Ready North / Blog / The three-minute after-walk routine for salty, icy sidewalks
The three-minute after-walk routine for salty, icy sidewalks
By the Editorial team · Published Oct 20, 2026 · General information, not veterinary advice, and not reviewed by a licensed veterinarian. About and sources
Salt, sand and ice melt stick to paws and bellies, and dogs lick them off. The ASPCA has a simple routine.
The routine
The ASPCA says to wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach after each walk to remove ice, salt and chemicals, and to check for cracked paw pads or redness between the toes. A towel on long walks can clean off stinging paws.
Before the walk
It also says to massage petroleum jelly or other vet-approved paw protectant into paw pads before going out, that booties can add coverage, and to use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
Antifreeze
The ASPCA says antifreeze is lethal to dogs and cats, to clean up spills thoroughly, and to consider products with propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. If you think your pet ate antifreeze or another toxin, it says to call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away.
Lost in the snow
The ASPCA says dogs can lose their scent in snow and get lost, that more dogs are lost in winter than in any other season, and that dogs should always wear an ID tag and never be off leash on snow or ice, especially in a snowstorm.
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