You meant to take your dog outside for a simple walk and game of fetch, but instead, they returned home with painful nicks, tears and a new salty snack embedded in their paws. “We see lots of salt usage over the winter with the rough winters that can happen, cold temperatures and icy conditions,” says Dr. Grant Little, a small animal veterinarian and veterinary expert at JustAnswer. “There are lots of salt products that people use to keep the freezing temperature of the ice lower, and some of them are more problematic for pets, and some of them are ‘safer.’ I use the quotes, because overall it depends on the dose of how much a pet licks off.”

While your dog’s paws can be quite resilient to ice-melting salt and other debris, they aren’t invincible. “Dog paw pads are relatively tough, as they are composed of thick calloused skin, fat and connective tissue,” says Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance. “However, they still need protection from weather extremes like hot pavement, snow and ice.”

In order to lower the dose of salt your dog ingests, or to mitigate the physical harm it can pose on their paws, Little says there are steps you can take and items worth the investment. Here, the best vet-approved protective dog products to keep your furry friends safe on salted sidewalks this winter.

Ruffwear

A pair of non-slip dog boots

“First of all, I would consider dog boots,” says Dr. Bethany Hsia, veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet. “I’ve purchased Ruffwear Grip Trex dog boots because of their durable Vibram soles that provide traction and shield paws from salt and sharp debris. They’re also breathable and secure, making them ideal for active dogs.” They feature a padded mesh lining, a hook-and-loop ankle strap and a malleable sole to promote range of motion.

Promising review: “Love, love, love these shoes! Best dog shoes I’ve ever tried on my dog and I’ve tried several. The fit is perfect and I love how you buy them in pairs so you can get a different size for the back paws for a perfect fit. My dog is an avid hiker who loves to run and climb. These shoes do not slow him down any. The grip on these shoes is the best I’ve ever seen in a dog shoe. He can still climb rocks and such without slipping. These also have protected his paws from more extreme/rocky terrain and the salt in the winter time. These also keep him clean during the snowy/rainy seasons because they don’t kick up dirt and mud under his undercarriage when he runs.” —  GirlonGirl

$50 at Amazon

$50 at Chewy

… or a more affordable pair that offers even more coverage

“Generally, boots are a great option as a physical barrier and we like to see owners use these,” says Little. “It’s nice if the boot can go a little past the wrist and paw in order to stay up higher.” We found these full-coverage booties available in light pink or green. Enjoy their reflective details for added visibility in low-light conditions.

Promising review: “These worked well for our pup this winter! It took getting used to for her, and took a minute for us to keep her calm enough to put it on! However, once on and she took her first trot, she forgot about them and we got our long walks in, on top of and around the salt and ice! A plus, we had a matching coat for her! 🙂 Would recommend, no issues with durability. They worked for the season and are still good to go!” —  BusyMom

$29+ at Amazon

A protective dog paw wax

“I’ve recommended to pet parents a natural wax called Musher’s Secret Paw Protection, which forms a barrier on the paw pad protecting against salt, chemicals and cold,” says Hsia. “It’s made from natural ingredients so it’s safe if your dog licks it off.” Plus, she says it doesn’t restrict movement, and the product is safe to use on pre-existing sore spots.

Promising review: “Love this product. It does not have any odor, nor have I found it to transfer onto carpets and floors. My dog’s paws were getting a little cracked. This product is wonderful. I massage it onto his clean paws. His paw pads have softened and the cracks are gone. I had some excess on my fingers, I took out too much, so I just put it on the top of my hand and worked it into my skin. I was surprised how well it worked. I struggle with cracked heels, so I checked the website, which said humans can use it too. Nothing has worked on my heels like this. My dogs paw pads are much softer and my heels feel great too! Worth a try and a little goes a long way. Highly recommend, especially due to the rough winter we’ve had and the salt the dog walks on from the snow preparation.” —  BigJim

$16

A pack of wipes to keep their paws clean

“If I let my dog outside for a short time and don’t have time to put on booties, then I like Earth Rated dog wipes to clean paws and remove salt and chemicals before your dog licks them,” says Hsia. “They’re hypoallergenic and make post-walk clean-up from salt and chemicals easy.” Bonus: These textured wipes feature pup-loving ingredients like aloe, cucumber, shea butter and camomile to give them a s-paw day head to toe.

