Paws for the north

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

I have heard a tale that if you put vaseline on your dogs pads before they go out in the cold snow - or immediately after, this will help their pads from drying and cracking. My worry is them licking at the vaseline. Has anyone else from our colder states done this? Any other suggestions or products that are out there?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's a link that would support using vaseline......

http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/dogs/dog-paw-care.aspx

Guinness's pads are already starting to look pretty dry, so I may give it a try. I think for the serious snow days I may also resort to using the booties, although I'm sure he'll hate them.

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

They got used to having backpacks on for their walks, I guess it will take a few times to get used to booties if we want to do go that route. Thanks for the link! When you google it, you get the "do it" or "don't do it" and have to guess.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting reference. I use vaseline on my own "paws" in the winter.

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

I use it too! Especially on my nose! It gets so raw from blowing it all the time :-) I tend to not try to lick it though :-)
I did try to put some on Daisy while she was sleeping - she immediately was wondering what the heck I was doing and I had to shoo her away from her paw - I guess I need an e-collar!

[Kyoko]

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art26066.asp

I saw this. I am thinking about getting them boots this year.

[Leslie C.]

Here is something to consider exploring . . . I have used Press N Seal food wrap on my other dog's paws before when I wanted to reduce the mud that came into my house from my backyard. My dog tolerated this well and I was able to wrap in such a way that it would stay on for her quick trips outside. I would put her paw in the center of a sheet, pull the sides up around the lower part of her leg and wrap in a clockwise manner to self stick the Press N seal material onto itself. I would take these off as soon as she would come in and toss away, so there was no risk in her eating the plastic. I don't recall trying it in the snow . . . but it worked well on rainy, muddy days.
Good luck. ~Leslie

[Kyoko]

This is a great idea...

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

Has anyone used Mushers Wax?

[Robin, dalai, and Parker]

I am having this problem with Dalai's paws, but they are very dry now from jogging with my daughter who was home on spring break. Dalai's gets exercise every day but I think from running on concrete for extended periods of time has caused her paws to be quite dry. She has been licking them alot. So I took your suggestion and put vaseline on her paws, with socks, and also her cone. I have uploaded a picture for you to view.

[F, Calla & Luca]

She looks like she's had major surgery. Let us know how the paws do.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Poor Dalai. What she has to endure to keep her figure.