Winter walks in Australia come with one guaranteed side effect: muddy paws. Wet grass, puddles, cold footpaths and boggy parks all take a toll on your dog's feet — and the daily towel-wrestle at the back door isn't much fun for anyone. Looking after paws properly through the wet months keeps your dog comfortable, keeps your floors clean, and heads off the small problems that turn into sore, cracked pads.
Why winter is hard on paws
A dog's pads are tougher than they look, but they're not indestructible. Cold, wet conditions dry them out, and constant damp between the toes is the perfect setting for irritation and infection. Add grit, mud and the odd sharp stick, and a paw that started the season fine can end up cracked or tender. Dogs also lick at uncomfortable paws, which keeps the area wet and makes things worse. The signs to watch for are limping or favouring a foot, redness or cracking on the pads, constant licking or chewing, and any bad smell between the toes — the last one often means a yeast or bacterial issue worth a vet visit.
The after-walk routine that keeps paws healthy
The single most useful habit is cleaning and drying paws as soon as you're back inside, before your dog has a chance to lick the mud off (or spread it across the lounge). It doesn't need to be a production — a quick, consistent routine beats an occasional deep clean.
- Rinse off the mud. Plain lukewarm water is enough to shift most of it — you don't need soap every time. A paw-cleaning cup makes this genuinely quick: pop the paw in, give it a gentle twist, and the soft silicone bristles lift caked-on mud without the towel-and-bucket wrestle at the door.
- Dry thoroughly — especially between the toes. This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that matters most. Damp trapped between the toes is what leads to irritation, so gently pat each foot dry, webbing included.
- Check as you go. Drying is the perfect moment for a quick once-over — look for cracks, cuts, grass seeds or anything lodged between the pads. Catching a grass seed early saves a painful vet trip later.
- Keep the fur tidy. Long hair between the pads collects mud and moisture and mats easily. Keeping it trimmed level with the pads makes cleaning faster and paws healthier. A soft grooming glove is a gentle way to work over the legs and paws afterwards, lifting loose dirt and hair while your dog just thinks they're getting a rub-down.
Make handling paws stress-free
Plenty of dogs hate having their feet touched — and if paw-cleaning is a battle, it won't happen consistently. The fix is to make handling feet a normal, pleasant thing rather than something that only happens when they're cold and wet at the door.
On calm days, sit with your dog and gently hold a paw for a second, then give a treat. Build up slowly to holding longer, touching between the toes, and mimicking the cleaning motion, rewarding the whole way. A dog who has learned that paw-handling means good things will stand happily for a clean instead of pulling away. The same slow, treat-paired approach works for brushing, baths and nail trims — our guide to grooming an anxious dog walks through the whole routine. If your dog is generally anxious about being handled, our guide to reading the signs your dog is stressed can help you spot when to slow down and keep sessions positive.
Protect the pads between walks
If your dog is prone to dry or cracking pads, a dog-safe paw balm massaged in a few times a week helps keep them supple through the cold months — just make sure it's formulated for dogs, since they'll inevitably lick some off. And on the flip side of winter comfort, cold hard floors indoors can be tough on older dogs; a supportive orthopaedic bed up off the ground makes a real difference to stiff joints when the weather's miserable.
Don't forget the after-dark factor
Winter walks often happen in the dark at both ends of the day, which brings its own risks — slippery paths, poor visibility and drivers who can't see a dog on a lead. If you're heading out before sunrise or after dusk, our guide to walking your dog in the dark covers how to stay safe and be seen. Between muddy paws and low light, a little winter routine goes a long way toward keeping walks something you both still look forward to.
General information only, not veterinary advice. If your dog's paws are cracked, sore or smelly, please see your vet.