Your dog needs daily walks to stay healthy and content, even when winter makes every step outside feel less appealing. Cold air, slippery pavements, and road salt covering every surface don’t stop your dog from needing exercise and mental stimulation.
While your dog may appear unaffected by the cold, their paws can be vulnerable to winter conditions. Cold temperatures, icy pavements, road salt, and grit can dry out paw pads. Over time, this may contribute to cracked dog paws that become sore, sensitive, and painful. Without attention, these cracks can deepen, bleed, or become infected.
At Company of Animals, we believe paw care deserves as much attention as coat care year-round, with particular attention during winter months. Winter paw care doesn’t require complicated routines-just the right habits, appropriate products, and consistency.
This blog explains why paws crack in winter, how to protect them during daily walks, and how to build a practical cold weather paw routine that keeps your dog comfortable throughout the season. While this blog focuses on winter care, remember that paw protection is important in summer too-hot pavements can cause similar damage.
Why Do Dogs’ Paws Crack During Winter?
Your dog’s paw pads are naturally tough, but winter creates conditions that can overwhelm even healthy paws. Understanding the causes helps you protect them effectively.
Salt, Ice & Grit Exposure
Road salt and grit are among the biggest causes of cracked dog paws in winter. These substances prevent slips on pavements but are extremely drying to paw pads. Salt draws moisture from the skin, making pads hard, rough, and prone to cracking.
Grit adds another challenge. Small abrasive particles create tiny surface cuts that weaken the pad. When salt settles into those abrasions, discomfort builds quickly.
Dogs often lick their paws after walking, attempting to soothe the discomfort, but this can worsen the condition. Daily paw care during winter, including cleaning paws after walks with dog wipes, helps prevent this cycle.
Cold Weather & Low Moisture Levels
Cold air contains less moisture, affecting your dog’s skin just as it affects yours. Paw pads lose their natural oils more quickly in winter, making them less flexible and more likely to crack.
Indoor heating compounds the problem. While it keeps homes warm, it dries out the air, pulling moisture from your dog’s skin and paws even during rest. This dryness can quickly progress to discomfort without regular application of moisturising paw products.
Frequent Outdoor Walks in Harsh Conditions
Dogs still require exercise in winter, but frequent walks on frozen or salted surfaces increase wear and tear. Long walks on harsh surfaces without proper paw protection can turn mild dryness into painful cracks, particularly in extremely cold conditions.
Consistent routines, including post-walk cleaning with dog wipes, make a substantial difference for your dog during colder months.
How to Protect Dog Paws During Winter Walks
Preventing cracked dog paws is considerably easier than treating them. Here’s how to protect your dog’s paws during winter walks:
Check Pavements & Snowy Surfaces Before Walking
Assess the conditions before heading out. Are pavements heavily salted? Is the snow icy or slushy? These surfaces can be particularly tough on paws.
Choose grassy paths, woodland trails, or areas with less grit whenever possible. These winter dog walking tips help reduce exposure and support better dog paw protection.
Apply a Protective Layer Before Walks
One effective approach to winter damage prevention is applying a protective barrier to your dog’s paws before going outside.
Paw butter creates a nourishing shield between your dog’s paws and the elements. The rich formula helps lock in moisture while forming a barrier against salt and grit. It absorbs well, leaves no residue, and applies easily even when your dog is eager to get out the door.
Regular use can substantially reduce the risk of cracked dog paws throughout winter.
Clean Paws Immediately After Walks
Post-walk cleaning is essential during winter months. Salt, grit, and dirt continue causing damage after you’re home unless removed.
Dog wipes make post-walk clean-ups quick and straightforward. With a few swipes, they remove residue from pads and between toes, reducing discomfort and supporting paw health.
Moisturising Dry Paw Pads with Pet Head
Even with protection, winter conditions can still dry out paws. This is where targeted moisturising becomes important.
Paw Butter for Daily Support
Regular paw butter application supports dry or damaged pads throughout the year. Pet Head On All Paws Paw Butter is designed for frequent use. With moisturizing ingredients including safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil, olive fruit oil, shea butter, oatmeal extract, coconut oil, and aloe vera, it delivers deep hydration without clogging pores or leaving residue.
While this blog focuses on winter use, paw butter is an all-year-round product – equally valuable for protecting paws from hot summer pavements as it is for winter salt and ice.
Massage a pea-sized amount into each pad, paying attention to any rough or flaky areas. This moisturizes while improving circulation and helps you spot early signs of damage.
Consistent use helps strengthen paw pads and reduce sensitivity over time.
When to Increase Frequency During Winter
If your dog walks daily on salted pavements or spends significant time outdoors during winter, their paws may need more frequent moisturizing. Dogs with naturally dry skin or senior dogs can also benefit from increased application.
