Why are my dog's paw pads chapped and nose discolored in winter?

There are breeds of dogs that are prone to a seasonal lightening of the nasal planum (the hard, tough, hairless end of their nose). Sometimes referred to as “Snow Nose” these dogs (Siberian Huskies, Labradors and Golden Retrievers) can have darker noses in the summer months and lighter noses in the winter. These same breeds plus German Shepherds, Samoyeds, Afghan Hounds and Dobermans (among others) can also experience a gradual or waxing and lightening or fading of their nose color over time. This condition is known as “Dudley Nose." Vitiligo is a progressive disease in which the melanocytes are gradually destroyed causing unpigmented areas on the skin. They develop pigment loss from their skin or hair on their heads, but it can occur in other locations too. In some cases, antibodies against melanocytes have been identified in the serum of infected dogs indicating an immune component to the disorder. And skin biopsies of the affected areas will typically reveal a total lack of any remaining melanocytes. What all three of these causes for depigmentation have is common is the fact that they are not a disease that can bother or hurt your dog at all. There is no reason to worry about them and there is nothing to be done to ‘correct’ them. The depigmentation is purely cosmetic. Some depigmentation is cause for concern. For instance, any contact dermatitis/irritation can cause depigmentation as can certain chemicals in rubber that can affect the production of melanin pigment where the rubber touches the skin. The administration of certain drugs like ketoconazole, procainamide, and vitamin E have been reported to cause generalized changes in coat color in dogs, and injections of other drugs (glucocorticoids, for instance) can cause localized loss of pigment. Additionally, hormonal disorders (imbalances of thyroid, adrenal or sex hormones) can alter pigmentation as can bacterial and fungal infections and even cancers (neoplasias). Immune-mediated diseases also occur in dogs where the dog’s own antibodies attack different parts of the skin resulting in depigmentation. I recommend getting your dog seen by your vet just to be safe. She is young for some of these conditions to occur, but nothing is impossible.

It is likely that the cold conditions, low humidity, and salt on the ground has caused his paws to dry out and become cracked/sore. Consider looking into getting winter booties for Kiba. Ruffwear makes wonderful dog boots for the cold weather. You can also try a paw protectant like Musher's Secret to help prevent injury to his paws.

This rough, white spot could be due to exposure to the elements outside, or it could be due to running and walking on rough surfaces such as concrete. I'd get Musher's Secret to put on Macey's paws to protect them.

Great question! I recommend Musher's Secret, it's a safe paw wax that helps protect a dog's paws in winter. You can get it off the internet or possibly in a pet store. Another option is booties. Some people put booties on their dogs for walks outside to protect them against the snow, ice, and salt on the roads and sidewalks. Some dogs are fine with the booties while others absolutely hate them, so Musher's Secret would be your best bet to try first. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Coloration of the paw pads can change as a dog ages, and may turn pinkish or brown, especially if old skin has sloughed off or there was an injury that healed. Signs of a problem to look out for include licking or chewing of the feet, redness or inflammation, pain, visible swelling or injury, strange smells, or if the discolored area is painful to the touch or non-weight bearing. These are all signs of something else ongoing such as an infection, allergy, or injury, which should be treated by your vet.

I can certainly understand being concerned about Chloe! Her paws may be bothering her from the cold and ice, which is why she is chewing on them. I would wash her paw off with warm water and antiseptic soap, and examine them for signs of trauma from the rock salt. When taking her outside, I would use Musher's Secret on her paws. It will protect them from the elements and the rock salt. You can get in online or in a pet store. If Chloe keeps chewing her paws even with using the Musher's Secret, she could have a foreign body or allergies causing the chewing, and I would have her seen by a vet.

Vaseline is ok to use in limited amounts. We don’t want him licking and consuming much. If you choose to use it please apply a small amount and then feed him or otherwise entertain him until it soaks in. Also be aware that he will have some greasy foot prints which may cause a problem on carpet so be careful! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.