Winter’s here—is your dog ready?

As the days get shorter and the weather bites, our dogs need extra care to stay happy and healthy. While keeping them cosy and visible on dark walks is a must, there’s one major winter hazard pet owners often overlook: toxic ice melts, rock salt, and antifreeze.

At Groomers, we're dedicated to helping you protect your dog so you can both enjoy the season. We've pulled together the ultimate guide to keeping your dog safe in winter, covering everything from critical paw protection to indoor enrichment ideas. We're here to be your ultimate solution finder for a safer, happier winter!

Key Your Winter Dog Safety Checklist

• Toxicity Alert: Be hyper-vigilant around antifreeze, rock salt, and deicers. Always wipe paws immediately after a walk to prevent poisoning.
• Paw Care is Critical: Snow and ice can lead to painful cracks and compacted snowballs. Trim paw fur and use a protective paw wax or balm.
• Stay Visible: Invest in reflective gear or light-up collars for dark morning and evening walks.
• Keep Them Warm: Single-coated, elderly, or smaller dogs may need a thermal coat to regulate their temperature.
• Beat the Boredom: On harsh weather days, use indoor enrichment games (like 'find it') to keep their minds active.

1. Toxic Threats: Protecting Your Dog from Ice Melts, Antifreeze, & Rock Salt

Outdoors in winter, one of the biggest dangers to your dog isn't the cold—it's the toxic chemicals used to fight it. Rock salt, other commercial deicing products, and antifreeze are common in winter landscapes and are incredibly harmful to dogs.

The risk is simple: your dog walks through it, comes home, and then licks it off their paws or ingests it by eating snow. Even a small amount of rock salt, which is often made of sodium chloride and grit, can lead to serious illness.

The Solution: Immediate Paw Protection

Your dog's paws are their first point of contact with these toxins. Post-walk care is non-negotiable for safety.

• Wipe Immediately: Always gently wipe your dog's paws as soon as you get back inside. This quick action removes dangerous substances before your dog has a chance to lick them. For quick cleanup, keep a tub of convenient wipes like Ultra Grime Pet Wipes by the door. They’re fast, effective, and will help to keep your dog safe.

• The Deep Clean: For a thorough wash, especially after a particularly messy or salted walk, wash your dog’s paws with warm water and a specialised, dog-friendly cleanser.

A gentle, deep-cleaning paw wash, such as Warren London Paw Sani-Scrub, can safely remove toxic residues and help prevent illness.

• Check for Irritation: If your dog shows any signs of irritation post-walk, consider giving them a warm bath with a mild, dog-friendly, soothing shampoo to rinse off any chemicals they may have picked up. For more tips on coat health, read our guide on Why Getting Your Dog Groomed In Winter Is So Important.

How to Minimise Exposure to Deicing Products For Dogs

You can take steps to reduce the risk to your dog when temperatures drop:

• Guard Your Own Driveway: For your own property, avoid using standard rock salt. Instead, opt for pet-safe commercial deicing products that don't contain chlorides. Alternatively, lay down sand, gravel, or wood ash on top of snow or ice for grip.
• Stay Leashed and Aware: Don’t allow your dog off-lead in areas where roads and pathways have been heavily treated. If it’s impossible to avoid treated areas, limit your dog’s time outside where possible and always clean them down thoroughly after every walk.

2. How to Protect Your Dog's Paws in Ice and Snow

Snow makes everything seem like an exciting winter wonderland for your dog, but their paws are vulnerable to the elements. Icy patches, hidden debris, and compacted snow can all cause discomfort and injury.

Guarding Against Compacted Snow and Ice

If your dog loves to roam in deep snow, you may need to check their paws regularly during your walks. Snow can collect and ball up between your dog’s toes, causing immediate discomfort and potential injury.

1. Stop and Release: If your dog is uncomfortable while walking, gently release any snow that has compacted between their toes.
2. Warm Paws at Home: Once indoors, gently warm the paws to melt off any remaining snow and ice.
3. The Groomer’s Secret: A good way to prevent snow from clinging is to trim the hair between and around their toes regularly. This removes the surface area the snow needs to adhere to, making their feet cleaner and more comfortable!

Protection Against the Elements

Winter weather can dry out and crack your dog's sensitive paw pads.

• Use Paw Wax: A protective balm creates a moisturising barrier against snow, ice, and salt. Paw butter, such as Warren London Paw Defence Wax, can help moisturise the paw pads, protecting them against the rough surfaces, snow, and ice.

3. Taking Care Around Frozen Water

If you live near a pond or a lake, keep your dog on a lead in winter. The temptation to walk on what looks like solid ground is too high, especially if they love swimming there in warmer months.

• Never Follow Them: If your dog falls through into the frozen water, you should never be tempted to go in after them. Your instinct may tell you otherwise, but this immediately puts your life in danger, too.
• Seek Help: Seek help from those around you and professionals (call emergency services immediately). Stay calm and encourage your dog to stay still and calm.
• Vet Care is Essential: Once your dog is safely out of the water, keep them warm and seek veterinary care immediately.

4. Keeping Your Dog Warm: Gear & Tips for Cold Weather

While some breeds are easy to keep warm, others—including single-coated breeds, puppies, and elderly dogs—can struggle to regulate their body temperature.

Signs Your Dog is Too Cold

• Shivering
• A hunched posture
• Reluctance to go outside in the cold
• Cold ears (an indicator of a drop in core temperature)

Winter Coat Solutions

If your dog is struggling, a coat is an essential purchase.

• Invest in a Thermal Coat: A thermal dog coat for your dog’s winter walks can help them stay warm and happy all season!
• Pick the Right Gear: With many options available — from full-body suits to waterproof varieties —your dog will feel much cosier. The right coat will also help keep their own coat cleaner when the weather turns muddy!

5. Staying Seen: Safety Tips for Walking in the Dark

Winter brings dark evenings and mornings, so ensuring your dog is visible is crucial, especially near traffic or if allowed to roam off-leash.

• Light-Up Gear: Invest in a reflective coat or a reflective or light-up collar to help your dog be easily seen by other walkers, dog walkers, and traffic, preventing accidents.
• Be Seen Yourself: You should also wear bright or reflective colours or use a headlamp when walking in low-light areas so you can be seen easily.
• Explore New Routes: If your usual walking routes are out of bounds due to a lack of street lighting, why not explore new, well-lit street routes? The new sights, sounds, and smells will keep your dog’s brain active, and you could even incorporate some training exercises with treats to make their walks more rewarding!

6. Beating the Winter Blues: Indoor Enrichment Games

During the harshest winter weather, the safest thing for your dog may be to keep their walks short and spend more time indoors. If this is the case, you must spend extra time playing with your dog, helping keep them as mentally stimulated as they would be when exploring the world outside.

• Scent Games: Games such as hide and seek and ‘find it,’ where they get to sniff out some tasty treats, are incredibly rewarding for your dog and help strengthen their bond with you.
• Chews & Puzzles: Other enrichment activities, such as long-lasting chews, treat-filled chews, and puzzle games, can also prove incredibly rewarding for your dog and help burn mental energy.

Shop for all of your winter grooming essentials at Groomers

Now you know how to keep your dog safe during the winter months, why not stay on top of their grooming needs with Groomers? From shampoos and conditioners for keeping their coats fresh after weeks of harsh winter walks to the best in paw care essentials to protect their feet after trudging through the mud and snow, we have everything you need to meet your dog’s grooming requirements. Explore our extensive range today!

Related

• How To Clean Your Dog After a Muddy Walk: A Winter Guide
• How To Groom Different Dog Coat Types In Winter