Most dogs love snow, but cold, ice and de-icing salt call for a few simple routines.
Small, short-coated, slim, very young and old dogs lose heat fastest. If your dog shivers, lifts its paws or slows down, head home. A well-fitted coat helps dogs that feel the cold, and keeping the dog moving is better than standing still in the wind.
Road salt and grit dry out and crack the paw pads, and snow packs into balls between the toes. Trim long hair between the pads, use a paw balm before walks if needed and rinse the paws in lukewarm water afterwards. Booties suit dogs that walk long salted routes.
Antifreeze tastes sweet and is highly poisonous even in tiny amounts, so a suspected lick is an emergency. Keep the dog on the lead near frozen lakes and rivers, as ice can break, and use a reflective vest or a light on dark afternoons. Eating a lot of snow can upset some dogs' stomachs.
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