Ice balling on feet

[OodlesOfNoodles]

Does anyone happen to have any tips or tricks for avoiding the build-up of ice on the dog's feet, other than booties? In his first real foray into the snow this year, he was getting a lot of ice balls particular in between the toes and in between the pads at the bottom of his feet, and kept dropping down to chew his feet. He finally let me help as I could get them off faster, but I know it was painful.

What to you guys use? Or are booties the only real way of avoiding it?

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

Elvis doesn't really seem to react to the ice balls while he's still outside playing, but once he comes back inside they really bother him. We just dip his feet in a bowl of warm water. Last year we even had good results using a spray bottle and just spritzing warm (not hot) water on his feet. We also sprayed his feathers and back legs to help the snow melt faster.

Edited to add that we also keep his foot fur trimmed really, really short in the winter. I even hack off some of his arm feathering to help.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

What about socks for when they go out?

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

I know there are balms you can put on their feet for snow, have you tried any of those?

 

[jacqueline]

I use johnson baby oil , I have a spray bottle of it , spray the feathers and feet , rub it in a little , works well for Aslan , does not seem to leave any oily residue ,
Jacqui,x

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

Elvis doesn't really seem to react to the ice balls while he's still outside playing, but once he comes back inside they really bother him. We just dip his feet in a bowl of warm water. Last year we even had good results using a spray bottle and just spritzing warm (not hot) water on his feet. We also sprayed his feathers and back legs to help the snow melt faster.

Edited to add that we also keep his foot fur trimmed really, really short in the winter. I even hack off some of his arm feathering to help.

Yes, we do the warm water dip when we get inside, he just seemed really bothered by the balls forming today while he was out playing (to be fair, we were out for around an hour, and it was likely the last half of that that he seemed to notice them).

We do keep the fur on the bottom trimmed, but I may need to get in there and hack away a little more

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

What about socks for when they go out?

The 20 minute wrestling session that's required in order for us to get them on is is why I'm looking for an alternative to boots/socks; it's exhausting haha!

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

I know there are balms you can put on their feet for snow, have you tried any of those?

Thanks for that - I was under the assumption that the balms only helped the pads from cracking, etc, but I've looked into it a little more since you suggested it and it looks like at least Musher's Secret says it helps prevent balling as well.

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

I use johnson baby oil , I have a spray bottle of it , spray the feathers and feet , rub it in a little , works well for Aslan , does not seem to leave any oily residue ,
Jacqui,x

Interesting, I never thought of baby oil; I could definitely see how it would work as a repellant to the water. May need to give this a try if I can't get my hands on any wax products today - thanks!

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

We just keep the fur trimmed pretty short. If we're outside for a long time, we'll stop for a break and I'll pull out the big chunks of snow for her. She lets me easily - it takes 30 seconds. Just keep sensitizing him to having his feet touched.

Honestly most of the time outside its not a problem - the powdery snow doesn't ball up between the toes as much. The wet stuff does and we watch that carefully.

Then we do the warm water when she comes in.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

People hear swear by Mushers Secret and Utter (Bag) Balm in the past, as well as a good pad trimming. I was less than $10 away from making a recent minimum order with Foster and Smith recently, so I got a small jar. I have not tried it yet. I need to trim Snuffles pads before I try it. I got this a few days ago in Facebook. Not sure what they are referring to, and no answer to my question of clarification yet. "the next time we went out I made a batch of conditioner spray with a teaspoon of Loreal's tangle serum & spray their feet & feathering & no more snow balls. Any snow that did stick blew right off."

 

[RiverTheNewf]

Mushers Secret! Just shove a glob into the hollow and it will stop the ice from building up. You have to reapply if you're out for a long time but it works. Most holistic/boutique type pet stores have it, not sure about chain stores. Of course we have a game where River likes me to pick out the ice balls then feed them to her... :crazy:

 

[NinaA]

I never considered this to be a problem before, but at the rate the weather is going this year I need to consider this. First order of business, check the feet and trim them and the lower legs - today.

 

[Ksullivan]

I have always kept Sully's trimmed up year round, It is good to keep the snow out, but it is also safer from him sliding if they are wet, or snow in them.

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

Thanks! Feet have been trimmed and Musher's Secret ordered. Down side is when I was cleaning up the feet I did a little nail trim and caught the quick for the first time ever :grrr: so the big lug hasn't even been able to get back out for a good play yet haha...that's one way to solve the problem I suppose :run:

 

[Lkorzen]

Mushers Secret works well for us...but it is a time consuming process with 4 newfs. I am usually too exhausted to walk after doing 16 paws!

 

[Whybu1]

Interesting, I never thought of baby oil; I could definitely see how it would work as a repellant to the water. May need to give this a try if I can't get my hands on any wax products today - thanks!

Jeepers use baby oil to spray on undersides of fenders to keep mud and snow from building up.

 

[MC Sullivan]

I have used Musher's Secret but you need to be careful if you have tile or any other potentially slick flooring. It was recommended that you wipe their feet after use to avoid slipping on indoor floors. I like the idea of a spritz bottle with baby oil or a detangler.