Here are the best practices for taking care of your dog's paws composed by the awesome peeps at iheartdogs.com. Check them out below!
As vulnerable as a human foot, paws need to be taken care of and pampered. An owner wouldn’t walk across a hot parking lot or a snow covered field without the proper protection on their feet. A paw pad needs to be checked for a myriad of issues that should be addressed including nail length, cracked pads and foreign objects wedged in between paw pads.
Trimming
If a dog’s nails are click, click, clicking when she walks or gets snagged easily, then she is in need of being clipped. The nails should barely skim the ground. Most vets offer this service if the owner is too anxious to do it themselves or the dog is unwilling to have it done. The hair in between the pads does cause painful matting if not trimmed regularly. Comb hair out and trim it even with the pads. Check for pebbles or other debris while trimming.
Cracked Pads
Pads do crack and bleed if they get too dry. Don’t use human lotion on the dogs pads, it may soften pads too much and lead to more issues. Instead look into pad moisturizers specifically designed for a dog’s dried out paws. While rubbing in the lotion give the dog a paw massage by rubbing between the pads and up in between each toe.
Summertime Care
Dogs paws feel heat as much as human’s do on the bottom of their feet. Keep this in mind while out walking during the heat of the summer. To avoid blistering and burning, avoid walking on hot surfaces (such as parking lots or sand) If blistering or burning occurs, wash with an antibacterial soap and loosely wrap with gauze.
Wintertime Care
Excessive exposure to cold weather could cause paw pads to dry out. This will lead to pads becoming chapped and cracking. Another thing to keep in mind during the long cold winter months is lots of people use salt, de-icers and other items to melt ice off of sidewalks. This could be toxic to dogs who like to lick their paws. When coming home from a daily walk, either wipe down or rinse the paws with warm water to wash away any chemical they may have picked up. Another alternative is to slather the dog’s paws with Vaseline before a walk, which will keep salt from getting on the pads or wrestle the dog into canine snow boots.
Cuts and scrapes.
Occasionally dogs will cut the pad of their paw and require some first aid. Clean the cut out with an anti bacterial wash, put some anti bacterial cream on the cut and bandage the paw. Of course that is easier said than done. If the dog is unwilling to have their paw tended too, the owner should do the best they can under the circumstances.
Source: iheartdogs.com
Kathy Frodis Firestone
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My pup suddenly won’t let anyone near his nails. The vet was doing them all along but he got so worked up last time that they scolded us and sent us home with chill pills.
Anyone have any suggestions that don’t involve drugging my dog?
Frank Brassard
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Martine Potvin
Hensiny Callimootoo
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Emma Callimootoo Jensy Callimootoo
Jason A Baum
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Heather Jean
Martine Potvin
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en anglais comprends rien
Eric L. Gonzalez
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Marilu Gonzalez
Frank Cantu
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Thankyou
Jomel Desoloc
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Patricia Denise De Vega puggy paws :3
Patricia Denise De Vega
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Soft puppy paws :3
Marita Rose
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Kieran Igoe-taylor
Phillip Nguyen
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Hannah Vuong
Mick Garrity
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Shannon O’Malley Garrity
Steve Drake
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Chloe Drake
Louise Andersen
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Lise Lotte Andersen
Susan Connelly
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Find another vet. Your paying.
Andy Kelly
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What does it mean if you Yorkie chews one of its paws my Yorkie always chews her left paw I thing it’s the nail she chews even when the vets trim her nails for me
Kornelia Byk
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In the courtyard definitely avoid salt. At home we do home spa with baby oil and laziness.
Marie Doughty
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Ooh hadn’t seen this page before Julia, I’m sure it will come in really handy won’t it Mark…
Graham Trousdale
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Lynsey Trousdale
Jade Robertson
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Dianne Fyffe Robertson
Elaine Graham
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Laura Graham
Erica Moore Gootee
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Jana Chastain Moore
Liane Allen
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She’s precious in those little socks….
Cynthia Towne
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Lauren Towne
Rebecca Sitford
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Tamsin Ashmore
Les Smalley
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Emma Smalley
Emma Smalley
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She may have an infection or something stuck in the skin.
Angela Gaugler
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Kimberly Gaugler
Jon Llamanzares
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Anne Divina
Lana Bradley
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Kaila Wearn
Ian Paterson
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Gillian Stubbs……..x
George Wilkins
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My dog is in perfect condition paws as well
Anita Martinez
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Zoe Mcnulty
Zoe Mcnulty
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Thank u babe xx
Katie Stagg
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Looking for another cocker.. Only thing putting me off is in a perfect world I would want a clone of my cocker Rosie.. Only 18month but the best dog ever n child friendly
Katie Stagg
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Any cocker males in workington area
Vicky Schmidt
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Deanna De La Hunt