It's been soooooo gosh darn freezing here this week- it's been quite the challenge to get mental and physical stimulation (for both humans and dogs). But the past few days, it's been cold enough to get to the point where I don't want to go outside (which normally is one of my favorite things to do) because my paws hurt.
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| I used to huddle with my Mom next to the heater when it was (and still is) freezing outside! |
Cue my little reminder for us who live in cold weather: dog paws and human feet have a lot in common! Humans don't walk around in bare feet when it's 100 degrees out- nor do they walk around in bare feet when the windchill is -35F. Being outside for short periods is just fine- most dogs do it! However, when you're like me and take forever and a day to do my business, my paws start to sting. It's important to remember that dog paws can crack, get dry, get cold and sting- much like they can burn from really hot pavement!
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| Little did I know as a puppy, that my little paws needed a s"paw" day after long periods outside. |
What have we done to alleviate all this pain? (Going out to potty quickly) Momma got a pair of some dog booties. There's an online store that we bought them from where they make them way up north in Minnesota, and they use them for sled dogs. They were very cost-effective, and are definitely worth the money- they're so durable! And....you can pick the colors, quantity, material, everything! We love them. Now, instead of licking my paws in chilly-ness when I go outside to do my business, I (look like a crazy bouncy antelope) go about my business, come inside, and my paws aren't stingy and frozen.
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| Mom has been putting the booties on me since I was a wee pup- that way, I'm not so opposed to wearing them- I'm used to it! |
Does it ever get this flippin' freezing where you live? What do you do to keep your paws (or your buddy's paws) healthy in this crazy weather? I'd love to know so that my paws can be in tip-top shape, too! We got our fantastic booties from dogbooties.com .
I'm glad you're so good about wearing your booties! Barley would never tolerate that! It's been "flippin' freezing" here all week, so we've had to keep our walks to under 10 minutes at a time so her little feet don't freeze off--and then we come inside and I slowly warm them back up with a warm washcloth and then a little bit of lotion to keep them from getting too dry!
ReplyDeleteThe lotion sounds like a good idea. My paws get a little dry- but who's to blame, because the last week here has been below-zero temps! Ugh! Spring couldn't come sooner here.
DeleteWe are really searching for dig booties that stay on our feets. They either fall off or the rubber ones are impossible to put on. Mom bought 5 different styles and they all stink
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
That's a bummer! :( We had success the first try, but I'm sure finding some that are more than heavy-duty cloth and elastic is a challenge. We see the returned ones all the time in the used gear loft at REI- the reason for return is always "didn't fit, fell off, dog didn't like". I think a lot of people have that problem, unfortunately!
DeleteWe are in your boat being in the south metro. Mom cause what you describe "paw freeze". Our rough rule is -10 actual temp and we have to wear our PAWZ shoes. We don't really mind them, but we prefer bare paw walking. Once we have those PAWZ on, we are racing through the cold like wild girls. We still enjoy going out, but our walks are limited to 20-30 mins and playtime in the yard is about 5 mins of high speed racing and then back in to warm up. Sounds like Sunday things will start warming up.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Man, I was so hoping the warmer temps would stay around......apparently not the case :( So, when's spring coming? ;-) haha!
DeleteLuckily we don't get that freezing weather here in sunny SoCal, but we do get the heat and the hot pavement in the summer! Thanks for joining the Hop - good advice for folks to remember their dogs paws.
ReplyDeleteOoooo, SoCal sounds so nice- but I do bet the heat/hot pavement has to be treacherous! We'd probably melt if we experienced a SoCal summer. I think anything over 90 is blistering! :-P
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI love my boots for the coldies... but they are no where near as stylish as yours Sadie!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Haha! I bet yours are lovely as well! :)
DeleteWe will have to remember that if we are in the cold!
ReplyDeleteMonty and Harlow
This cold snap we've had lately has been just awful. We love winter around here, but my paws sure get sick of the ongoing sub-zero temperatures we've had lately. The 20-30 degree days with beautiful snow are definitely where it's at!
DeleteI do not want my mom to see this post! BUTT it might be a good idea for doggies to take good care of their feets!
ReplyDeleteRespectively Yours,
Murphy & Stanley
Mayorz For All Paws
We usually don't worry about the paws when it's above zero, but we've been in this horrible cold snap for over a week now (sub-zero) and it's really taken a toll. I think Bosses are even getting to the point where they're getting Cabin Fever......
DeleteOur pups wear boots when it's freezing cold outside ~ thankfully not the norm, but does happen for a few days during winter here in NC (and before in NoVA). I can't stand cold human feet and always wear my warm, insulated Keen boots when out on cold winter walks!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's not the norm for you over there! We've had the super freezing cold for over a week now. Bosses have given in and invested in nice outerwear, because suffering through the "few days" of this frigid stuff has turned into "few weeks"! Ugh! Mom's favorite warm thing in the wintertime is her REI down booties for watching tv and going camping :)
DeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteEven if we get stuck at the house in the mountains, where it does get cold, it never lasts more than a couple of days. We just don't go anywhere in a vehicle until the snow melts.
Here in the low country it's been record cold the last couple of nights, but in the 40's during the day. By tomorrow it should be back in the 60's and the 70's on Sunday. The worst part of the cold is the wind off the water.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Wow! That sounds pretty intense! Living in the mountains has gotta make you feel a little cabin fever when you get snowed in. But, how cool?! (Bosses secretly wish they lived in the mountains, too)
Delete40's during the day sounds heavenly. Want to send some our way? ;-)
It NEVER gets cold here but I've gotta wear boots (with rubber soles) when we go travelling in the bush because of the big ugly burrs out there. Mum got them at www.ruffwear.com. (a US company I think). I hated them at first but Mum persevered. I would wear them for VERY short periods at first and then for longer and longer. Now I don't mind them and my feet are fine. No burrs for me. AND they stay on even when I run really fast. They are very good boots. The booties would be good for me for summer when it's so hot the tar melts and you can cook eggs on it. They look a lot lighter than my boots.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of burr protection boots. Cool! The tar can cook eggs?! Holy cow! Sounds hot hot hot!!!
DeleteWe live in Iowa, so it's just as miserable here :( We have tried several pairs of dog booties, but they all have fallen off of Riley's little paws.
ReplyDeleteBoth my Bosses lived in Iowa for 4 years- they always said that it's 5 degrees warmer in Iowa, but the wind makes it feel as cold or colder all the time!
DeleteI wore booties when I lived in Bawston.
ReplyDeleteWas it very snowy there? Or cold? Neither myself nor my Bosses have ever been there! Heard it's really fun to visit, though. :)
DeleteYour mom sure was smart to start you in booties as a wee pup. I've looked at some for Rocco, but he has so much darn fur around his paws, I'm not sure they'll stay on. We're lucky we rarely need them in Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteI was accustomed to a lot of things as a puppy- it's really hard to bother me with anything!
DeleteLooking good in those boots. Brown dawgs don't really wear boots. We just limit their time outside when it is really cold. If they are moving around they normally don't notice the cold. Their pads seem to toughen up as they age.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! We don't really go outside when it's super cold, either. Then, when my paws get cold, I lift them all up and look super awkward- then, I forget that I do have the option to go inside. Mom keeps reminding me that I need to come in when I get chilly, but I just don't get it! :)
DeleteDog booties is essential when it come to protecting your pets feet from any kind of harsh weather and to give him a comfortable walk. Appreciate the way you have shared your idea. Kudos for your efforts.
ReplyDelete