Headed out in the snow with your pup? See these tips to help their paws.

Worried about your dog being cold this winter? These tips will help with their paws.
Dogs Meechy, left, and Lil Man, right, investigate the snow in their winter jackets along Kim Watt
Dogs Meechy, left, and Lil Man, right, investigate the snow in their winter jackets along Kim Watt / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA
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Going outside in the cold is never fun and for the most part, pet parents try to bundle up. Things can get a bit dicey when it comes to your dogs, though.

While some people put them in coats, people don't usually tend to do anything about their paws. As much as we cover our hands and protect them during the winter, it's only right to do it for our furry friends.

Whether you're headed out on a snowy walk with them or just want to let them outside to play, you never know what your pup can get into. As curious as dogs can be, you don't know if they'll end up stepping on rocks or rock salt especially if they're walking on the sidewalk.

That's why I had to share tips from Ernie Kucera who is an Outdoor Dog Expert at Ruffwear as he shared some potential dangers and how to keep your dog's paws safe this winter.

See these tips for helping your pups with their paws this winter.

To begin, Kucera shared that if there is grit on the ground, it can either make your dog's paws sore or make them burn. Ultimately, no one wants that so the first tip he shared is to make sure that you walk at a place that is grit-free. By taking away this variable, your pup has less of a chance of being hurt, which is exactly what you want to prevent. He suggested walking them in a park or a field as the ground is bound to be a little softer.

The other thing he stressed is that snow and ice work together to make your dog's paws dry and cracked. Personally, I think of it as a pet parent having chapped lips as you want to soothe them so why not do the same for your dog? The alternative to that is to get your dog some dog boots as a way to help prevent injury and also to make them look extra cute.

Additionally, it's always smart to be alert when your pup is walking on grit because ingesting it can be poisonous to dogs. Some of the symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, breathing difficulties, and drinking lots of water. If you think they've ingested some grit, it's best to contact your vet immediately and they'll be able to guide you from there.

Ultimately, it's up to you on which tips you decide to use this winter but if it keeps your pup safe this year, how can you say no?

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