Did you know that some dogs use their paws rather like stress pads? Fido’s paws are quite remarkable. After all, they allow him to do those adorable happy dances, chase squirrels, and maybe even do some cute tricks. While taking care of those furry feet isn’t hard, there are definitely some do’s and don’ts. A local Walton County vet goes over some basic pointers in this article.
Paw Pads
Fido’s paw pads are crucial to his mobility. They are also critical for his happiness, comfort, and fitness levels. Those paw pads provide cushion, protecting his bones against the force of all those happy dances and Frisbee jumps. They also give your pet information about the surface and terrain he is walking on.
Those little toe beans are pretty delicate. In summer, your pet can get painful burns and blisters from walking on hot surfaces. Winter can also be harsh on your pet’s delicate paw pads. Snow, salt, sand, ice, and chemical de-icers can all cause painful burns and abrasions.
How Hot Is Too Hot For A Dog’s Paw?
The answer may be less than you think. If it’s 85 degrees or over, your canine pal is susceptible to painful burns and blisters.
In some cases, dogs can get severe burns in just seconds! It takes only about a minute for burns on pavement that is 120F (49C)
How Can I Protect My Dog’s Paw Pads?
First and foremost, be aware of the surfaces you are taking your pet onto. Just as you wouldn’t want to go barefoot on hot ground, sharp stones, or broken glass, your canine buddy won’t enjoy this, either.
In summer, keep your canine companion off hot ground.
One of the best things you can do is keep your pet’s paws moisturized. There are plenty of products available. You can also make your own. The AKC has a recipe here.
You can also try booties, though not all dogs will tolerate them.
Be Very Careful After Swimming
Does your pup like to go swimming? If so, be extra careful when he gets out of the water. Just like human skin, your pet’s paws will get wrinkled and delicate after he’s been in the water. That makes him particularly vulnerable to burns and blisters. After being immersed for a while, your pup’s toe beans will be very delicate. Even running around on a cement pool deck is enough to cause damage.
Help! My Dog Won’t Let Me Touch His Feet?
Some of our canine pals are a bit shy about this. It may take a bit of cajoling—and perhaps some bribery—for your pet to get used to having his paws touched. This is definitely a case of winning more flies with honey than vinegar. You want to work on changing Fido’s opinion here, rather than trying to fight him.
One thing that will help? Treats! Teach Fido that he will get something extra yummy for giving you his furry foot. At first, don’t try to do anything immediately: just touch his foot, give him his snack, and let go. Use something high-value, like steak, that your pooch doesn’t get very often.
If you want to train him to get his claws cut, start running the clippers over them. Don’t cut right away: just make the noise, then give Fido his treat and let him go. The next step is to run the clippers over his claws. Once he is used to that, you can go ahead and make the clicking sound. Then, start to work on his claws.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to do all of his claws at once. Do one paw a day, and keep rotating.
How Do I Cut My Dog’s Nails?
It’s not uncommon for people to be somewhat nervous about cutting their pet’s nails. That is understandable. As you may know, if you cut too close, you could nick the quick. That is where your pet’s nerves and blood vessels end. That could be quite painful for Fido. It could also cause some bleeding and can even lead to infections.
We would suggest having your vet demonstrate where to cut. Another option would be to get clippers with sensors in them. These will indicate exactly where the cut should be made, which can make things quite a bit easier for you by taking the guesswork out of it.
Of course, you can also just schedule a pawdicure with your vet or groomer.
Why Are Nail Trims Important For Dogs?
It may not sound as though long nails would be a huge issue. However, they can become quite serious. If Fido’s nails get too long, they will change the angle of his toes against the ground. This will in turn interfere with his ability to get good traction, which can lead to dangerous slips and falls. Plus, it can contribute to or exacerbate issues such as arthritis.
Signs Of Paw Issues
Limping is an obvious signal that something is wrong, as is a visible wound, but these aren’t the only things to look for. Fido may also lick or nibble at his paws. You may notice heat or swelling, or even smell a foul odor.
Check Those Feet
You may want to get into the habit of inspecting your canine pal’s furry feet daily. You’ll want to keep an eye out for cuts and bites, but also want to look for heat, swelling, tenderness, and puncture wounds.
Toe Fur
Does your furry pal have those adorable tufts of fur between his toes? You may want to cut it back. Those little tufts may look super cute, but they can actually collect gunk, such as mud and ice balls. They also give ticks a place to hide. Just take care to only use blunt-end scissors, as they are much safer.
Ask your Walton County vet for more information.
Cleaning Your Pet’s Paws
It’s not a bad idea to get into the habit of wiping your pet’s feet down at the door before you bring him back in. This will come in handy for a few reasons. For one thing, you won’t find as many muddy pawprints on your floor. Plus, this can help remove things like lawn chemicals, pollen, sand, and anything else your pooch may have picked up. Keep a few clean rags and a spray bottle of water near the door. Another option is to just keep a good bath mat at the door you and your furry pal go in and out of. Bath mats are a great option for this because they’re cheap, easy to wash, and can hold a lot of water. There are even devices that can do this for you, though whether or not you can get Fido on board with them is a different story.
Should I Shave My Dog’s Paw Pads?
Some pooches will benefit from having their paw pads shaved. If Fido’s paw pads are extremely rough, he may benefit from a full pawdicure. This is something that should only be done by a professional. Don’t try to do this yourself: you could end up doing more harm than good!
Make An Appointment At Our Walton County Animal Clinic
Has it been a while since your canine companion came in? Please feel free to contact us, your local Walton County pet hospital, today.
