Winter wellness for dogs
How to Keep Them Active, Comfortable, and Protected
Winter changes everything for us and for our dogs. Shorter days, freezing temperatures, salt-covered sidewalks (so… much… salt), and less time outdoors all add up. And if you’re not thinking ahead, winter can quietly take a toll on our pets.
Winter Weather Limits Outdoor Time
Let’s start with the obvious —Winter limits how much time we can realistically be outside. When it’s dark at 4:30, freezing cold, or actively snowing, walks get shorter or skipped altogether.
Less movement means less muscle tone, stiffer joints, and often weight gain. Check out a recent blog, in which I address weight management. Dogs still need daily movement, but winter requires a little more intention to make that happen safely.
Salt, Sidewalks, and Sensitive Paws
Roads and sidewalks covered in salt are brutal on dogs’ paws. Salt burns, dries, and cracks the pads, and it can cause serious irritation (especially for dogs with sensitive feet).
And here’s the part people forget. Dogs don’t just walk on salt. They lick it off their paws, which means all those road chemicals don’t just disappear, they get ingested.
Boots Are Hard If You Don’t Start Young
If your adult dog has never worn boots before, I’ll be honest with you, it can be done but good luck. It will take a lot of patience and treats!
Dogs really need to be introduced to boots when they’re young. For adult dogs, boots can feel strange, restrictive, and stressful, which makes winter walks even harder. That said, some dogs do adapt and some don’t. Every dog is different.
My Favorite Paw Protection
If boots aren’t an option, Musher’s Secret is hands-down one of the best paw protection products out there. I’ve carried it in my stores for many, many years for a reason.
It works like a breathable wax that you apply before going outside. It helps:
Protect paw pads from salt and chemicals
Prevent painful ice balls from forming between the toes
Keep paws moisturized and less likely to crack
Another bonus people forget: Musher’s Secret also protects paws from hot pavement and sand in warmer months. It’s a year-round product, not just a winter one.
I also highly recommend Natural Dog Co’s PawTection. It creates a protective barrier to shield paws from both extreme hot temperatures and icy salted pavement.
Protect and Renew Balm from Project Sudz is great too. This Shea Butter-based balm helps protect paw pads from ice, salt, and hot sidewalks and streets.
Dog Boots That Actually Work
My dogs have worn boots. Some did great. Some… not so much.
DeSoto was fine with them. Bo is… Bo and absolutely refuses. Layla doesn’t seem very sensitive to salt, probably because of her bigger feet. Greyson, on the other hand, is extremely sensitive.
My favorite dog boots are PAWZ, and here’s why:
They actually stay on, which is the biggest complaint with dog boots
Dogs can still feel the ground, so they don’t do that awkward “puppet walk”
They’re flexible, lightweight, and practical
They look weird. I’ll give you that. They’re basically thick balloons that stretch over the paw. But they work, and comfort matters more than aesthetics.
Winter Nutrition and Weight Management
Winter is when dogs tend to gain weight. Less movement plus the same amount of food equals trouble.
It’s incredibly important to keep dogs at a healthy weight, especially in winter. Extra weight puts more strain on joints that are already stiff from cold weather and reduced activity. Use interactive feeders to make them work for food. Puzzle trails are fun to do especially if you involve any human children in the household.
Be mindful of portions. Adjust food if activity levels drop. And remember that treats, chews, and supplements all count as calories.
Joint Support That Actually Works
Cold weather makes joint issues more obvious. This is where supplementation can make a real difference, but only if you’re using something effective.
My number one, top, and honestly pretty much only joint supplement recommendation is In Clover Connectin.
Here’s why I don’t recommend most commercial joint chews:
Many don’t contain clinical doses
You’d have to feed hundreds of doses a day to see results
They’re often loaded with unnecessary fillers
If you want to learn more, listen to my podcast on this topic.
CBD can also be used to reduce inflammation that is worse in the winter. These are my go to brands:
CBD Dog Health https://cbddoghealth.com/
Earth Buddy Pet https://www.earthbuddypet.com/
Hemp Heros https://hempheros.com/
We’re all suckers for good marketing. I get it. But we need to stop believing everything on the label and start asking better questions.
Lean on Your Local Pet Store
Your local independent pet store is one of your best resources. We’re knowledgeable. We use these products ourselves. And we’re here to help you troubleshoot, not just sell you something.
Winter is hard on dogs, but with the right tools, the right protection, and the right nutrition, it doesn’t have to slow them down or set them back.
For smart, engaging conversations about pet wellness, listen to the Toni Unleashed podcast on Apple and Spotify.
