We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide.

Your pup’s paws are tough, but they’re not invincible.

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.”

“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 at all. 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 wintertime. 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

Get them from Amazon for $49.99 (available in eight sizes and two colors).

“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 it 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

Get them from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in nine sizes and 10 colors/patterns).

“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 is safe to use on pre-existing sore spots.

Promising review: “Love this product. It does not have any odor, and I have not found it to transfer to carpets or 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 dog's 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

“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

Get an unscented pack of 100 from Amazon for $9.98 (also available in four scents and four other pack styles).

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 between the digits and clean them thoroughly, removing all the salt and debris. 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.

Get a 4-pack from Amazon for $17.48+ (also available in nine other pack styles and seven colors/patterns).

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 amazingly! And it must taste kinda bad because my dog didn’t lick it off.” —motnach

It turns out long nails aren’t only a scratching hazard and quick ticket to walking discomfort, but they can also put 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 lay 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 ones. 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

Get it from Amazon for $18.96+ (available in eight colors).

“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 end makes drying easier.” —YMCA Mermaid

Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in five colors).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.