Should I worry about her feet in the cold? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Pamp81 · 01-07-2010, 10:57 AM

This is the first winter we've had our Sunny. It is going to be dangerously cold tonight (only one or two degrees, maybe subzero, and the wind chills are going to be -25, so they say.) There is snow on the ground. I'm going up to buy some little boots for her in a little while, because when I brought her in this morning after her morning walk around the yard with me (it was about 18 degrees out), there were ice crystals in her feet after only a couple of minutes! (I shoveled her a little circle path around the yard--she was so cute on her path!)
Am I crazy to worry about her feet and get the boots? I can't imagine it's safe for her to be out on that cold of ground without them, but maybe it is.
Pam in Missouri

anpfaff1983 · 01-07-2010, 11:07 AM

Chloe and Fiona go out in the snow and they do just fine without boots, in fact I tried them once and Chloe came back in without a few (lost in the snow until spring). I just don't let them stay out too long, they are pretty good about letting me know when they want in the house.

MI Yorkielover · 01-07-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pamp81

This is the first winter we've had our Sunny. It is going to be dangerously cold tonight (only one or two degrees, maybe subzero, and the wind chills are going to be -25, so they say.) There is snow on the ground. I'm going up to buy some little boots for her in a little while, because when I brought her in this morning after her morning walk around the yard with me (it was about 18 degrees out), there were ice crystals in her feet after only a couple of minutes! (I shoveled her a little circle path around the yard--she was so cute on her path!)
Am I crazy to worry about her feet and get the boots? I can't imagine it's safe for her to be out on that cold of ground without them, but maybe it is. Pam in Missouri

Wow, it's a lot colder where you are . Have you ever seen a YouTube video of a yorkie wearing boots for the first few times? You might want to check it out . That being said..I would think any extended time outdoors would not be good for her. Sophie doesn't (won't) wear boots so if it were that cold I would only let her out to quickly do her business. If the temps are in the mid to upper 20's she still gets her short walk everyday to keep her from getting cabin fever. She loves it !

Franceen · 01-07-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pamp81

This is the first winter we've had our Sunny. It is going to be dangerously cold tonight (only one or two degrees, maybe subzero, and the wind chills are going to be -25, so they say.) There is snow on the ground. I'm going up to buy some little boots for her in a little while, because when I brought her in this morning after her morning walk around the yard with me (it was about 18 degrees out), there were ice crystals in her feet after only a couple of minutes! (I shoveled her a little circle path around the yard--she was so cute on her path!)
Am I crazy to worry about her feet and get the boots? I can't imagine it's safe for her to be out on that cold of ground without them, but maybe it is.
Pam in Missouri

I was going to post this very same question today! Outside, the paths are icy and the temperatures are below -4C. Tootsy is quite happy to go for a walk in this weather!! (I, however, am NOT!!) Nevertheless, she whines and barks until I take her out for her walk! I was wondering how quickly her feet would get frostbite? She is happy to walk for an hour or more!! She doesn't show any discomfort?! ( I DO, but that doesn't seem to concern her!) The thing is, I just cannot see her actually using boots. She won't even wear coats that cover her back legs! Is it safe to let her walk, as long as she seems comfortable?

heymia112 · 01-07-2010, 11:35 AM

Wow! Its really cold there!

I live in New York...and if I remember correctly the temperature will go down to 20 degrees this weekend (wind chill will make it feel like 10). That is nothing compared to what you're experiencing...

Well to answer your question...this is my Duchess' first winter and i've put boots on her only to protect her paws from the salt that is put down in the streets here. The salt was the only concern I had for her...other then being warm. It was too funny watching her get use to them. She is a pro now...running and jumping in the snow- its TOO CUTE!

I've read some articles that stress the importance of protecting their little paws from the bitter cold and even the heat in the summer. I guess it depends on the amount of time you have her out. Hope that helped some.

Cha Cha · 01-07-2010, 11:41 AM

I used to have a little Min Pin that would go out and after being out in the cold for a while her feet would get so cold she could not move...literally! I had to watch her close and when she started to shiver and stand in one place I would have to run out and get her quick. She was a special needs dog with some nerve damage to her back legs so I always thought it was related to that. But now my little Mylee does the same thing. She loves to play but all of a sudden she will get to where she can barely move and looks at me with a freightening look. She will start to pick up one foot at a time and hold it like it hurts or burns but won't move towards coming in. That's when I know she needs to get in fast! When it is bitter cold out you need to watch them very closely. The cold snow can hurt their feet.

ARCHIE · 01-07-2010, 11:52 AM

Snow, ice and snow&ice removal will indeed harm their feet. Allowing them
to potty outdoors is fine but not to long in sever weather. Boots are fine
if they stay on. Buddy's never did, however he loves it outdoors.
A trick I learned a couple years ago is to put vasoline on the pads. Don't coat
it on but rub it in the pads to keep the pads from drying out. Much like putting
lipstick or lipbalm on your own lips. It keeps the pads from splitting. I apply
it at least twice a week during the winter months. It does help.

