Paw Grooming in Winter

[Jim]

Hello all,
I am writing to see what most are doing to groom their Newfs paws in winter time. My wife and I have 1) tried growing out the pad fur but then snow balls develop between the toes and 2) cut the pad fur close to the pads to prevent the snow balls but now that it is -15 F, Nellie (our newf)seems uncomfortable in that she is sitting with her paws off the ground, alternating holding them off the ground, etc...
Any thoughts would be appreciated,
Thank you,
Jim

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Ruff Wear makes this: http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Polar-Trex which are wee bit pricey, but I do know that Ruff Wear boots are extremely well made. A cheaper option would be this: http://www.ultrapaws.com/Ultra-Paws-Snow--Go-Boots/productinfo/306/ I've used Ultra Paws Durable and Rugged brand boots and have no compliants whatsoever, however I have no experience with this boot. You may also want to look at this: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_4zgz1v0rc6_b

 

[new_2_newf]

you could also try something like Musher's Secret on her paws to see if that helps. We have booties for when it's really cold or we are walking through crusty snow.

 

[Sierra Newfs]

Hi Jim,

I don't know if this article will make you feel any better, but it's "Dog Feet Have Special Blood Vessels That Protect Them From Cold" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/dog-feet_n_1204709.html

We keep the bottom of our dogs' feet trimmed flush with their pads here and everyone seems comfortable and it provides good traction indoors. If that isn't working for Nellie boots may be worth looking into. In addition to the great links already provided, consider https://www.dogbooties.com/shop/category/dog-booties/ or other sites that cater to mushers. With mushers it's a given they'll never return with as many booties as they start with and the booties they use tend towards functional and economical.

Out of curiosity, does Nellie alternate between lifting up all four paws or just between her front two?

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

We also keep the fut trimmed short on the bottom (always) and trim the feathers shorter in the winter.

Is he picking up her paws due to the cold, or does she get ice balls in them that hurt? If its the ice balls, the boots should help.

I dip Maggie's feet in warm water when she comes in from the snow to melt all the ice balls.

 

[plafleursr]

Do you think at -15 F, it maybe a bit too cold ?? I know when like black top is hot will burn feet, so they will lift feet.

 

[victoria1140]

Also you could try some paws wax,may help a little

 

[Joan Fisher]

It was that cold here this past week and it will be again this week. I use Paw Magic if there's sticky snow but generally unless there's snowballs Tiika and Splash don't seem to mind the temperature. I keep their paws trimmed short all winter. My friend's Westie lifts her paws but not if she has Paw Magic on. It's probably similar to Musher's Secret.

 

[new_2_newf]

I have used and love mushers secret, but I stock up on the cheaper wax stuff from the local pet store and always have it in my car for the park peeps that run into issues. It seems to help a little, but mostly it helps keep the snow balls from forming in the feet. Sulley the Delicate Princess doesn't like snowballs in his toes, or feathers, or the though that there might be snow in any of those places, so he likes to lay down every 3 or 4 steps and lick everything to make sure it's ok. So if we want to go anywhere there is loose snow (like a hike on a snow shoe trail) he gets donned in black tights to cover his feathers, booties to cover and protect his feet, and his tail and belly get sprayed down with ice on ice or cowboy magic. This allows us to move at a reasonable pace and get home before dark. Total. Princess.

 

[CMDRTED]

I trim Pads and have used Mushers, which I like.