Promising review: “Our dog gets dirty just looking at mud. These wipes are mild, work well and don’t fall apart as you use them. I use them to clean salt from between her paws in our suburban snow-plowed neighborhood. We are on our second shipment. It doesn’t bother her face if we use them to wipe her down either.” —  zoedognj

$10 at Amazon

Honest Company

… or simply a pack of additive-free baby wipes

It turns out, you don’t necessarily need to invest in dog-specific wipes to get protective benefits. “Use anything without added chemicals,” said Little. “I like normal non-treated baby wipes or wet wipes. This will allow you to get in between the digits and clean off the paws thoroughly to get rid of all of the salt and debris present in between the paws. Honest Company baby wipes are untreated and I’ve used that for children and animals, but there are lots of options available. Essentially by removing the debris, you are taking away the problematic substance, so whatever helps that doesn’t replace it with its own irritant will work.”

Promising review: “I use Honest Company Clean Wipes to wipe my dog’s paws, butt and pee after bathroom breaks and walkies, and they work wonderfully! They’re gentle, fragrance-free, and strong enough to handle messes without falling apart. I love that they’re made with safe ingredients, so I don’t have to worry about irritation. Plus, they’re super convenient for quick cleanups. If you’re looking for a reliable wipe for your pup, these are a great choice!” —  Sheri P.

$20 at Amazon

Kindfull

A balm you two can share

Got something gentle you love on your own skin? Try it on your pup when salt season is in full swing. “The idea behind this is similar to us using lotion on our skin,” says Little. “You’re trying to keep the skin barrier fortified, and by using balms you’re keeping the tissue healthier, more hydrated and acting as a barrier to the elements.” He explains that the most crucial goal is to pick a balm that’s free of chemicals or oils that can further irritate the skin or trigger allergies, which is common in dogs. “If [the balm] makes them lick [their skin] more than before, the skin is turning red or it’s itchy and causing more licking, then it is best to not use anything at all.” He called out Burts Bee’s balm or this Kindfull balm from Target made uniquely for pets as great options worth trying this season.  

Promising review: “This winter has been harsh on my pup’s nose and paws with all the cold dry air. This stuff works amazing! And it must taste kinda bad because my dog didn’t lick it off.” — motnach

$8 at Target

Yabife

A dog clipper kit to keep them safe

It turns out long nails aren’t only a scratching hazard and quick ticket to walking discomfort, but they can be putting them at greater risk in the great outdoors. “Being consistent with nail trims, trimming excess fur between the toes and examining your dog’s paws frequently can help prevent or catch issues early,” says Cahn. This all-in-one grooming solution that we sourced on Amazon features a whisper-quiet nail grinder to shorten and shape nails without frightening them, an LED safety light for enhanced visibility and three speeds to target an array of nail densities.

Promising review: “I’m incredibly grateful for having this set to trim my dog’s nails. She literally just laid in my lap and has been allowing me to trim them without a constant stream of treats and whining. I think she didn’t like the pressure of manual clippers, so she doesn’t mind the electric one. It’s made cutting her nails quick, easy and painless. I love that there’s a light so you can see what you’re doing AND it’s quick on dark nails. It’s not too loud so she isn’t scared at all. It works so well. It’s comfortable in my hand and clips the nails so quickly. Love this thing.” —  Ms. Quiñones

$19 at Amazon

Soggy Doggy

A super-absorbent microfiber towel

“After walks, wiping or rinsing paws and drying them thoroughly helps remove snow, salt and chemicals before they can cause irritation,” said Cahn. “Warm water and a soft cloth work well.” Based on this guidance, you may want to add this highly absorbent soft chenille cloth from Soggy Doggy that we found on Amazon to your pup’s post-walk (and post-bath!) routine to keep paws dry and free of irritation. It’s complete with convenient hand pockets to facilitate underbelly and under-paw drying so you can tackle more ground in less time.

Promising review: “Works great! After the dog park, his rinse and dry sessions are a breeze with this item. This is my favorite after trying others during the puppy years. The quality is good. The pocket holder on each ends make drying easier.” —  YMCA Mermaid

$24 at Amazon