Gigi485 · 01-07-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Snow, ice and snow&ice removal will indeed harm their feet. Allowing them
to potty outdoors is fine but not to long in sever weather. Boots are fine
if they stay on. Buddy's never did, however he loves it outdoors.
A trick I learned a couple years ago is to put vasoline on the pads. Don't coat
it on but rub it in the pads to keep the pads from drying out. Much like putting
lipstick or lipbalm on your own lips. It keeps the pads from splitting. I apply
it at least twice a week during the winter months. It does help.

Excellent idea on the vasoline! New England is getting a wicked cold snap and I worry that his little paws will stick to the ice on the ground. Kinda like when that kid in "A Chrismas Story" stuck his tongue on the pole.

bjm2552 · 01-07-2010, 06:28 PM

Use the rubber (Balloon looking) boots..They stay on and they don't walk funny!!You really need the boots!!

PrincessDiana · 01-07-2010, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the tip on the Vaseline!

We'll have to try that. My dogs would lick it off though.. I wonder if that's safe?

Franklin and Maggie would NEVER tolerate boots. In fact, they hardly tolerate jackets outside. We had a blizzard on Christmas Eve and they absolutely loved being out in the snow. I literally had to drag them back inside. They didn't seem cold at all.

Pamp81 · 01-08-2010, 05:17 AM

Thanks for all of the replies! I went to the store last night and bought about 4 different kinds of boots and socks to try. They were out of the smallest size in several of the styles, so they were too big for her and wouldn't stay on. But the little socks (with little rubber paw prints on the bottom) stayed on and kept her feet from getting encrusted with ice, so they were great! She looks hilarious in them---so adorable. They really work great. It's only 7 degrees here now, so I'm very glad to have them.
Pam in Missouri

hugz4all4 · 01-08-2010, 06:03 AM

Tucker has very sensitive feet and when its really cold outside he wont move and will whine terrible and this after being outside for just a few minutes. I would have to pick him up, warm his feet with my hands just so he could go to the bathroom. This summer we took him for a walk at our local park and just after a few minutes his paws were raw, I had to treat him with antibiotic cream for almost a week before they healed. Anyways, I bought him some cheap, 10.00 little booties that have a hard leather patch on the bottom that velcro tight around his little legs and he wears them and they work perfect.. he does kick them off as long as I take him out immediatly after putting them on, he doesnt mind wearing them outside but as soon as I bring him in, he does the funny shoe dance and tries to take them off..

...
My toy poodle who is almost 6 pounds smaller than Tucker has no problems what so ever being outside. So I guess it just varies from dog to dog..

ARCHIE · 01-08-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

Thanks for the tip on the Vaseline!

We'll have to try that. My dogs would lick it off though.. I wonder if that's safe?

Franklin and Maggie would NEVER tolerate boots. In fact, they hardly tolerate jackets outside. We had a blizzard on Christmas Eve and they absolutely loved being out in the snow. I literally had to drag them back inside. They didn't seem cold at all.

Don't coat it on, just rub it into the pads to keep them from craking.
Buddy licks it but it's ok. I've been doing this for 5yrs off and on.

KJLive · 01-08-2010, 07:20 AM

Good idea with the Vaseline. However, just make sure you don't over due it. You want the pads to build up some hardness and callous (for lack of a better example) so that they can withstand some cold and some heat. Think back to being a kid and running barefoot. In the spring it would hurt, but by early summer the bottom of your feet were calloused a bit and could stand stepping on a pebble or too. Dogs paws need to be able to do the same thing. Certainly, like Archie, she does it to keep them from cracking but she also allows them to stay "tough". Sophie loves the snow and so does my Biewer. I just make sure they're not out too long. Ivan will refuse if it's too cold, but Sophie will stay out and roll around in the snow. If you click on the link below..you'll see what I mean!

http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_100_2420.jpg

cthalhofer · 01-08-2010, 07:56 AM

Not sure about your temps but - 50 out here with the windchill yesterday we just stay in but he still whines at the door and want to go out so I suited him up jacket boots scarf he love being out even if I was just to do his thing and get one quike lap in but I deff would not let him out without them

01-07-2010, 10:57 AM	#1
Pamp81 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 16	Should I worry about her feet in the cold? This is the first winter we've had our Sunny. It is going to be dangerously cold tonight (only one or two degrees, maybe subzero, and the wind chills are going to be -25, so they say.) There is snow on the ground. I'm going up to buy some little boots for her in a little while, because when I brought her in this morning after her morning walk around the yard with me (it was about 18 degrees out), there were ice crystals in her feet after only a couple of minutes! (I shoveled her a little circle path around the yard--she was so cute on her path!) Am I crazy to worry about her feet and get the boots? I can't imagine it's safe for her to be out on that cold of ground without them, but maybe it is. Pam in Missouri

