Protecting Your Dog's Feet During the Winter

Living in an urban area, protecting your dog's feet during the colder months becomes an issue simply because so many shop owners and buildings put out salt on the street. If you weren't already aware, the salt that's laid out all over sidewalks can do a whole lot of damage.

First, lime rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate and dry out your the pads of your dog's feet, causing them to crack and become infected. (Salt—as well as antifreeze from cars—can even cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked.) Secondly, small balls of ice can also form in the sensitive spaces between a dog's toes and pads. So, as a rule, it's a good idea to wipe your dog's feet clean with a paper towel saturated with warm water as soon as you get back into your house or apartment. But if you want to be even more careful, below are a few more options:

Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax
Activedogs.com
$11.99-$27.99
I have used this many times on my dog, and it is amazing. Developed in Canada for sledding dogs, this wax forms a barrier to protect the pads of your dog's feet. It's made from 100% natural (and safe) waxes, and it guards the feet from ice build-up, salt, and chemicals. You simply spread a thin later on your dog's pads before going outside. Just think of it as heavy-duty Chap Stick or Aquaphor.

Muttlucks Dog Boots
Drs Foster and Smith
$44.99-$52.99
These are probably the most popular dog booties on the market, and they promise to keep your dog's feet dry and warm. They're made with heavy-duty leather soles; they're fleece-lined; and they Velcro around the dog's ankle. They may take some getting used to (for both you and your dog), but they're worth it especially if you live in a cold, snowy climate. (Riley even had a pair...until she ate them.)

Pawz Rubber Dog Boots
Metropawlis Pet Boutique
$15.00
Also quite popular, these rubber boots are inexpensive, reusable, biodegradeable, and easy to put on because there are no straps. They are made in a variety of bright colors and sizes, and they come with 12 in a package. Pawz are not the most aesthetically pleasing dog footwear around, but they definitely do the job.

Neoprene Dog Booties
L.L. Bean
$39.00
Similar to Muttluks—although more like a durable sock—these are made of flexible neoprene and come in both orange and black.

Bark'n Boots Grip Trex
Ruffwear
$59.95
For the hardcore canine athlete, these are great for runs in snowy climates. According to the company, they have "an upper inspired by human shoes, and a high performance Vibram® sole."

Finding Pet-Friendly Hotels

A few days ago, I posted a site that could help you find pet-friendly apartments in New York. But you should also check out the site Luxury Paw for luxury, pet-friendly accommodations for when you'll be traveling. All you have to do is type in your destination and the size of your pet, and it lists every hotel in the area that allows dogs.

Image via hotelsoftherichandfamous.com

I don't know if you've ever tried to find a hotel where dogs are welcome at the last minute, but it can be a total disaster. And oftentimes, it seems that the only hotels that accept dogs are ones where...well, let's just say they're ones where you'd feel less-than-safe—from both intruders and germs.

Definitely take a look at http://www.luxurypaw.com/ the next time you're thinking of traveling with your pet.

Find Pet-Friendly Apartments!

Looking for apartments that accept dogs, especially in New York City, can be a serious pain in the ass. Many buildings simply don't accept them, and sorting through various options can take a whole lot of unnecessary time. But one site, My Apartment Map, makes it way easier. Seriously, the site is genius.

Image via arose4u.com

How it works is, you just go to http://www.myapartmentmap.com/pet_friendly/, type in the zip code you want to live in, and select which type of animal you have. In seconds, they list all the pet-friendly apartments in your area. Cool, right?

What I love about this site is that they also promote pet adoption. So, if you're even thinking of adopting a dog in the future, this site can save you a ton of grief in the long run.

When I moved into my building, I had to assure the leasing company that my dog weighed less than 30 lbs. I told them "yes." Meanwhile, Riley weighs 34 lbs. But so you don't have to be a liar like me (and live with the guilt), check out this site first.

Doggie Disaster Duds

You can now get a pet emergency evacuation jacket. Yep, I thought it was fake too, but it’s for real. According to Trendhunter, the jacket is “made from material used by Japanese firefighters” and “this flame retardant suit protects your pet and is equipped with a handle to quickly make a run for it when a situation gets deadly. The jacket holds an abundance of items—that could be heavier than your pet—like a food bowl, rubber booties, muzzle, rain coat, freezer gel packs, nutrition bars, etc.”

Yes, this could save your life as well as your pet’s in an emergency, flood, whatever, but it pretty much guarantees you’re going to have back problems for the rest of your life. Good times.

Bear in mind, this is also only for people who have extra cash to burn during the recession. It retails for about $475 at Japan Trend Shop.

(Thanks so much for sending, Nina!)

Dog Park Politics

I take Riley to Central Park during off-leash hours just about every morning, and we tend to hang out with the same group of dogs and their owners each day. But it wasn’t always that way. There was a time when we’d awkwardly stand at the outskirts of a group of dogs playing, their owners huddled in a semicircle. We’d hope that someone would notice us, give a nod, and offer an opening for conversation, and ultimately, acceptance.

Image via theweblicist.com

See, the thing is, Riley doesn’t really get the whole playing gently thing. She growls when she runs to act tough, and she body-checks. She stands protectively over water bowls, and she even steals other dogs’ sticks. Luckily, my “dog park friends” have grown to laugh at Riley’s idiosyncrasies because they know she’d never hurt a fly. She’s even affectionately been dubbed “The Fun Police” for her tendency to try to herd up other dogs who appear to be having a good time without her.

Still, I’ve realized that dog park politics are very real, and they simply come with being a dog owner during off-leash hours. Here are a few things (some rules, really) that I have learned and have saved me, and my at-times socially awkward dog, from being shunned:

• If your dog does something bad (eg, steals another dog’s ball, growls at someone he doesn’t like, etc.), play dumb and smile.
• Ask before feeding another dog a treat. Not doing so will incite rage in those dog owners who only feed their animals things like organic boneless chicken breasts ordered in from Swifty’s.
• If you have a pit bull or pit bull mix of any kind, you are sort of screwed. People will look you up and down and whisper behind your back, convinced your dog is only seconds away from eating their pet. It’s awful and unfair, really. You will have to work doubly hard for acceptance.
• If your (larger) dog is playing with a Maltese, Yorkie, or Havanese, you will be blamed for any drama that ensues, even if the little punk is the one who started something.
• Treat the dog park like a dinner party: Avoid topics like religion and politics. That conversation is not going to end up anywhere good.
• That hot guy throwing a ball to his German Shepherd? Yep, he’s got a girlfriend. Don’t waste your time.
• Even if you think a certain dog owner is beyond bizarre, tell him that his dog is beautiful and be diplomatic while your dogs play. Your dog shouldn’t have to give up friends just because the thought of talking to a certain dog’s owner makes you want to jump in front of a bus. Suck it up.
• If your dog is a humper, rein that sh*t in.
• Befriend park rangers and staff. Then they won’t out you to the 5-0 when you have your dog off the leash a few minutes after 9 am.
• Bring extra water to share. It will make people like you.

Think I’m missing anything?