"Worrying About Calcium Chloride in the Cold" Winter Walk Risks for Dogs...Pet Owners' Anxiety [Kim Suwan's Animal Report]

Indoor Pet Dog Temperature Management Important
Beware of Calcium Chloride During Snowy Walks...Risk of Burns, Blisters
Expert "Winter Walks Hypothermia, Caution Needed for Deicing Agents"

On the morning of the 13th, when a heavy snow warning was issued across Seoul and various parts of the country, a dog was taking a walk around Cheongun Park in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "Is it okay to take a walk on a snowy day?", "My dog's paws are bleeding after a walk, but I don't know why."

Recently, as cold weather continues, pet owners' concerns are increasing. Not only colds and various skin diseases, but also dogs can get injured during walks due to de-icing agents spread on the roads on snowy days. Experts emphasize that walking dogs is essential even in winter, but caution is needed due to risks such as hypothermia and frostbite.

On online pet communities like 'GangsaMo' (Gangajireul Saranghaneun Moim, meaning 'A Group That Loves Dogs') and various online forums, inquiries related to winter dog walks such as "Can I walk my dog on a snowy day?", "Calcium chloride on dog's paws", and "What should I do if my dog steps on de-icing agents?" are commonly found.

In online communities such as 'Gangsamo' (a group of dog lovers), posts are being made inquiring about winter dog walks. Photo by Naver screen capture

One member posted a question titled "Can dogs also have cold paws?" saying, "I took my dog for a walk on the first snowy day recently, but after a few minutes, my dog lifted one paw," and added, "I don't know if it's because of the patella or because it was cold. I'm curious about your thoughts."

The post received comments such as "A veterinarian told me dogs can get frostbite too," "It might be because of the calcium chloride spread when it snows," and "Walks should be shorter on cold days."

◆ Walking is essential even in winter...Beware of hypothermia and frostbite

Although outdoor activities are often avoided due to the cold in winter, walking is essential for dogs' health and stress management. However, there are several precautions to take when walking dogs in winter.

First, long walks can cause hypothermia, so caution is necessary. Normally, a dog's body temperature is about 38?39°C, higher than humans, but prolonged exposure to cold can cause hypothermia symptoms when the temperature drops below 32°C. Also, tails and ear tips can suffer frostbite.

Therefore, it is recommended to keep winter walks within about 30 minutes. Even for active dogs, walks should not exceed one hour.

Additionally, depending on the breed, some dogs are more sensitive to cold or have delicate skin, so they may need to wear clothes. Nowadays, since most companion dogs live indoors, they are more vulnerable to cold, so special attention to warmth is necessary.

A building manager is spreading calcium chloride on an uphill section at an apartment in Onui-dong, Chuncheon City. Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Caution needed for 'calcium chloride' on snowy days...Risk of burns, blisters, and eczema

Moreover, calcium chloride, a de-icing agent spread to prevent slipping on icy roads, can cause burns if it comes into contact with a dog's skin or paw pads, so extra caution is required.

Calcium chloride, a chemical substance, can cause wounds, burns, blisters, and eczema on dogs' paw pads. To protect their paws, some owners use dog-specific shoes. However, most dogs refuse to wear shoes, so it is important to wash their paws thoroughly with warm water after walks.

Also, if a dog ingests calcium chloride, it can cause digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea. Owners should be careful to prevent dogs from licking calcium chloride during walks, and if ingestion occurs, the dog should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately.

It is best to avoid walking on days with heavy snowfall, and it is recommended to avoid roads treated with calcium chloride as much as possible.

On March 21st, a pet dog is playing at a pet hotel in Gaksan-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Indoor activities like nose work and tug-of-war as alternatives to walks

On extremely cold days with cold wave warnings, various indoor activities can be alternatives to walks.

Tug-of-war, where dogs bite toys such as ropes, towels, or stuffed animals and push and pull them, helps dogs expend a lot of energy in a short time.

There is also nose work, a scent-based game. Treats are hidden inside cloths or papers around the house, and dogs use their sense of smell to find them. This helps reduce stress for dogs that spend long hours indoors.

Experts advise that the risk of exposure to dangers during winter dog walks is high, so extra caution is necessary.

Dr. Kelly Ryan, a veterinarian, told the U.S. pet media 'PetMD', "Instead of exposing dogs to extreme temperature changes, it is better to let them gradually adapt to lower temperatures over a long period." She advised, "Do not take one-hour walks as you do in warm weather; start with about 10 minutes and gradually increase to 30 minutes. If your dog looks cold, bring them inside immediately."

Regarding de-icing agents, she emphasized, "(Calcium chloride, etc.) can get stuck between dogs' toes and cause their paws to crack," and added, "Pay special attention to their paws and belly, and make sure to clean or wash their paws well after returning home."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.