Hi, can anyone give advice about letting dogs walk over salted or gritted roads and pavements.
I have read that all paws should be washed and dried after walking over salt, but I have never had any problems with any of my dogs in the past.
Due to the current forecast of heavy snow I am concerned about my dogs paws.
Any comments or advice will be most welcome.

Pete

I have always wondered about this myself and due to skin problems with my old dog - a setter, I always used to wash his paws when I got back in.  However I saw a report about sheep licking the salt off the roads because the authority concerned had put some form of sugar in the mix to stop the salt blowing off the road.  Apparently the sheep have always enjoyed licking the salt that was well spread onto the verges.  Now it is sitting on the road the sheep have become a traffic hazard.  No one seemed concerned about the sheep eating the salt.  

My dog swims in the sea every day of the year and licks the salt off his paws when he gets home - so far so good :)

Ive found the 'paw wax' (used for sled dogs paws) great for this..
My 2 have it applied at the moment for this very reason.
I can give you some links but to be honest 'Shaws paw wax' is only a couple of quid a small tin (sled dog stuff I use comes in gert big tubs!!) and you can buy it at most pet shops and at Pets at Home (its a bluey/pinky/purpley label on a silver tin) Ive used the shaws before and find it quite competent.
HTH :)

Thanks for your thougts and ideas.
Should I be putting grit/salt on my paths where my girls walk, or would it be best no to do it ?
My main worry is that I will be pulled over by over keen doggies who have never seen snow before.
Yes I know they will LOVE it, but should I salt or not ??

Many thanks HuskyGal, I'll get some 'paw wax' as soon as I can. 
Currently snowed in LOL

If your dogs' pads are sore at all, walking on the salt will really make them sting.

I found my papillons always limped after walking across salted roads but it didn't seem to affect the collie.  Both breeds have hairy feet so it can't be anything to do with that.  Maybe it's just an individual thing but I kept to a minimum the amount of walking over salted roads, steering them onto the grass as much as possible.  If it doesn't bother them, I can't imagine it's doing them much harm.

I use the Shaws paw wax which you rub on thier pads also useful for wooden floors to prevent slipping.It puts a coating on to protect the pad.
Also boots from www.countrymun.com are great for the snow!

I've got 2 'hairy' breeds, one gets sore feet walking on salted/gritted roads and both get snowballs forming inbetween their pads which makes walking in snow uncomfortable.

When the weather is bad and the roads gritted I slap vaseline on their feet before a walk; it stops both problems, wipes off during towelling when we get home and is cheap.