10 Tips on Taking Care Of Dog’s Paws

10 Tips on Taking Care Of Dog's Paws

Dogs always run around the house, the park, or the yard. Ultimately, they are spending much time on their feet. The dog’s paws operate as pads on the feet and give protection in the same way your shoes safeguard your feet. While walking or involved in other movements, the soft paw pads help in protecting the joints and bones like shock absorbers. The pads are made of tissues, so they are vulnerable to splinters, cuts, and various injuries. It is essential to regularly check your pets’ paws, and early detection can prevent pain and suffering.

The Tips on Taking Care of Dog’s Paws mentioned here helps in creating a strong bond as you work on his paws directly. Let’s discuss the top 10 practical Dog Paw Care Tips. 

Trimming the Nails

Trimming the Nails
Image Source
Trimming the Nails
Image Source
The dog’s nails should not be touching the ground while walking. If you hear a clicking sound when your pet is walking on hard surfaces, it is high time to clip the nails. Too long nails can get ripped easily and causes injuries. They also feel uncomfortable when roaming around. Check out the nails every once a week. When trimming the nails, make your pet at ease and keep foods or items to make them busy. Hold the foot gently, and then remove a tiny bit of the end of each toenail using clippers or guillotine. If you do not have any experience trim nails, ask a vet about the type of nail trimmers to use and the techniques to use them properly.

Shorten the Paw Hair

Shorten the Paw Hair
Image Source
Shorten the Paw Hair
Image Source
In such pets, hair grows in between the paw pads to protect their feet. However, when the hair grows longer, it can easily get tangled and get hold of dirt, ice or snow. So, the hair remains damp for a long time that can lead to fungal diseases. Fungal infections can be complex, so clip the hair between the paws regularly. One effective Dog Paw Care Tips is to cut any long hair from the pads and feet with fingernail scissors. While trimming, also look for whether any pebbles or other debris have stuck between the pads.

Moisturizing the Pads


Image Source
Moisturizing the Pads

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

When your pet’s paw pads become too dry, it can crack and bleed. Cracks can accelerate the chances of infection. The best Tips on Taking Care of Dog’s Paws are moisturizing the pads daily. Buy a moisturizer specifically made for dogs and avoid using your moisturizer on the pads that may harm them. It would be helpful to consult your vet to prescribe a medicine. Follow the instructions mentioned on the pack and gently massage by rubbing between each toe and the pads.

Massaging the Pads

Massaging the Pads

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels

Massaging the Pads
Image Source
Massaging your dog’s paws can make them feel calm and aids in better circulation. Moreover, a massage is perfect for keeping your pet’s other body systems active and in a healthy state. It is also an excellent way to create a bond between yourself and your dog. You have to rub between the pads on the bottom of the paws and then move towards each toe.

Check the paws regularly

Massaging the PadsMoisturizing the Pads
Image Source

Being a responsible owner, you need to adhere to Dog Paw Care Tips. It is vital to take utmost care of your pet’s coat and skin and check on the paws daily. As the paw pads are bouncy and soft, small objects can easily get stuck between them or in them. Objects like broken glass, foxtails, pebbles, or others can get stuck. You can easily remove them with tweezers. Do check out for minor scrapes or cuts and clean with any antibiotic wash and cover the area with a bandage. For severe cuts, a vet is an option.

Avoiding Hot Surfaces

Avoiding Hot Surfaces
Image Source

Avoiding Hot Surfaces
Image Source
During summer, please be extra cautious when taking your pet for a stroll. Please note, just like human feet can become sensitive to hot surfaces, the same applies to a dog’s paws. Walking on sand or hot pavement causes burns and blisters. One of the vital Tips on Taking Care of Dog’s Paws is bringing your dog for a walk in the late evening or early morning when the ground remains cool.

Look for Ice and Snow

Look for Ice and Snow
Image Source
Look for Ice and Snow
Image Source
During the cold season, the temperature causes the dog’s paw to dry or crack out. You should remember that many people pour salt and use different items to melt the ice on the sidewalks. This can be toxic to your pets, who love licking their jaws. So after returning home, rinse his paws with warm water to remove any chemicals. This is one of the excellent Dog Paw Care Tips to consider.

Watch out when licking and chewing

Watch out when licking and chewing
Image Source
Watch out when licking and chewing
Image Source
Never ignore when your dog is chewing or licking at his paw pads. This means your pet is not feeling comfortable and indicates a fungal infection or an allergic reaction. Carefully check what is present in the pads. So, one of the fantastic Tips on Taking Care of Dog’s Paws is to take your pet to the vet instead of using any over-the-counter medications.

Exercise

Exercise
Image Source
Exercise
Image Source

It is vital to introduce few exercises into your dog’s routine. This will help the pet in maintaining a good lifestyle. Initially, take them on short walks, slowly increase the distance, and introduce them to different terrains.

Be careful with objects that can injure the paws

Be careful with objects that can injure the paws
Image Source
Be careful with objects that can injure the paws
Image Source
Check out for untreated wood or broken glass, or nails when taking your dog outside. More importantly, scan your property thoroughly to ensure there are no sharp objects that may hurt the dog’s jaws.

By using some common sense, a little care, and basic awareness of paw functionality, you can be a better protector of your dog’s health for a long period.

Related posts

*

*

Top

You cannot copy content of this page