Winter can be just as dangerous to dog’s paws as the summer. The chemical Sodium Chloride which is used to melt ice and snow on most city streets can create serious and painful problems for paws.
“Most ice-melt products are a skin irritant,” says Erika Loftin, a veterinarian and critical care specialist at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. “Depending on the materials used, the chemicals can cause dryness, cracking and even burns to a dog’s pads.”
Equally dangerous is if salt is inadvertently ingested.
“If a dog licks their paws after walking on it, they can ingest the ice-melt chemicals, which can be toxic,” Loftin notes.
City Shoes rubber sole boots keep paws off the sidewalk and away from dangerous chemicals and also prevent snow and ice from gathering between toes which has the potential of leading to frostbite.
