Winter Paw Care: Protecting Paws from Grit and Salt

The de-icing grit and salt spread on UK roads and pavements in winter is one of the most common causes of sore, cracked dog paws — it dries the pads out, stings any small cut, and upsets the stomach if your dog licks it off. The fix is a simple three-part routine: protect before the walk, rinse and dry after, and check the pads regularly.

None of it is complicated or expensive, and it heads off the cracked, irritated paws that send a lot of dogs to the vet in January.

Why grit and salt are a problem

Rock salt and grit work by lowering the freezing point of water, which is great for our footing but harsh on paws. The salt is drying and abrasive, so over a winter of daily walks it can leave pads chapped and split. Worse, dogs lick their paws clean afterwards, and swallowed de-icing salt can cause an upset stomach — occasionally a more serious one if a lot is ingested.

Grit also hides sharp edges of frozen ground and the odd bit of broken ice, so cuts are more likely in winter even before the salt gets into them.

The damage builds up quietly across the season — a daily two-minute routine prevents far more than it costs in effort.

Protect before the walk

A barrier layer is the simplest prevention. A good dog paw balm rubbed into the pads before heading out creates a protective film against salt and helps stop drying and cracking. It's quick, most dogs don't mind it, and it works for the dogs that refuse boots entirely.

For dogs facing heavily gritted routes, ice or long walks, boots give the most complete barrier — see our dog boots range. Keeping the fur between the pads trimmed also helps, since it stops grit and snow packing in where it's hard to remove.

Clean and dry after every walk

This is the step that matters most, because it removes the salt before your dog licks it off.

• Rinse the paws in lukewarm water or wipe them thoroughly with dog wipes or a damp cloth, getting between the toes and pads.
• A paw-wash cup makes the job quick — dunk, twist, done — and is far less of a battle than a full bath.
• Dry the paws properly afterwards, as damp between the toes can cause soreness of its own.

For muddier returns, a quick-clean dry foam can freshen the legs and belly without a full wash, which is handy on the days you simply don't have time to bathe a soggy dog.

Check and maintain the pads

Get into the habit of a quick look at each paw a couple of times a week through winter. You're checking for:

• Redness, cracking or flaking on the pads
• Sore or raw skin between the toes
• Bits of grit, ice or grass seed lodged in the fur
• Any cuts or limping

Keep the surrounding fur tidy with a dematting comb so you can actually see the pads, and keep nails at a sensible length with pet nail clippers, since overlong nails change how the paw meets the ground and add strain in slippery conditions. The full kit lives in our health and grooming range.

When to call the vet

Most winter paw soreness clears up with the routine above. But book a vet visit if you see deep cracks that won't heal, persistent limping, bleeding, swelling, or if your dog is licking one paw obsessively — these can point to an infection, a foreign body lodged deep, or an injury that needs proper treatment rather than balm. If you suspect your dog has eaten a meaningful amount of de-icing salt and seems unwell, ring your vet for advice promptly.

For the wider seasonal picture see our Seasonal Pet Care hub, and read up on related winter gear in Best Dog Boots for Winter Walks and Hot Pavements (UK), Do Dogs Need Coats in Winter? A UK Breed-by-Breed Guide, and the Winter Dog Walking Safety Checklist for Dark UK Evenings.