The Healthy Way For Your Dog to Play in Snow
Posted February 9, 2010 
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More snow is on the way along with the snow already on the ground. While we beagles and fellow dogs are excited about going out and playing in snow, we need to think about and be careful about our care when outside in the snow.
What you may not be aware of, unless your dog holds up a paw for you, is that the pads of a dog’s feet take a major beating in the cold weather. For my fellow beagle and dog owners, the following are important points to keep in mind when going out in the snow:
- What you may not be aware of, unless your dog holds up a paw for you, is that the pads of a dog’s feet take a major beating in the cold weather. Along with the winter weather, chemicals and salt has direct contact with your dog’s paws. Take the time to wash your dog’s paws, paying special attention to the cracks between the paws, with a washcloth or warm bowl of soapy water to wash away potential health problems.
- After washing the paws, apply Vaseline on your dog’s paws to prevent chapping, cracking, and soreness. You can also apply Vaseline before your dog goes outline to act as a insulator against the winter weather.
- Pay attention to remove any snow or ice that builds up on your dog. Trim any long hair from the legs that touches the ground. Also, trim any hair from between the dog’s toes; ice loves to collect on this hair. Trim the hair so that it does not hang below the foot pad.
- Be sure to keep the nails trimmed, because long nails actually cause the toes to separate, allowing ice and salt to become trapped between them.
- You can also provide your dogs with doggie booties. Neoprene boots seem to be the most effective.
These are just some winter health ideas to keep your beagle or dog healthy, happy, and safe during our record setting winter.
