Comments on: Winter Care for Your Dog’s Skin, Coat and Paws

By: Mary Haight

Mary Haight — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:32:39 +0000

Good reminders, Jim! I try to get the boots on Tashi but some days we need to get out quickly, so it's not always possible. On those days, I use a product I did a review on...it's pretty useful, http://www.pawplunger.com. It has soft bristles on the inside, comes in three sizes, is cup shaped and you can keep it by the door, use plain warm water or add soap. But if you do add soap, I'd get two plungers to ensure you get rid of all the soap residue which can otherwise cause problems. You don't want your dog licking dried soap. I still check in-between all his toes for salt crystals.

By: Karen Friesecke

Karen Friesecke — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:40:25 +0000

Jersey has a pretty good diet, so dry flaky skin isn't a problem, but I do trim her paw hair down a little so that she doesn't get snow clumping.

By: su_ecopup

su_ecopup — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:29:39 +0000

For you, Zeus and Sweety? Of course!

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:40:16 +0000

Exactly, Jim!! It was hilarious watching him walk, but at some point the look of disgust on Ty's face out-weighted any potential benefits.

By: Jim (Doggybytes.ca)

Jim (Doggybytes.ca) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:52:31 +0000

Bag Balm? LOL

By: Jim (Doggybytes.ca)

Jim (Doggybytes.ca) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:47:36 +0000

Next year I'm going to get Zeus and Sweety raincoats. I'm hoping Su from Ecopup Dog Clothing will help me out there. Su???? =)

By: Jim (Doggybytes.ca)

Jim (Doggybytes.ca) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:45:09 +0000

I bought boots for Zack & Sweety when I was in Calgary last winter. It was hilarious watching them trying to walk, doing the “high-step”. They were really difficult to keep on their feet, and that with their hatred of them, we stopped using them. $120 (or something like that) down the drain.

By: Rod@GoPetFriendly

Rod@GoPetFriendly — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:46:12 +0000

Ty looked cute in the boots, and he did adapt to them pretty quickly (after giving me the wth is this look). And Amy is right. The boots stayed on as long as he walked … but as soon as he and Buster started playing and running, the boots would come of 1 by 1 by 1 by 1. We also tried “bag balm” – an ointment used on the udders of dairy cows. This seemed to provide some relief as well.

By: Michele C. Hollow

Michele C. Hollow — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:40:58 +0000

Glad you mentioned boots. While I wouldn't dress up a dog, I would let him wear a coat or sweater and boots in the winter.

By: robfdavis

robfdavis — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:20:15 +0000

Thank you for the recommendations on cleaning their paws with warm water. I haven't walked them much on the roads, just playing in the back yard. I was worried about all that salt and sand. I think I had a moment and forgot that I can wash their feet without giving them a whole bath! LOL Cute picture in the article too.