Year-round paw health is vital for a happy pooch, but it’s especially key when the weather changes. Learn how to quickly detect frostbite on paw pads.
Our pups spend the majority of the day on all fours. Those paws are made for movement, and one of our most important jobs as pet owners is to make sure all their mitts and toe beans are protected.
Every paw pad is a little different in size, color, and texture. Your dog’s skin and paw pads act as the first line of defense for their bones and joints.
Naturally, perennial paw health is key for a happy dog, but wintery conditions come with an even more specific set of risks. Your dog’s paws are the first places they lose body heat in the cold (as well as their ears), and one of the worst-case scenarios any pet can face in freezing temperatures is frostbite.
There is no set amount of time that your pet has to be outside to be at risk for frostbite. Once your pet’s core body temperature drops, their extremities (such as their tail and feet) are at a greater risk of frostbite injury.
Below, we’ll cover all you need to know about frostbite as a condition, as well as possible causes and preventative measures to keep your pet as safe as possible.
Frostbite is an injury that occurs most often (but not always) in weather conditions below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Just like with humans, exposure to extreme cold for an extended period of time constricts a dog’s blood vessels and blocks the flow of oxygen to the outer parts of their body. This causes the skin and deeper tissues to freeze and other damage.
Frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes, especially if snow, ice, or moisture is present. If left untreated, it can cause nerve and tissue death and potentially lead to loss of the body part—even if a warm towel is used to help your pet recover from winter weather.
The first indication that your pup has or is on the way to frostbite is their behavior. Major signs of frostbite include:
🚨 If at any point your dog’s paws or extremities turn pale or blue (due to lack of oxygen) or exhibit darkened/blackened discoloration, seek emergency veterinary help immediately.
If your dog shows any of these signs, move them indoors immediately and consider a gentle reheating process to boost their core body temperature. You can begin to increase your pet’s circulation and temperature using warm blankets, placing them in a warm area, and wrapping certain parts of the body that may have been exposed to the cold.
As you do this, have your pup sit or lie down to make them more comfortable. This will keep weight off their paws and give you better access to check for symptoms. If they have frostbite, their foot pads will:
👉 Be sure to check affected areas for any attached ice or snow, particularly between the toes.
Knowing the stages of frostbite in dogs can help you determine how your pet’s condition has progressed. It is important to keep in mind, however, that mild cases can look different compared to severe tissue injury caused by frostbite. Additionally, your pup may react differently if they have an underlying medical condition or are especially sensitive to the combination of cold temperature and wind.
With this in mind, the clinical signs and stages of frostbite in pets can look similar to what is seen in humans:
This is considered to be “mild” frostbite to many, and it doesn’t usually cause permanent damage. Symptoms associated with this stage include pain, tingling, or numbness—especially as you start to warm the affected area.
Superficial, in this case, means that the damage can be on the surface of your pet’s skin. While there may be little permanent damage, your pet might experience more severe pain or discomfort, as well as surface-level liquid-filled blisters. We recommend seeking vet support at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 to help you halt the progression as much as possible.
This is generally considered to be severe frostbite and is indicated by blue or white skin, difficulty moving the affected limb or extremity, and large, fluid-filled blisters. You might notice the skin blackening as necrosis (tissue death) happens. If you see these symptoms in your pet, it’s important to get to the vet as soon as possible to avoid widespread infection throughout your dog’s body.
There are many possible causes of frostbite in dogs, including:
Any pet can fall victim to frostbite under the wrong circumstances. While some dog breeds are better suited for colder conditions, like Siberian huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Samoyeds, no pup should ever be left unattended in extreme weather for a prolonged period of time.
Some dogs, however, do run a higher risk of overexposure than others:
Paw frostbite requires immediate care and intervention. Most cases are mild and may only cause minor cosmetic damage, but frostbite is still a medical emergency and should always be evaluated by a veterinarian to prevent long-term damage.
That said, if you suspect your dog is suffering from paw frostbite, here are several fast and necessary steps to take:
👉 Don’t use lotions, ointments, or other products meant for humans!
🚨 Depending on the extent of the frostbite, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, or in extreme cases, shock therapy and/or amputation may be required.
The easiest way to avoid frostbite is to limit outdoor activities with your pup when weather conditions are at their wintery worst. A good rule of thumb is: if it feels too cold outside for you, it’s too cold outside for your pup.
