Your dog’s paws are more than just some cute little feet; they serve as a critical part of her overall health and well-being.
It is her primary mode of transportation when she’s running, walking, or playing. Hence, helping her maintain her paws is essential to keeping your furry friend active and lively.
Plus, aside from locomotive purposes, your dog’s paw plays a huge role in her day-to-day activities and controls a large portion of her neurosensory abilities.
Some of these functions include:
- Temperature Regulation
- Sensitivity, and
- Protection
So, to help your dog avoid discomfort and potential health issues, here are three simple ways to ensure your dog’s paws stay in top condition.
Inspect Them Regularly
Dogs are very adventurous and curious, and these natural instincts tend to make them play almost everywhere, including areas where they’re not supposed to.
While you can’t control their instincts, you can help ensure they’ve not stepped on something that will hurt their paw and cause discomfort. And if they have, you can take a proactive step in helping them out by inspecting it early on.
Any time you go out for a walk or stroll, try to observe their paws for
- Cuts
- Foreign objects (thorns, splinters, etc.)
- Swelling and redness
- Cracked Paw Pads
Also, observe their behavior for signs like excessive licking of their paws; this means they’re experiencing discomfort there and trying to draw your attention to it.
If you can fix it by cleaning or removing the discomforting object, then do it; otherwise, contact your vet immediately for a solution.
Clean Them Often
It’s easy to take your dog out for a stroll and totally forget about them when you’re back and looking forward to having a cold bath to freshen up. However, it would be best not to make this a habit.
After every outdoor activity, observe your dog’s paws and clean them for a few minutes. If you don’t know how to go about this, then here’s a simple step to follow:
Step 1: Get a Bowl
Find a small bowl and fill it halfway with lukewarm water. Next, use the water to rinse your dog’s paws, removing any visible dirt or mud she may have stepped on while outdoors.
Step 2: Apply Soap
Add a small amount of pet soap or any paw-cleaning solution designed for dogs to a soft towel. Don’t be tempted to use your soap for this procedure because it may irritate your dog’s paw and cause a reaction.
Step 3: Scrub Gently
With the soap applied to a soft towel, gently scrub her paws, with your main focus on the paw pads and the spaces between her toes. While cleaning, be thorough to ensure all dirt is scrubbed, but gentle to avoid dislocating her toes.
Step 4: Rinse Carefully
Get another bowl with lukewarm water and rinse off the soap on her paws and toes. Make sure you handle this step thoroughly to avoid any irritation.
Step 5: Dry her Paws
Get a clean, soft towel to pat her paws dry with. Also, dry her toes to prevent moisture buildup.
While cleaning her paws, be observant of her reaction. If you observe signs of pain and groaning, try to detect where it’s coming from, whether it’s from her paws or the knee joint. If it’s from her knees, discontinue the whole cleaning session and contact your vet immediately.
She may have played roughly, torn her CCL (cranial cruciate ligament), and may require TPLO surgery as soon as possible.
If it’s from her paws, observe carefully to see if an object is piercing it; if you can’t find any, contact your vet immediately, and they will know what to do.
Trim Properly
You have to set aside time to trim your dog’s paws and nails. Trimming the fur on her paws regularly will improve her hygiene and prevent the accumulation of dirt and foreign objects that can make it difficult for her to maintain good traction.
While trimming her paws, ensure you cut the nails too. Allowing them to overgrow can cause her problems while walking, affect her posture, and even cause joint issues. It could also cause her discomfort, especially if they get caught in something while playing.
If you’re uncomfortable trimming her paws and nails yourself, contact your vet, and they will help you handle it without causing her any pain.
Seasonal Paw Care Tips for Your Dog
While the above methods are valid for taking good care of your furry friend’s paws and ensuring they are clean and healthy, here are some season-specific care tips to add to your list.
During summer:
- To avoid burning her paw pad while strolling on hot afternoons, walk on grass or shaded areas. Or, better yet, consider using dog booties or paw wax to protect her paws.
- Provide her with a lot of water to prevent dehydration and overheating.
- Consider getting her a pet-safe sunscreen on the nose and ear tips to protect against sunburn.
During winter:
- Clean her paws after a walk to protect her from salt or de-icing chemicals.
- Before taking her for a walk, please discuss with your vet whether her breed has a low tolerance for cold weather.
- Keep her paws dry to prevent frostnip or frostbite.
Wrapping Up
Take good care of your dog’s paw with these tips, and she will thank you for it with her energy, playfulness, and, of course, a wiggling tail. Make sure to contact your vet if you’re stuck on any of the methods, and they will guide you on what to do.
