Winter Walks With Your Dog: Salt, Dark, Cold and Ice

The plain version of winter walks with your dog is to keep the loop shorter and to wipe the feet when you get home. Salt, dark, cold and ice are the four problems, and each one has a habit that takes about a minute.

We make single ingredient treats in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and we spend a lot of cold mornings standing outside at shows with a dog or two at our feet. Nothing here is fancy. It is a short list of things to do by the door, on the walk and after it.

Road salt on the sidewalk

Salt is the one most people meet first. Towns spread it on sidewalks and parking lots, and it ends up on the dog's feet whether you step around the white patches or not. The American Kennel Club writes: "However, salt and dirt can accumulate between your dog's toes, around and between their pads, and underneath the nail, leading to irritation."

So the habit is simple. Wipe the feet the same day, every time, and dry them. The ASPCA says: "After each walk, make sure to wash and dry your pet's feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals." A damp towel kept in a basket by the door works fine. Look at the pads while you have a foot in your hand, and look between the toes too.

Some people try booties. If you do, let the dog wear them around the house first and see how the walking looks. Plenty of dogs go without and get a wipe at the door instead. We have a longer page on road salt and the paw check if you want the deep version.

Walking in the dark

In winter the sun goes down while many of us are still at work, so a lot of dog walks happen after dark. This part is just equipment and where you stand.

• A reflective leash or collar shows up in headlights. Some are sewn with reflective thread and some clip on.
• A headlamp or a small flashlight is for you. It lets you see the curb, the ice patch and whatever the dog just picked up.
• Walk where drivers can see you. Pick the lit street over the shortcut, and cross at the corner rather than mid block.

If you only change one thing, make it the light. Hands free is better than a phone flashlight when one hand has a leash and the other has a bag.

When it is cold

We will not give you a temperature number, because dogs differ and so do the people holding the leash. The ASPCA offers a rule that is easy to carry around. It says "Remember, if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside" and that is as close to a number as we get.

For short-haired dogs, the same page says "If your dog is short-haired, consider getting them a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly". We would add only that a coat should fit well and should not slide around while the dog walks.

The easiest adjustment is length. Two short loops with a break in between is a fine day. If the dog slows down or keeps turning toward home, that is a fine place to end the loop.

Ice and snow

Snow looks soft until it packs. The American Kennel Club says: "Snow quickly turns to balls of ice between the pads of your dog's feet." If the dog stops and works at a foot, stop walking and take a look.

Keep the leash on near ice and snow. Everything looks the same under a layer of white, and a dog on a leash stays where you can reach it. On days with ice, pick the route with the fewest icy stretches, even if it is a little longer.

The walk kit for winter walks with your dog

Keep it all in one spot by the door so the winter version of leaving the house takes no thought. Ours is a bin, the same way a car gets a bag of rags in the trunk.

• A towel for feet, kept dry and swapped out when it is not.
• Wipes for the days you are out too long to wait for the towel.
• Bags, with a spare in the coat pocket.
• Treats in a pocket that is easy to reach.

If your dog rides to the trailhead, our page on winter car prep with a dog covers the vehicle side.

The treat for a cold pocket

If you carry treats in the cold, choose ones that do not smear. Our freeze-dried beef heart has one ingredient, beef heart, and it is freeze-dried in small batches in Malvern. The pieces are medium sized and firm, and they snap into small bits quickly. They are non-greasy, so nothing ends up on a glove or in a pocket lining. It is milder than liver.

Reseal the bag after you open it and store it cool and dry. It comes in three bag sizes, so a small bag fits a coat pocket. The rest of our training line is in the training treats collection.

After the walk

Do the same few things every time and they become automatic. Come inside, keep the leash on until the feet are done, and wipe each foot with the towel. Dry between the toes. Then look at the pads for cuts, dry spots or cracks. Last, put the towel where it can dry out.

Wipe the belly and legs if you walked through slush. If the dog has long hair on the feet, check for little frozen clumps and ask whether trimming makes sense for your dog.

Questions

How cold is too cold for a walk?

We do not have a number. Use the ASPCA rule above, keep the walk short, and watch the dog. If you are unsure how much cold your own dog should take, ask your veterinarian.

Do dogs need boots in winter?

Some people use them and plenty do not. If you try boots, let the dog wear them indoors for a few minutes first. If the walking looks odd, skip them and wipe the feet at the door instead.

Should I wipe my dog's feet after every walk?

Yes, on any day there was salt, slush or ice on the ground. It takes a minute with a towel. Dry the feet afterward and look between the toes.

What do I wear to walk a dog in the dark?

Something reflective for the dog and a light for you. A headlamp keeps both hands free. Stay on lit streets and cross at corners.

What do I keep by the door?

A towel, wipes, bags and treats. Put them in one bin so you never hunt for them with the dog already pulling.

How long should a winter walk be?

Long enough that the dog is still moving along and you are comfortable. Two short loops work better than one long one when the ground is icy.