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smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

12/09/2012 11:10 AM
A lot of pad injuries are occurring as of lately with dogs we see often, and it has me thinking about Bella's pads and winter care. This time of year, up here, the temps and terrain can get pretty harsh and pads seem quite prone to cracking or easily tearing due to dryness and sharpness of the ice that can cover the ground. I have seen salvs at the store for pads, but I worry about conditioning too much and softening the natural toughness she has acquired. Any advice or recommendations on the best way to keep her pads winter savy?

mckee.lucie User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:202

12/09/2012 5:10 PM
The only thing we use for our Luna is Mushers Wax - http://www.amazon.com/Mushers-Secret-Pet-Protector-7-Ounce/dp/B0002XIZXY We don't get much snow/ice in seattle, but when we go the mountains or to Eastern Washington where she's running around in a lot of it it keeps her feet well protected and we haven't had any paw problems yet!

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

12/09/2012 8:02 PM
Thanks I will check that out. She does tolerate booties, but at their cost I fear she would just run out of them and lose them one by one in the woods and I am not a fan if just throwing money away lol.

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3164

12/10/2012 3:47 AM
I don't worry too much about their pads if they are running in the woods. But running on the streets is a different issue. We try to rinse their feet in warm water after a street run to remove ice and salt build-up. We don't put anything on their pads unless there is irritation, in which case we use bag balm to help heal it up.

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

Nancy D

No. Lower MI - Gaylord Area

MH
Posts:849

12/10/2012 8:54 AM
Mushers wax does work well. I've also had good luck with the boots. Actually, haven't had a problem with them coming off. A lot of the mushers use them.

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

12/10/2012 9:02 AM
I ordered some of the musher's wax last night. It will go in her stocking lol so we can try it out after Christmas. I do plan to get a pair of booties for street walks, but I just don't trust them to stay on in the woods (plus I'm not as worried about her feet in the woods she tends to stay in the fresh powder and no salt there. The dog park also seems to use minimal salt, but they plow down to ice and the dogs are constantly skidding and sliding around while they play. I think a split or a tear is most apt to happen there. I talked with a musher last year who I remember in passing mentioning they always have spare booties because it is common for the dogs to run off a boot here and there.

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3164

12/10/2012 4:25 PM
We have a place locally that sells them in bulk (and they are not expensive). Our friend's dog wears them bikejoring and running ... http://www.komout.com/p-misc.php

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

12/10/2012 6:03 PM
Thanks, I will check that out too. Most around here are $50+ for ones that would be waterproof and fit her. Today, a lot of dogs were favoring their paws because of the ice chunks that form inbetween the toes when there has been fresh powder. I haven't noticed that to really happen with Bella, but the musher wax is supposed to help with that too.

MeganD

Royal Oak, Michigan

JH
Posts:33

12/14/2012 9:34 PM
Great timing for this topic, as I have been wondering what to do about Bailey's feet when we run and walk on the sidewalks this winter. Our city uses salt on the roads and sidewalks. I am looking at getting these boots for her. https://www.uglydoghunting.com/protective.php Good to know I can use bag balm on her pads, I will also look into the mushers wax.

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

12/14/2012 11:01 PM
I purchased a cheaper pair of booties for street walking. We had a blast having her run around the house in them to get used to them. The Tennessee Walker Horse prance was just a riot. Once we started running around she thought the game was SUPER fun. But, she did run out of one or two several times so they will definitely only be used for low key street walks. Once I use the musher's wax a few times I'll let you know what I think. A lot of salt used up here as well.

DuckFever

Central Oregon

MH
Posts:321

12/16/2012 10:35 AM
I know what you mean, my pup's feet just got shredded yesterday after a chukar hunt on frozen, rocky ground. I think boots are a good idea for winter excursions, until they build up leathery pads.

The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work.

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