One of the most important things to keep in mind when you become a canine owner is dog paw care. This is because the paws are some of the most hard-working parts of a dog’s body. Apart from walking, paws also protect the feet’s bones and joints, help with walking on rough and uneven ground, and keep the feet insulated during extreme weather.
General Paw Care
Trimming the nails is another important aspect of good dog paw care. If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the ground or if they often get snagged on carpets and rugs, it means the nails need to be cut.
Likewise, the hair between the pads of the feet need trimming because excessive length can cause matting, which can end up containing trapped debris, such as broken glass, pebbles, or foxtails. If left unchecked, this trapped debris can be painful to your dog. You can trim and check their paws yourself, but if you or your dog is too uncomfortable with the procedures, your vet or a professional pet groomer can do it for you.
The pads on your dog’s paws can get too dry and as a result, they can crack and bleed. You can prevent this by using lotion or moisturizers specifically designed for canines. Ask your vet for recommendations on good pad lotions.
To relax your dog and promote better blood circulation, you can also give him a paw massage while rubbing the moisturizer on.
Summer and Winter Paw Care
The pads on your dog’s paws need special attention during the summertime because of the increased exposure to hot surfaces. If at all possible, avoid going out or walking with your dog on pavements and sand during the hottest parts of the day. Should your dog suffer from burns or blistering, use antibacterial soap to wash the pads and wrap them loosely using gauze.
Dog paws are also at risk for cracking and chapping during the winter months. And when the paws become wounded, they are even more prone to infection when the dog walks on frozen ground that has been treated with salts and snow-melting chemicals. If your dog can’t keep from walking on treated ice or ground, try to get them to wear doggie boots or wash their paws with warm water.
Treating Paw Injuries
Dogs love being outdoors and getting into all sorts of trouble, which might leave them with injured paws. Keeping a first aid kit on standby is a good way to prepare for such situations. Clean any small cuts or wounds using an antibacterial soap and wrap the paw with a clean bandage. Deeper gashes are more serious, so taking your dog to the vet for treatment is your best course of action. If your dog is bleeding from a deep cut on the foot or paw, apply pressure to the wound using a clean cloth and elevate the leg above the head, while you transport him or her to your veterinarian or nearest animal emergency center.
Like human feet, paws sometimes don’t get the attention they deserve. But with all the hard work they do, it’s only fair to provide those paws with regular TLC.
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