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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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During a cold, snowy day, a dog owner from Long Island, New York, took their Scottish terrier out on a walk—they were not ready for what came next.
In a viral Instagram video shared on February 23 by @dottie_the_scottie, the 1‑year‑old pup can be seen lying down patiently as her owner tries to "de‑ice" her thick, snow‑soaked fur, removing multiple clusters that formed on it during the walk.
"This is what they don’t show you in the winter aesthetic dog videos," reads the text overlay on the clip. The caption adds: "De-icing the princess."
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The freezing makeover may seem unusual, but experts say it is a common winter problem for long‑haired dogs—and one that owners should take seriously.
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Dr. Tylanda Johnson, lead veterinary partner at CityVet—Lower South End, explains exactly how these icy clumps develop when the snow hits a dog’s warm fur, melts slightly, and then refreezes as the pup keeps moving.
According to Johnson, it is similar to rolling a snowball across the ground to build a snowman. The snow continues to stick and grow, eventually forming the icy clumps seen in the video.
While the sight can be startling, Johnson says that "snowballs on the fur is not dangerous, per se," but warns that cold conditions can increase the risk of frostbite. That is why owners should remove the snow quickly and warm their pet's paws and legs as soon as they are indoors.
Johnson recommends several safe ways to get rid of the icy buildup. Owners can use a wire or plastic whisk to gently rake off the snow, melt the remaining bits with a blow‑dryer on a low setting, or wrap the canine in a warm towel. Another option is dipping the paws in warm water until the snow melts completely.
Dr. Liza Cahn, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, adds that the clumps seen on Dottie are especially common on dogs with longer or feathered coats. They often appear between the paw pads, on the legs, chest, or belly.
While usually uncomfortable rather than dangerous, Cahn says the clumps can irritate the skin if left too long. She also warns that canines may ingest harmful chemicals if they chew off snowballs treated with de-icer or salt.
To prevent this, Cahn suggests winter gear, trimming paw fur, and keeping walks short during extreme weather. Routine grooming, she says, makes it harder for snow to latch onto matted fur.
Johnson reminds owners to check their dog’s paws after every snowy walk. Ice can hide small cuts or irritation, and chemicals used to melt ice on sidewalks can be harmful if licked. If a pup starts limping, shivering, or obsessively licking their paws, then it is a sign to bring them inside and warm them up immediately.
The video quickly took off online, racking up more than 585,000 views and over 15,300 likes.
One user, Whale_n_wasp, commented: "Thank god I have a dog made for winter."
Ginger_thescottiedoggo said: "Trying to bring snow indoors."
Oli_the_scottie added: "I saw someone use a whisk to get the snow balls off, haven't tried it, but it looked pretty useful."
Newsweek reached out to @dottie_the_scottie for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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