Just like humans, your dog’s paws needs some TLC. Think about it… they walk barefoot (or barepawed?) everyday on various conditions and surfaces such as grass, sand, dirt, you name it.
Their paws absorb shock and protect their joints when running about, as well as insulating them from cold and heat.
So basically, your dog’s paws do tons of work every single day, which makes caring for them a priority. To help in keeping your dog in paw-fect condition, here are some tips!
Give Their Nails a Trim
Dog’s nails shouldn’t touch the ground when they walk, so if you notice a clicking or scratching sound, it’s a sign that your dog’s nails need a trim.
Overgrown nails can easily get snagged and it may cause serious injuries.
The frequency of nail trims will greatly depend on your pet. Afterall, there are some breeds that don’t have to be trimmed much at all.
Some dogs show fear or aggressive behavior when faced with nail trimming. Some warning signs include panting, drooling, whining, trembling, freezing, tail-tucking, growling, snarling, cowering or snapping. If your dog falls into this category, do not force him. See if his vet or professional groomer has better luck getting it done - if not, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with an animal behaviorist, veterinary behaviorist or dog trainer to work on underlying issues at hand.
Trim Paw Hair
Keeping the hair that grows between your dog’s paw pads nice and shot can help keep their feet healthy and provide more traction on slippery surfaces. This is especially important for senior dogs! So make sure to brush it out and keep it trimmed to the same height as their paw pads.
Moisturise and Massage Their Paws
Not only will your dog love you for giving their paws a special spa day, but their moisturised paws will feel so much softer and less prone to cracking or injury. If paws become too dry, they can crack, and sometimes even bleed. Massaging their paws will help improve circulation to their paws as well. Try rubbing gently between paw pads and in a circular motion with your thumb.
An additional benefit of regularly massaging and moisturising your dog’s paws is that it will help your pet feel more comfortable with you touching their feet; making it easier to trim its nails or examine its pads.
But remember! Don’t use moisturisers or lotions that are made for humans. These may be unsafe to lick and contain harmful ingredients for dogs. Here’s our pick: Grahams Natural Paw Balm.
Natural Paw Balm is a gentle and soothing balm that is essential for every dogs daily skincare routine. Paw Balm contains powerful natural ingredients such as neem oil, which supports paw repair and general discomfort from dry, itchy paws.
Paw balm is designed to be used all year round to maintain and protect dry paws as well as promoting healthy skin as it is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants to ensure the absolute best skincare for your furry friend!
Keep a Close Watch!
To keep their paws in top shape, you should inspect your dog’s paws every time they come in from outside to make sure they’ve not picked up anything from outside such as a stick, thorn, or bee stinger in a paw or in-between the toes.
If your dog shows unusual behaviour this might also be a warning sign. For example, some dogs have allergies and one of the characteristic signs is when they chew or pick at their paws. This is an example.
So for dogs that are susceptible to allergies to certain grasses, wiping its paws with a moist cloth when he gets home is a good idea. After that, use a dry towel to keep them nice and dry.
The best treatment for dog allergies is to avoid contact with the allergen all together. However, sometimes this is impossible. Therefore, some dogs are given intermittent therapy such as steroids, antibiotics and antihistamines for their allergies. However, if used for too long, steroids can have adverse effects; and antibiotics and antihistamines can become pretty pricey. Therefore, dogs may benefit from natural treatments to control their allergies while minimising the need for additional drugs.
Introducing our itch-free, stress-free and mess-free solution to your dog’s itchy skin… Pet Drs Derma Cream.This cream is the perfect solution for reducing itch and inflammation from the skin.Pet Drs use natural ingredients such as Manuka Honey to control the bacteria, Calendula and Gotu Kola to reduce the inflammation and Avocado, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to hydrate the skin for up to 6 hours. Pair with our non-slip dog socks for best results!
Prepare Their Paws For The Weather
Extreme temperatures, whether it be hot or cold, can cause your pet’s paws to crack or blister, making it extremely important to care for your pet’s paws. Make sure to do the following things:- Slowly ease into playing outdoors - If your dog is used to spending most of his time indoors (especially with COVID!), the paws will be less used to rough surfaces and more prone to injury. To help their paws adjust, start slowly by bringing them outside for short periods of time and gradually increasing the time spent outdoors.
- Protecting dog’s paws in summer - During summer, the hot pavement and dirt can lead to your dog’s paws being cracked, burnt or blistered. Therefore, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog, moisturise regularly and try to limit time spent on pavement or dirt, or even hot beach sand. A good way to check if the surface is to use the five second rule. If it’s a hot day, place your palm on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for five full seconds, it’s too hot to walk your dog.
- Protecting your dog’s paws in winter - When the temperature drops and snow falls, you should limit the time your dog’s paws are in snow or begin using boots to protect their paws from harsh conditions such as frozen ground, ice, snow and road salt. After your dog’s bare paws run or walk on these chemicals, they are oftentimes raw and painful. Your dog’s first reaction is to lick his paws to stop the pain. By licking his paws, he is ingesting a highly toxic substance that can lead to serious illness or worse.
