Dogs in the snow
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381865)
Rockingham, Australia
March 20, 2026 2:06am CST
I enjoyed reading about the service/assistance dogs that went with their owners to the Winter Paralympics. Among all the discussion was information on how the dogs cope with the very cold conditions.
Some of the problems can be ice crystals lodging between the toes, snow clumping in the fur, dry or cracked pads from cold surfaces and irritations or burning of the skin from salt and de-icing chemicals used around the venues.
Some of the dogs are equipped with boots and handlers may use paw wax or balm to minimise any problems. In general, dogs at winter sports events don’t spend a lot of time outside.
So I’m wondering if myLotters that live in really cold conditions and have dogs, do you need to take any precautions when/if you take them outside in the snow?
The photo is mine.
13 people like this
10 responses
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
21 Mar
@rebelann
So special snow boots should be essential for the dogs in such climates.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
20 Mar
Heavy snow areas could be posing most of the issues.
I think some sort of shoes or similar arrangement should be made for dogs in such inhospitable environment.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
21 Mar
@JudyEv
Let us hope it is happening!
Or perhaps the dogs are quite sturdy!
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@Juliaacv (56227)
• Canada
20 Mar
Oh yes, that all rings true in our region.
Ellie dislikes her little booties, but when she was younger she'd wear them.
They particularly helped her when walking down the sidewalk, as the sale would bother her terribly.
But regularly little balls of now and ice need to be gently removed from her paws after time outside.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122095)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
21 Mar
Thank goodness it seldom snows in south Louisiana. When the weather gets very cold and my relatives owned dogs as pets when it the weather was cold, the dogs would be inside of the home or under a table with plenty of blankets surrounding their home.
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@Deepizzaguy (122095)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22 Mar
@JudyEv That is true since my relatives care for the welfare of dogs and cats..
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@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
21 Mar
I remember when we had Max and Ice. It was brutally cold outside; but Ice refused to come in. When I finally got him in he was shivering. I put him on my lap and wrapped him in a blanket. Poor baby.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
22 Mar
@JudyEv Because he was stubborn and wouldn't come when I called. He could have frozen into an ice cube out there.
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@snowy22315 (208801)
• United States
20 Mar
When I had my dog and took him up north to visit, I put booties on him plus a jacket or sweater.
1 person likes this
Poor dogs, they suffer if they walk on snow that is been salted to prevent ice formation.
@freelancermariagrace (29342)
• Philippines
21 Mar
The dog in the photo looks really stunning! His coat is shiny and beautiful.
1 person likes this
