks and I might as well get boots not only to protect her paws but to help with the snow balls that hurt. I also went ahead and got a coat just to keep the snow balls off her back when she rolls upside down. So far so good on our first snow day! BTW ordering the boots today.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Thanks- the 10 degrees marker is helpful. Those snow(ice)balls always seem so painful :( Where did you get your coat?

[Brittney & Cally]

I got both coats from petsmart! Our good old Chewy.com does not sell apparel! ;) one of them is by Martha Stewart. It is the colors of my school! I also got a lighter one because I am addicted to shopping for her, lol!
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=featured-shops%2Fdog%2Fmartha-stewa... here is the link. Cally is an XL if that helps with sizing.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I have no advice to offer because I don't live in a place that gets super cold. 

However, I am a GoT fan... for the books though.

[Donna K & Quincy]

We sometimes use boots, depending on the the snow. If it's the sticky, make snowballs snow we use the Muttluks boots, not so much for the cold but to keep those really uncomfortable ice and snowballs that build up between the paw pads.  I've tried the Paw Protector products and they don't seem to help much and they are really greasy. Quincy is not too fond of getting his boots put on but they don't slow him down any once they are in place. LOL, you don't want to have to resort to what my DH did once when Quincy had an ice ball that was really bothering him and he couldn't chew off. DH also couldn't get it off with his fingers so he chewed it off for him. Yuk, but you know we'd all do anything for our doodles but I'm not sure I would have done that. :>)