Frostbite is an injury that occurs most often (but not always) in weather conditions below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Just like with humans, exposure to extreme cold for an extended period of time constricts a dog’s blood vessels and blocks the flow of oxygen to the outer parts of their body. This causes the skin and deeper tissues to freeze and other damage.
Frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes, especially if snow, ice, or moisture is present. If left untreated, it can cause nerve and tissue death and potentially lead to loss of the body part—even if a warm towel is used to help your pet recover from winter weather.
The first indication that your pup has or is on the way to frostbite is their behavior. Major signs of frostbite include:
🚨 If at any point your dog’s paws or extremities turn pale or blue (due to lack of oxygen) or exhibit darkened/blackened discoloration, seek emergency veterinary help immediately.
If your dog shows any of these signs, move them indoors immediately and consider a gentle reheating process to boost their core body temperature. You can begin to increase your pet’s circulation and temperature using warm blankets, placing them in a warm area, and wrapping certain parts of the body that may have been exposed to the cold.
As you do this, have your pup sit or lie down to make them more comfortable. This will keep weight off their paws and give you better access to check for symptoms. If they have frostbite, their foot pads will:
👉 Be sure to check affected areas for any attached ice or snow, particularly between the toes.
Knowing the stages of frostbite in dogs can help you determine how your pet’s condition has progressed. It is important to keep in mind, however, that mild cases can look different compared to severe tissue injury caused by frostbite. Additionally, your pup may react differently if they have an underlying medical condition or are especially sensitive to the combination of cold temperature and wind.
With this in mind, the clinical signs and stages of frostbite in pets can look similar to what is seen in humans:
This is considered to be “mild” frostbite to many, and it doesn’t usually cause permanent damage. Symptoms associated with this stage include pain, tingling, or numbness—especially as you start to warm the affected area.
Superficial, in this case, means that the damage can be on the surface of your pet’s skin. While there may be little permanent damage, your pet might experience more severe pain or discomfort, as well as surface-level liquid-filled blisters. We recommend seeking vet support at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 to help you halt the progression as much as possible.
This is generally considered to be severe frostbite and is indicated by blue or white skin, difficulty moving the affected limb or extremity, and large, fluid-filled blisters. You might notice the skin blackening as necrosis (tissue death) happens. If you see these symptoms in your pet, it’s important to get to the vet as soon as possible to avoid widespread infection throughout your dog’s body.
There are many possible causes of frostbite in dogs, including:
Any pet can fall victim to frostbite under the wrong circumstances. While some dog breeds are better suited for colder conditions, like Siberian huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Samoyeds, no pup should ever be left unattended in extreme weather for a prolonged period of time.
Some dogs, however, do run a higher risk of overexposure than others:
Paw frostbite requires immediate care and intervention. Most cases are mild and may only cause minor cosmetic damage, but frostbite is still a medical emergency and should always be evaluated by a veterinarian to prevent long-term damage.
That said, if you suspect your dog is suffering from paw frostbite, here are several fast and necessary steps to take:
👉 Don’t use lotions, ointments, or other products meant for humans!
🚨 Depending on the extent of the frostbite, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, or in extreme cases, shock therapy and/or amputation may be required.
The easiest way to avoid frostbite is to limit outdoor activities with your pup when weather conditions are at their wintery worst. A good rule of thumb is: if it feels too cold outside for you, it’s too cold outside for your pup.
👉 Ice and snow can easily become trapped between your dog’s pads and toes.
Just because the winter months make outdoor activities a little trickier doesn’t mean you have to avoid them altogether. As we know, dogs are born to run, walk, fetch, and play. Keeping them cooped up will only result in boredom, and we can’t have that!
Here are three safety tips that can help you care for your pup outdoors in the snowy season(s):
Since older pets and paralyzed pets have a much harder time regulating their body heat, taking extra precautions is a must.
And remember, a pup’s paws are the first contact they have with the world. Keeping their foot pads dry and warm is the best way to maintain their body temp and protect them from those tough winter days.
Snow and ice can potentially dry out your dog’s paw pads or lead to frostbite. It’s important to protect your dog’s feet against extreme winter conditions with gear such as dog boots.
Look for signs such as paws that feel cold and brittle to the touch, are discolored (pale pink, white, gray, blue, or black), have cracks/lesions or inflammation, and any areas of blackened or dead skin. According to the ASPCA, frostbite may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. In fact, it can take days or weeks after the initial exposure to develop, so be sure to check ear tips, tail tips, and paw pads for any injury even after your dog is warm.
Frostbite can develop in less than 30 minutes in conditions below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
