Monitor — routine vet appointment

Keeping dogs safe on winter walks

Rinse paws after every winter walk to remove grit salt. If you suspect antifreeze ingestion, go to an emergency vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms. Never follow a dog onto ice.

Dog

In the next 60 seconds

GRIT SALT ON PAWS:
After every winter walk, rinse all four paws with clean lukewarm water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
If ingested: small amounts — rinse the mouth with water and offer fresh drinking water. Monitor for any symptoms. Contact your vet if large amounts are suspected (a dog licking heavily salted ice for a prolonged period) or any symptoms develop.
SUSPECTED ANTIFREEZE INGESTION:
This is a time-critical emergency. Do NOT wait for symptoms — by the time kidney failure signs appear, treatment is far less likely to succeed.
Rush to an emergency vet immediately. The antidote (ethanol or fomepizole) is effective only within the first few hours of ingestion.
Bring the antifreeze product if you know the brand — the vet can confirm ethylene glycol vs propylene glycol (safer).
Do NOT induce vomiting at home in dogs unless specifically instructed by a vet — it is not safe without clinical oversight.
HYPOTHERMIA:
Move the dog indoors or to a sheltered, warm environment immediately.
Remove wet clothing (coats, harnesses) if soaked.
Warm the dog gradually — do not use hot water bottles directly on skin (use towels between the bottle and the body) or very hot air from a hairdryer (use lowest setting, held at distance).
Offer small amounts of warm water if the dog is conscious and able to swallow.
Wrap in warm blankets, especially around the core.
Mild hypothermia may respond to warming at home. Moderate to severe hypothermia (no shivering, reduced consciousness, very pale gums) = emergency vet immediately.
SNOW BETWEEN TOES:
Move the dog off snow onto a clear surface. Gently remove packed snow with warm (not hot) water. Dry the feet thoroughly. Check for ice cuts between the toes.
ICE INCIDENT:
NEVER go onto ice after a dog. Call 999 if the dog cannot get out — fire and rescue can assist.
If the dog gets out themselves: treat for hypothermia as above.

Recognise the signs

GRIT SALT INGESTION: excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, muscle tremors in large amounts (sodium poisoning)
ANTIFREEZE (ethylene glycol) TOXICITY — EARLY (30 min to 12 hours): appearing 'drunk' or ataxic, stumbling, disorientation, vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, apparent recovery phase
ANTIFREEZE TOXICITY — LATE (24–72 hours): acute kidney failure — vomiting, lethargy, not urinating, collapse
HYPOTHERMIA: shivering (which may stop in severe hypothermia as muscles fatigue), lethargy, muscle stiffness, pale or blue-tinged gums, reduced consciousness
SNOW PACKING IN TOES: limping, licking at paws, ice balls visible between toes
ICE FALL: wet dog, distress, hypothermia signs, possible injury from ice edges

First aid steps

GRIT SALT ON PAWS:
After every winter walk, rinse all four paws with clean lukewarm water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
If ingested: small amounts — rinse the mouth with water and offer fresh drinking water. Monitor for any symptoms. Contact your vet if large amounts are suspected (a dog licking heavily salted ice for a prolonged period) or any symptoms develop.
SUSPECTED ANTIFREEZE INGESTION:
This is a time-critical emergency. Do NOT wait for symptoms — by the time kidney failure signs appear, treatment is far less likely to succeed.
Rush to an emergency vet immediately. The antidote (ethanol or fomepizole) is effective only within the first few hours of ingestion.
Bring the antifreeze product if you know the brand — the vet can confirm ethylene glycol vs propylene glycol (safer).
Do NOT induce vomiting at home in dogs unless specifically instructed by a vet — it is not safe without clinical oversight.
HYPOTHERMIA:
Move the dog indoors or to a sheltered, warm environment immediately.
Remove wet clothing (coats, harnesses) if soaked.
Warm the dog gradually — do not use hot water bottles directly on skin (use towels between the bottle and the body) or very hot air from a hairdryer (use lowest setting, held at distance).
Offer small amounts of warm water if the dog is conscious and able to swallow.
Wrap in warm blankets, especially around the core.
Mild hypothermia may respond to warming at home. Moderate to severe hypothermia (no shivering, reduced consciousness, very pale gums) = emergency vet immediately.
SNOW BETWEEN TOES:
Move the dog off snow onto a clear surface. Gently remove packed snow with warm (not hot) water. Dry the feet thoroughly. Check for ice cuts between the toes.
ICE INCIDENT:
NEVER go onto ice after a dog. Call 999 if the dog cannot get out — fire and rescue can assist.
If the dog gets out themselves: treat for hypothermia as above.

