Anyone know about ice hurting dogs feet (the pads)?

Question

my dog went outside while it was snowing and sleeting. she ripped open between the pads on her feet. its pretty deep. is this a common thing for dogs. i had dogs my whole life and never seen this. we live in upstate new york weather conditions.

Answer 1

She probaly cut it on the ice, she could have broken through on some ice and the sharp edge cut her....is it still bleeding, if not, to be safe call your vet, he may want to stitch it if really deep to keep it from coming open again...yes, this is common for dogs that ice hunt, the ice and snow can really dry out the dogs pads...dont let it go......dont want an infection to set up on the baby

Answer 2

Ice and crusty snow can be quite abrasive. Booties can protect the feet. The best booties I have seen are from Mountain Ridge Kennels, 1-866-dogboot. 10 Squared Racing has an ointment fort dog's feet. I have never used it but I know some mushers who swear by it. Most dogs never have foot problems but some have delicate feet . Cut pads seem to take longer to heal than other injuries. Don't leave booties on the dog when you are not on the other end of the leash. If left alone many dogs will chew the boots off. Unless the cut is large enough to need stitches the vet won't be able to do much. You will have to decide if treatment is needed.

Answer 3

Everyone here has already provided some excellent answers. Definitely see a vet if her wound is as bad as you say it is. You can put certain things on a dog's feet to help them walk/run through snow and ice. A few people have mentioned booties. They are a good idea but make sure what you are buying is good quality! I would never buy booties from a store like petco. Sled dog suppliers sell booties made out of cordura or a heavy-duty fleece. FYI, dogs dislike booties but they get used to them! Good luck!

Answer 4

I lived in upstate ny my whole life. (about 45min east of syracuse) the weather is harsh. The cold can certainly crack the pads, for that you can use a lanolin base cream to keep them moist. It may have been a sharp piece of ice..which I know is common there, and can cause a cut. you may want to walk him in only softer areas free of harden snow or cracked ice..or maybe get some booties, or tape some socks on him. I would watch the area too. When my dobe cut his pad on a piece of glass it needed staples, it was pretty deep and bled too. Good luck.

Answer 5

She needs a vets attention immediately. I live in Minnesota and that is pretty common here, too. Ice can be very sharp and can cut like a knife. There are things you can do to protect her feet in the future. There is a wax type substance that you can apply and also dog boots are available.

Answer 6

Well first I hope u stopped the bleeding then took ur dog to the vet. But this has never happened to me b4. But it seems very possible, as owners have to be careful that their dogs don't step on sharp things such as glass.
I do kno tho that salt is bad for dogs paws as it can get stuck between the toes.

Answer 7

it used to happen with my samoyed, who had thick fur between his pads, the ice would freeze the fur and hurt him and sometimes cut him.
it was hard to get off, eventually i trimmed the hair between the pads and this made it better - you can also get doggie boots, which are a neoprene type boot that fits over the dogs paws, they do look silly though but help a lot.

Answer 8

You should definantly get dog booties for her!! Also, take her to the vet and make sure there isn't an infection starting. Pour peroxide on the pad then cloth wrap it if you can.

Answer 9

No not at all. I live up in Canada and It never happened to my dogs. Poor dog, that must be painful you should have her checked and make sure no infection gets in there.

Answer 10

Ice can get sharp, just like glass. You can get boots for her.