Winter is here, and the temperature is dropping. The snow is falling (as of this week!), and the ice is forming, making it crucial to keep you and your furry family members safe during the winter months. Pet owners can take steps to protect their dogs from the cold temperature and ice. Paw injuries are a common issue that pet owners face during winter and prevention is the best medicine. Protecting your pet's paws is a must if you want your pet to stay happy and pain free throughout the winter season.

The Dangers

During winter, paws pet is exposed to various dangers such as frigid temperature and salted sidewalks that can be hazardous to their health. You should limit your walks with your pet in freezing temperatures to 20-30 minutes at a time. Also wipe your pet's paws with a warm damp cloth when you get back to the house to clear the paws of any debris. If you don't protect your pet's paws, it can lead to various health issues such as frostbite, cracked paws, and chemical burns from de-icing products. All these issues can be quite painful and hard to heal, which is why prevention is always better than a cure. So, what can you do to keep your paws pet safe during winter? The first and foremost step is to protect their paws with preventative products. For instance, Braxton's carries Skout's Honor Paw Balm, Bag Balm, and Safe Paw Ice Melt, which are specifically designed to protect and nourish your pet's paws.

Prevention Products

Skout's Honor Paw Balm

Skout's Honor Paw Balm is an all-natural relief cream that helps soothe dry, itchy, and cracked paws. The product is designed to offer paw protection in cold, dry, and wet weather. The balm contains natural ingredients such as shea butter and honey making it safe and gentle for your furry friend's skin. The other unique factor of Skout's Honor Paw Balm is the Prebiotics they use. Prebiotics support and feed the good bacteria that serve as a natural defense against the environmental damage and inflammation commonly associated with itching, dryness, infection and odor. When applied to the skin, probiotics support the good bacteria that naturally calm inflammation and prevent bad bacteria from taking over.

Bag Balm

Bag Balm is another excellent option to protect your pet's paws and you probably have some in your home right now for yourself! Bag Balm is a trusted name in skin protection made in Vermont since 1899. It's an ointment that contains lanolin, which acts as a moisturizer to soothe and soften dry, chapped skin. This product is perfect for pets that spend time outdoors, as it protects their paws from environmental factors such as windburn and cold temperatures.

Ice Melts

Now that you have something to protect your pal's paws, let's talk about salt melts and which ones are safe for not only your pet but for your property and environment. There are so many different products on the market when it comes to melting ice and most commercial de-icing products are not safe for pets. They contain chemicals such as potassium and magnesium chlorides, or calcium salts (such as calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate). These products if ingested can be lethal to your pet and reek havoc on their paws. There are a few "pet safe" deicers you will find out there that are safe for pets but can potentially damage your side walks. At Braxton's we only trust Safe Paw Ice Melt. Safe Paw is not only safe for your pets' paws, but it is also non-toxic to plants and wildlife. Additionally, it is non-corrosive, meaning it won't harm your sidewalks. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly and will not contaminate waterways.

In conclusion, protecting your paws pet in winter is critical to their safety and health. By taking the necessary steps to prevent paw injuries, such as using preventative products like Skout's Honor Paw Balm, Bag Balm, and Safe Paw Ice Melt, you can ensure that your pet stays happy and healthy throughout the winter season. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure when it comes to your furry family member's health. So, make sure to take the necessary steps to protect your pet's paws, and enjoy the winter season without any worry!