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Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Ginger
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Meme of the day: Without fail!
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Ouch! Why Sidewalk Salt Is No Treat for Your Dog's Paws
Winter walks are magical, but for our canine companions, the icy paths often hide a prickly danger: sidewalk salt. That white, grainy stuff that keeps us from slipping can be incredibly harsh and painful for your dog's sensitive paws.
It's crucial for every dog owner to understand why this common winter necessity is a major irritant, so you can take steps to protect your furry friend's feet!
The Science Behind the Sting: Why Salt is So Harmful
It might look like simple grains, but commercial sidewalk de-icers are a mix of chemicals designed to melt ice. The most common ingredients are sodium chloride (table salt), calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride. Each of these chemicals contributes to paw damage in several painful ways:
Chemical Burns and Irritation
The primary goal of these salts is to lower the freezing point of water. As they dissolve, they create a highly concentrated, corrosive brine solution.
Dehydration: These salts are hygroscopic, meaning they actively draw moisture out of their surroundings—including your dog's paw pads. This intense drying effect causes the pads to crack, chap, and become painful.
Chemical Reaction: Chloride salts, especially calcium chloride, release heat as they dissolve (an exothermic reaction). This heat, combined with the chemical concentration, can literally cause chemical burns on the tender tissue of the paw pads.
Cuts, Abrasions, and Cracking
Even before the chemical reaction begins, the physical texture of the salt is an issue.
Sharp Edges: The tiny, jagged crystals act like miniature shards of glass, causing cuts and micro-abrasions on the pads and in between the toes.
Cracks as Entry Points: Once the salt has dried out the pads, they become brittle and crack easily. These cracks are open wounds, providing a perfect entry point for the corrosive salt solution and bacteria, leading to irritation, inflammation, and infection (called pododermatitis).
It's natural for dogs to lick their paws, especially when they feel irritation. However, ingesting sidewalk salt residue is a serious hazard.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Swallowing the salt can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Sodium Poisoning (Rare but Serious): Ingesting large amounts of sodium chloride can lead to hypernatremia (salt poisoning). While typically rare from just licking paws, it is a risk you should avoid, especially if your dog has any underlying health issues. Symptoms include excessive thirst, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures.
How to Protect Your Dog's Paws This Winter
Don't let the threat of salt keep you indoors! A little preparation goes a long way toward protecting your pup:
Invest in Dog Booties: This is the most effective solution. While some dogs resist at first, a properly fitted pair of waterproof booties provides a complete barrier against ice, snow, and salt.
Apply a Paw Balm: Before you head out, rub a thin layer of a veterinarian-approved paw wax or balm (like Musher's Secret) onto their pads. This creates a moisturizing, protective, and slightly water-repellent barrier.
The Essential Post-Walk Rinse: As soon as you get home, immediately wash your dog’s paws in a basin of warm water. This removes every trace of salt and chemicals before your dog has a chance to lick them. Pay special attention to the areas between the toes.
Keep Interdigital Hair Trimmed: The hair between your dog's toes can trap salt crystals, snow, and ice balls. Keeping this hair neatly trimmed prevents irritation and makes cleaning easier.
By understanding the abrasive and corrosive nature of sidewalk salts, you can ensure that your winter adventures remain safe, warm, and pain-free for your four-legged best friend. Happy walking!
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Family Photo of the Day:
Chloe!
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @tankthebrownlab