Watch for signs like increased licking, rough texture, or visible cracks. These indicate a need to adjust your moisturizing routine.
Preparing Your Dog for Paw Care
Not all dogs are comfortable having their paws handled. If your dog hasn’t experienced regular paw care before, they may resist or pull away. Building positive associations early makes winter paw care much easier for both of you.
Start by simply touching one paw and immediately offering a high-value treat. Repeat this over several sessions before progressing to gentle handling of the pads. Keep early sessions brief-30 seconds is enough to start. Always end on a positive note, even if you’ve only managed to touch one paw.
Once your dog accepts paw touching calmly, gradually introduce the wiping motion with a dry cloth, then progress to using dog wipes. The same approach works for paw butter application-let your dog sniff the product first, apply a tiny amount to one pad, reward generously, and build from there.
Practice when your dog is naturally calm and relaxed. Trying to handle paws when they’re excited or anxious makes the process harder for everyone. Consistency matters more than speed-a few minutes of positive paw handling several times a week builds lasting comfort.
Winter Grooming Routine for Paw Health
Here’s a practical winter dog care routine that keeps paws healthy. If your dog is new to paw care, introduce each step gradually using the approach outlined above.
Moisturise Before Walks for Protection
Apply paw butter to each paw before heading out. This creates a protective layer that helps shield paws from salt and grit. Massage it in gently, rewarding your dog throughout the process if they’re still building tolerance for paw handling.
After applying paw butter, particularly to young or energetic dogs, paws may be slightly slippery on smooth flooring such as tiles or wood. Allow a few minutes for initial absorption, or apply the product in a carpeted area where your dog can settle.
Clean Between Toes to Remove Residue
Salt and grit accumulate between toes. Regular cleaning with dog wipes after walks helps prevent buildup that can lead to discomfort.
If your dog finds paw cleaning challenging, keep sessions calm and reward-focused. A quick clean followed by a treat helps your dog accept paw care as part of daily routine.
Follow up with Pet Head’s paw butter for moisturisation.
Moisturise Paws at Night
Applying paw butter at night allows time for absorption while your dog rests. This timing also reduces the likelihood of your dog licking the product before it has absorbed.
Take a small amount and massage it in thoroughly. Consistency matters more than quantity.
Pet Head On All Paws Paw Butter is formulated with cosmetic-grade ingredients. If your dog licks a small amount, there’s generally no cause for concern. However, if your dog consumes a large quantity, monitor them and contact your vet if you notice any unusual behaviour or digestive upset.
When to See a Vet About Cracked Paws
While most cases of cracked dog paws can be managed at home with appropriate care and products, some signs require veterinary attention:
Cracks That Bleed or Cause Discomfort
When cracks are deep, bloody, or causing noticeable pain, contact your vet. Without treatment, these wounds can become infected.
Persistent Limping or Licking
If your dog constantly attends to their paws or limps, they’re experiencing discomfort. Visit your vet for a thorough examination.
Redness, Heat, or Discharge
Any signs of redness, heat, or discharge around paws warrant concern. These could indicate infection and require veterinary intervention.
Additional Winter Care Essentials
Keeping your dog comfortable from nose to tail requires more than paw care alone. Skin, coat, and paws are interconnected-when one is out of balance, others often follow. These winter care essentials help reduce dryness and support daily comfort:
Dog Wipes
Winter walks rarely end cleanly. Salt, slush, mud, and grit cling to paws and lower legs. Left on the skin, they quickly dry out paw pads and cause discomfort.
Pet Head Quick Fix Dog Wipes are designed for everyday use and make post-walk clean-ups efficient. A few gentle wipes remove salt and dirt before they damage paw pads, helping prevent cracked dog paws from developing.
For dogs with dry or sensitive skin, Sensitive Soul Wipes offer a gentler alternative. Made with carefully selected ingredients, these wipes soothe skin while removing dirt without stripping natural oils. They’re particularly suitable for winter when cold, dry air and indoor heating affect skin and coat condition.
Dog wipes are also practical for dogs who dislike having their paws handled. They’re quick, straightforward, and easy to use anywhere, making them essential for daily paw care during colder months.
Dog Sprays
Winter baths present challenges. Freezing air, slow drying times, and already-dry skin mean frequent washing does more harm than good. Yet dogs seem to find every muddy patch available. Dog sprays solve this problem without requiring full baths.
Pet Head dog sprays offer waterless cleaning that refreshes the coat without bathing. They help lift light dirt, neutralise odours, and keep coats fresh between washes-ideal for winter when it’s cold and your dog has found something to roll in.
