Keeping Your Dog Safe and Healthy During the Winter

3. Clean your dog's feet after walking

Antifreeze isn't the only deicer that can harm your dog during winter. Many cities and towns use rock salt to make snowy sidewalks safe for pedestrians, but those salt crystals can scratch or pierce a dog's delicate paw pads. Boots are a great way to protect against this damage, but you can also reduce the risk of injury by cleaning your dog's feet after walks. Just leave a warm bucket of water by the door before you leave, then thoroughly rinse your dog's paws in it when you get home.