The winter can be tough on both owner and pet. The frigid air can have some pretty adverse effects on your pup's paws, but a proper pet care routine, including visits to the groomer, can help. To keep your dog safe and healthy this winter, here's some helpful information about paw maintenance and care. 

How Can Winter Affect a Dog's Paws?

When salt or de-icers are poured onto the streets and sidewalks during the coldest or snowiest days, they can help keep commuters safe from adverse weather, but when dogs have to walk on those chemicals, it's another story. Salt can get stuck in between the pads on their paws, which can result in discomfort or injury. You might have seen this happen before; a telltale sign is a little hobbling, limping, or a downright refusal to walk from your pup. What's more, ice or snow can get stuck on overgrown hair and produce cuts or other types of trauma. At the least, a dog's paws are bound to become quite cold, which can make it painful to walk.

How Can You Avoid These Negative Effects?

The best way to prepare your dog for winter is by taking a trip to the groomer. There, your dog's paws will be given the royal treatment for the season to come. This kind of care will likely include nail trimming, which is crucial to the safety of your pet, as overgrown nails can cause injury while walking during any season.

From there, a groomer will trim the paw hair, so that everything is flush and not too long, which will help safeguard the dog against ice on walks. A protective balm can also be applied there and at home, which will help protect against the cold and ice. Lastly, you might consider purchasing boots for your pup. While they might walk like a newborn fawn at first, these cute little shoes can help make winter walks a breeze. 

Are you looking for a trusted groomer this winter? Shar-Jo's Pet Styling & In-Home Pet Sitting is a trusted resource and one-stop shop for pet care in Milford, OH. For more than three decades, the animal-loving husband-and-wife team, Sharon and Joe Sparrow, have served the local community, ensuring pet owners always have an experienced and knowledgeable staff member to care for their pet. To learn more about their services, visit the website. For questions, call (513) 831-9457.