During the winter season outdoor temperatures are continually below freezing and sometimes even below zero degrees, which can put stress on our pets.

Veterinarian Dr. Christy Fields with Companion Veterinary Clinic of Greene County recommends not taking your dog outside for a walk if it’s really cold outside. However, if you do, she advises to be aware of your pet’s paws.

“Dogs that have hair in between their paws can get ice balls stuck in that hair and that can be pretty painful. They sell booties that you can put on dogs for walking outside. Also the deicing agents that are on the sidewalks can irritate the paws, so those booties will help protect from that. But if you don’t do that, when you get home just use a washcloth with warm water and clean those feet off. That’ll help get some of those ice pellets out from (being) stuck in between the pads.”

Dr. Fields adds there are some pet clothing that people can purchase to put on shorthaired dogs to better protect them from the colder temperatures. However, she points out a dog’s fur is suitable to handle most winter season temperatures.