Even though it's cold and wet, Fido is still eager to go outside. Fortunately, with the proper prevention and care, you can help your dog avoid common health risks and discomfort related to winter weather. The following is a guide to winter care for your dog’s paws and skin. With these tips, your dog will make it through the winter months happy and healthy.

Winter care for your dog’s paws

Although dry winter air can leave your dog’s paws a bit chapped, generally man-made products are the real problem for your dog’s paws during the winter. Salt and other melting products can be harmful or even fatal to your dog if it licks its paws after a walk outdoors. Salt and sand also can accumulate in your dog’s paws, eventually causing them to become dry and cracked. Not only is this painful for your pet, but without treatment it can lead to infection. Outlined below are several ways to treat and prevent damage to your dog’s paws during the winter months:

• Rinse your dog’s paws. Providing winter care for your dog’s paws and skin often requires some extra time. After walks, rinse your dog’s paws with clean, warm water to remove sand, salt and ice caught in its fur and in between its toes. This not only protects against dry, chapped paws, but it also keeps your pet from ingesting potentially poisonous chemicals found in melting products. Keep a bucket and towel handy close to the door so that you don’t forget this important step.

• Protect your dog’s paws. If you’d rather not rinse your dog’s paws after every trip outdoors, consider purchasing a pair of pet booties, which provide a safe barrier from salt, sand and ice. Your dog may resist wearing them at first, but eventually it should become accustomed to wearing winter boots. If boots aren’t an option, petroleum jelly also can provide a protective barrier for your dog’s paws when applied before going outdoors.

• Keep hair trimmed. During the winter, keep the hair between your dog’s paw pads trimmed short to help prevent ice, sand and salt from becoming trapped in its fur, where it can lead to health problems.

Winter care for your dog’s skin

When it comes to your dog’s skin, a common problem during winter months is dryness, which can lead to flaking and itching. There is less humidity in the air during the winter, both indoors and outdoors, and the dry heat from furnaces can be especially damaging. There are several things you can do to help avoid this issue, including:

• Bathe your dog less frequently. Bathing your dog removes natural oils from its skin, which further exacerbates the problem of dry winter skin. Bathe your dog less often during the winter months, and when you must do so, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to limit dryness.

• Use a humidifier in your home. A humidifier is an inexpensive way to add some moisture back into your home and help to combat the effects of dry heat from your furnace.

• Find your dog a coat. A warm coat protects your dog’s skin from dry winter air, helping to limit dry skin, flaking and itching.

• Brush your dog more often. Brushing your dog helps to stimulate the production of natural oils in its skin for extra moisture.

Remember, providing winter care for your dog’s paws and skin may take some extra time and effort, but it is well worth it to avoid the potential health risks and to prevent discomfort for your furry friend. Put the above winter care tips into practice and your dog will be happy and healthy all winter long.