Pet Head offers several dog sprays based on your dog’s needs:
- Quick Fix Spray for dogs with normal skin
- Sensitive Soul Spray for dogs with dry or sensitive skin
- Mucky Pup Spray for puppies
- Ditch the Dirt Spray for strong odours
- Furtastic Spray for long coat breeds
When used alongside regular brushing, dog sprays support winter dog grooming by keeping coats manageable and reducing dirt buildup that can affect skin. They’re especially useful for dogs who dislike baths or for busy days when time is short.
Dog Coat Refresher
For dogs who seem to attract mud, moisture, and unusual odours throughout winter, Pet Head’s Ultimutt Clean Coat Refresher provides practical relief.
Designed for between washes, this dog coat refresher contains Saccharomyces ferment, a natural deodoriser that addresses odours at their source rather than masking them. It cleans, deodorises, and conditions the coat in one step, lifting dirt, grease, and grime while adding lightweight hydration.
The result is fur that feels soft, fresh, and easier to manage without weighing the coat down. Its fresh tropical scent lingers pleasantly while the carefully selected ingredients help keep even the muddiest dogs smelling clean.
Dog Coat Refresher suits all coat types and works particularly well for dogs with thick coats, oily fur, or active lifestyles. Dogs who swim frequently or enjoy rolling in interesting substances benefit most. Keeping the coat clean and conditioned helps support skin health too, which reduces the risk of dryness affecting problem areas like paws.
Oatmeal Soothing Cream
Winter can be particularly uncomfortable for dogs with sensitive or reactive skin. Cold air, salt exposure, and dry indoor environments can all trigger discomfort, leaving skin feeling tight or uncomfortable.
Oatmeal Soothing Cream is designed to calm and nourish these areas, providing targeted support where needed most. It contains colloidal oatmeal, cocoa butter, and green tea extract-ingredients that soothe skin and support the skin’s natural barrier.
It works well on winter trouble spots like elbows, bellies, and areas that contact cold or damp ground. While it doesn’t replace a paw moisturiser, it fits into your overall winter dog grooming routine, giving sensitive skin extra support when winter conditions intensify.
Sensitive Soul Shampoo & Conditioner
When winter turns dry skin into a regular concern, bath time becomes more important. Harsh shampoos worsen the problem by stripping natural oils, leaving skin feeling tighter and more uncomfortable. A gentle, supportive routine is essential.
Sensitive Soul Shampoo is formulated for dogs with dry or sensitive skin. It cleans thoroughly without disrupting the skin’s natural balance, helping address discomfort brought on by winter dryness.
Follow with Sensitive Soul Dog Conditioner for additional support. Conditioning helps lock in moisture, soothe skin, and leave the coat soft and comfortable. Together, this dog shampoo and conditioner combination supports skin health during winter and reduces the risk of ongoing dryness that can affect paws and body.
Using gentle, skin-focused products during winter dog grooming helps create a foundation for healthy skin, making daily paw care more effective and longer-lasting.
Final Thoughts
Winter doesn’t mean accepting sore, cracked dog paws. With appropriate winter paw care routines, thoughtful dog paw protection, and reliable moisturising products from Pet Head, you can keep your dog comfortable throughout the season.
A few minutes of daily paw care makes a substantial difference. Your dog enjoys happier walks, healthier paws, and better comfort when winter arrives.
About Pet Head Health
Pet Head Health products are developed by the veterinary and behaviour experts at Company of Animals, led by Dr Emily Mugford BVetMed MRCVS. Using carefully selected ingredients and minimal formulations, our products support all aspects of your dog’s health with gentle but effective care. All Pet Head Health products are vegan, pH balanced, and free from artificial fragrances or colours.
FAQs
What causes cracked dog paws in winter?
Cracked dog paws are usually caused by a combination of cold weather, low humidity, and exposure to salt, ice, and grit during walks.
How can I protect my dog’s paws from salt and snow?
Apply protective paw butter before walking, avoid heavily salted areas when possible, and always clean paws using dog wipes after walking.
How often should I moisturise my dog’s paws?
Most dogs benefit from daily moisturising during winter. In harsh conditions, applying paw moisturiser twice daily may be helpful.
Is paw butter safe to use daily?
Yes. Pet Head On All Paws Paw Butter is designed for regular use and helps maintain long-term paw health.
How do I know if my dog’s paws are too dry?
Signs include rough texture, flaking, visible cracks, excessive licking, or sensitivity during walks.
When should I see a vet for cracked paws?
If cracks bleed, cause pain, or show signs of infection like redness or discharge, consult your vet promptly.
Can grooming routines prevent paw cracking?
Yes. Regular winter dog grooming, including cleaning, moisturising, and coat care, helps prevent dryness and damage.
Can I use human moisturisers on my dog’s paws?
No. Human products aren’t formulated for dogs and can disrupt skin balance. Always use dog-specific moisturising paw products.