01-07-2010, 11:41 AM	#6
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	I used to have a little Min Pin that would go out and after being out in the cold for a while her feet would get so cold she could not move...literally! I had to watch her close and when she started to shiver and stand in one place I would have to run out and get her quick. She was a special needs dog with some nerve damage to her back legs so I always thought it was related to that. But now my little Mylee does the same thing. She loves to play but all of a sudden she will get to where she can barely move and looks at me with a freightening look. She will start to pick up one foot at a time and hold it like it hurts or burns but won't move towards coming in. That's when I know she needs to get in fast! When it is bitter cold out you need to watch them very closely. The cold snow can hurt their feet. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

01-07-2010, 11:16 PM	#10
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	Thanks for the tip on the Vaseline! We'll have to try that. My dogs would lick it off though.. I wonder if that's safe? Franklin and Maggie would NEVER tolerate boots. In fact, they hardly tolerate jackets outside. We had a blizzard on Christmas Eve and they absolutely loved being out in the snow. I literally had to drag them back inside. They didn't seem cold at all. __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper

01-08-2010, 06:03 AM	#12
hugz4all4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: upstate NY Posts: 2,114 Blog Entries: 1	Tucker has very sensitive feet and when its really cold outside he wont move and will whine terrible and this after being outside for just a few minutes. I would have to pick him up, warm his feet with my hands just so he could go to the bathroom. This summer we took him for a walk at our local park and just after a few minutes his paws were raw, I had to treat him with antibiotic cream for almost a week before they healed. Anyways, I bought him some cheap, 10.00 little booties that have a hard leather patch on the bottom that velcro tight around his little legs and he wears them and they work perfect.. he does kick them off as long as I take him out immediatly after putting them on, he doesnt mind wearing them outside but as soon as I bring him in, he does the funny shoe dance and tries to take them off..... My toy poodle who is almost 6 pounds smaller than Tucker has no problems what so ever being outside. So I guess it just varies from dog to dog.. __________________ Love all 9 of my furrbutts!

01-08-2010, 07:20 AM	#14
KJLive Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lebanon, PA, USA Posts: 1,162	Good idea with the Vaseline. However, just make sure you don't over due it. You want the pads to build up some hardness and callous (for lack of a better example) so that they can withstand some cold and some heat. Think back to being a kid and running barefoot. In the spring it would hurt, but by early summer the bottom of your feet were calloused a bit and could stand stepping on a pebble or too. Dogs paws need to be able to do the same thing. Certainly, like Archie, she does it to keep them from cracking but she also allows them to stay "tough". Sophie loves the snow and so does my Biewer. I just make sure they're not out too long. Ivan will refuse if it's too cold, but Sophie will stay out and roll around in the snow. If you click on the link below..you'll see what I mean! http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_100_2420.jpg __________________ Sherry, Sophie, Ivan, Alfie, Addie, and Winston Click Here for Information on Biewer Rescue

01-07-2010, 11:07 AM	#2
anpfaff1983 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 61	Chloe and Fiona go out in the snow and they do just fine without boots, in fact I tried them once and Chloe came back in without a few (lost in the snow until spring). I just don't let them stay out too long, they are pretty good about letting me know when they want in the house.

01-07-2010, 11:35 AM	#5
heymia112 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 36 Blog Entries: 1	Wow! Its really cold there! I live in New York...and if I remember correctly the temperature will go down to 20 degrees this weekend (wind chill will make it feel like 10). That is nothing compared to what you're experiencing... Well to answer your question...this is my Duchess' first winter and i've put boots on her only to protect her paws from the salt that is put down in the streets here. The salt was the only concern I had for her...other then being warm. It was too funny watching her get use to them. She is a pro now...running and jumping in the snow- its TOO CUTE! I've read some articles that stress the importance of protecting their little paws from the bitter cold and even the heat in the summer. I guess it depends on the amount of time you have her out. Hope that helped some.

01-07-2010, 11:52 AM	#7
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	Snow, ice and snow&ice removal will indeed harm their feet. Allowing them to potty outdoors is fine but not to long in sever weather. Boots are fine if they stay on. Buddy's never did, however he loves it outdoors. A trick I learned a couple years ago is to put vasoline on the pads. Don't coat it on but rub it in the pads to keep the pads from drying out. Much like putting lipstick or lipbalm on your own lips. It keeps the pads from splitting. I apply it at least twice a week during the winter months. It does help.

01-07-2010, 06:28 PM	#9
bjm2552 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 102	Use the rubber (Balloon looking) boots..They stay on and they don't walk funny!!You really need the boots!!

01-08-2010, 05:17 AM	#11
Pamp81 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 16	Thanks for all of the replies! I went to the store last night and bought about 4 different kinds of boots and socks to try. They were out of the smallest size in several of the styles, so they were too big for her and wouldn't stay on. But the little socks (with little rubber paw prints on the bottom) stayed on and kept her feet from getting encrusted with ice, so they were great! She looks hilarious in them---so adorable. They really work great. It's only 7 degrees here now, so I'm very glad to have them. Pam in Missouri

01-08-2010, 07:56 AM	#15
cthalhofer YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: moosejaw sk Posts: 300	Not sure about your temps but - 50 out here with the windchill yesterday we just stay in but he still whines at the door and want to go out so I suited him up jacket boots scarf he love being out even if I was just to do his thing and get one quike lap in but I deff would not let him out without them