Do NOT

Do NOT follow a dog onto thin ice — you are likely to break through also and become the victim
Do NOT warm a hypothermic dog too rapidly — this can cause cardiovascular shock
Do NOT wait for symptoms if antifreeze ingestion is suspected
Do NOT allow dogs to drink from puddles in car parks or areas where vehicles are parked
Do NOT ignore excessive paw licking after winter walks

While transporting to the vet

When to phone the vet immediately

Any suspected antifreeze ingestion — always emergency
Hypothermia where shivering has stopped and dog is becoming unresponsive
Dog has fallen through ice and is unable to get out
Signs of sodium poisoning from large grit salt ingestion (seizures, muscle tremors)
Paw pad wounds from ice edges

When it can usually wait

Common causes

Grit salt (rock salt/sodium chloride) on roads and pavements — toxic if ingested in significant amounts
Antifreeze puddles (ethylene glycol) — highly toxic and potentially fatal in tiny quantities
Ice — dog breaks through onto frozen water body
Cold water immersion — hypothermia risk
Reduced daylight — dogs and owners invisible in traffic
Snow packing between toes — especially in long-coated breeds

What you'll need

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What the vet will need to know

What the dog was exposed to and when
For antifreeze: how much and how long ago — and the product brand if known
Current symptoms and when they began
Dog's current temperature if you have a thermometer (normal canine rectal temp is 38–39.2°C)
Gum colour
Whether the dog is responsive and conscious

Aftercare

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Prevention

Walk before gritting lorries are active, or rinse paws thoroughly on return
Apply paw balm or wax before walks to create a protective barrier against grit salt and ice
Use a high-visibility jacket on your dog for dark morning and evening winter walks
Attach LED collar lights or clip-on lights for visibility in traffic
Avoid areas where antifreeze puddles are likely — car parks, driveways, garages
Store antifreeze securely — never leave containers open or accessible
Consider dog boots for breeds prone to snow packing between toes
Invest in a good dog coat for short-coated, small, elderly, or ill dogs in very cold weather

Breed-specific notes

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Frequently asked questions

Is grit salt really dangerous for dogs?

In small amounts from paws, the main concern is irritation to the pads and minor gastrointestinal upset from licking. True sodium chloride poisoning requires ingestion of a significant quantity — but some dogs actively lick grit from pavements, especially if the salt has a taste they find appealing. Rinsing paws after every walk is a simple, effective precaution.

How much antifreeze is toxic to a dog?

The toxic dose of ethylene glycol for dogs is approximately 4.4 ml/kg of body weight — meaning a single small puddle lapped by a medium-sized dog could be fatal. Some antifreeze products now use propylene glycol, which is far less toxic, but you cannot tell them apart without the packaging. Treat any suspected antifreeze exposure as an emergency.

What temperature is too cold for walking a dog in winter?

This depends entirely on the breed, coat type, size, age, and health. A Malamute is comfortable at -10°C; a Chihuahua may be at risk at 5°C. As a general rule: if small, short-coated, elderly, or unwell, limit exposure below 5°C and always use a coat. Watch for shivering, reluctance to walk, or lifting of paws — all signs the dog is too cold.

My dog fell into a river in winter and got out by herself. Should I see a vet?

Yes — if the immersion was prolonged (more than a few minutes) or if you cannot warm the dog up rapidly at home, a vet check is advisable. Cold water immersion can cause delayed pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs) and hypothermia can be more severe than it initially appears. Call your vet for telephone guidance at minimum.

Are dog coats and boots actually necessary or are they just fashion?

For many dogs, they are genuinely necessary. A good-quality dog coat for short-coated, small-bodied, elderly, or ill dogs significantly reduces hypothermia risk in cold weather. Paw protection — balm, wax, or boots — is practical protection against grit salt, ice burns, and snow packing. They are not merely accessories.

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