With the UK in the grip of freezing temperatures we are warning dog owners that grit can cause burns and sores on your dog’s paw pads, amongst other complications – here’s how to prevent harm to your dog’s paws.
Rock salt is a mixture of salt and grit and this is what is commonly used to de-ice paths and roads during the winter. However, the rock salt element can be very dangerous to our four-legged family members.
Grit can cause burns or sores on paw pads
Walking on grit can sadly cause burns or sores on paws. This is due to the harshness of the chemicals used in the grit, so if possible, we recommend walking your dog in places where the paths haven’t been gritted such as a field or park.
Snow and ice can dry out paw pads leading to cracks
It is important to know that snow and ice can dry out your dog’s paw pads, causing them to be chapped and potentially crack. This is due to the prolonged time that they spend walking in conditions where their paws are susceptible to the cold. A dog needs a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day (depending on the size and breed), and so these 30 minutes where they are walking on the cold snow can cause dry, cracked paws.
If grit is ingested, it can be poisonous
Even a very small amount of pure rock salt can be dangerous to your dog if it is ingested. You may notice after walking your dog through grit it may be irritating their paws when you get home. You may notice them chewing and licking to get the unfamiliar substance off. If they ingest the rock salt it can unfortunately cause poisoning which can manifest itself in several ways. Some symptoms of poisoning to look out for are:
- Unusual sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Breathing difficulties
- Drinking a lot more water, being very thirsty
- Seizures
If your dog is displaying these symptoms, contact your vet immediately, as poisoning from rock salt can lead to kidney failure. To help prevent poisoning, it is absolutely vital that you thoroughly wash your dog’s paws and other areas where there may be grit such as their legs and stomach with warm water and dog shampoo. Make sure they are as dry as possible afterwards.
For more general advice on keeping your puppy safe during the winter months click here: Winter advice to keep your puppy safe through the cold season - Forever Puppy