When it comes to pet care, some people may overlook an important task in ensuring their dog is healthy and happy -- its feet. To provide your pet all the care it needs and deserves, you should understand how to care for your dog's feet.
Ongoing Care
Nail care. One of the most important ways to care for your dog’s feet is to properly trim its toenails. If your dog's nails click or snag as it walks, it's time to trim. You have two options for nail trimming: Take the dog to a groomer or do it yourself. If you do it yourself, learn how to care for your dog's feet correctly.
Start with the correct nail-trimming tool. A sharp, double-action blade designed for this task is typically fashioned inside a grasping loop. The best trimmers for home use include a depth-guard feature that limits the trim to just the nail tip. Trimming nails too short and cutting the quick -- the nail's live part -- causes pain and bleeding. It is best to frequently trim small portions of the nail. If you have never trimmed a dog's nails before, ask your veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate how to care for your dog's feet with proper nail trimming.
Check and clean. Regularly check your dog's feet to ensure that nothing lodges under its nails or between the pads. Hard debris can injure, and soft contaminants can infect. Any foreign object or substance is likely to cause discomfort. Cuts or scratches in the pad can open wounds that introduce infection.
When cleaning between paw pads, use tweezers to remove hard objects or gently scrape with your own fingernail. Soft contaminants can usually be dissolved and removed with warm soapy water and gentle rubbing with a paper or cloth towel. If you cannot remove an object or substance from under your dog's nails or from between its paw pads, ask your veterinarian to check and remove it.
Prevent matting. Fur and hair between pads, on top of the feet or covering the nails can mat and clump if left to grow wild. To prevent matting, regularly trim the hair on the paws. Use blunt-nosed scissors to trim top, sides and bottom.
Start slowly. If you are beginning a new activity with your dog, such as hiking or jogging, start slowly. The idea is to gradually toughen the pads in order to prevent chafing or cracking.
Pad care. The ideal paw pad is smooth, tough and thick. It is not a rough, stiff callous that's susceptible to cracking. Specially formulated pad moisturizers are available to keep pads supple. Ask your veterinarian to recommend one -- but never use emollients formulated for human skin. They tend to overly soften paw pads, leaving your dog's feet susceptible to injury.
Seasonal care
Dogs travel "barefoot" year-round, which means you should be alert for outdoor hazards that change with the seasons. There are times of the year when planning how to care for your dog's feet requires additional vigilance and specific measures.
Winter's cold, snow, ice and slush are hazardous to paws. The chemicals used to combat snow and ice pose genuine threats to dogs. Salt and chemicals can irritate pads, and they become doubly hazardous if the dog licks its feet and ingests the toxic compounds. Ice can cut your dog's paw pad or tender toe flesh. After winter walks, always inspect and wash your dog's feet with warm water.
In spring, homeowners use fertilizers and insecticides on lawns and gardens. Don't walk your dog on treated areas. Exposing sensitive paw pads to acid and base compounds can induce chemical burns, sore spots and allergic reactions. Cuticles, paw pads and the base between the toes can harbor residues and chemicals, making a good foot wash and rinse essential if your dog's feet have been in contact with fertilizers or insecticides.
In summer, sidewalks and pavement can become hot enough burn and blister the pads of your dog's feet. Avoid hot pavements and sidewalks to minimize discomfort and risk. In general, the darker the surface, the hotter it will get under the summer sun. Whenever possible, avoid black asphalt, which also releases oil and tar that can soil and irritate your dog's feet.
In the fall, trees shed nuts, seeds and even small branches that puncture a dog's feet if stepped on the wrong way. Step carefully and check between your dog's pads and toes after navigating brittle autumn debris.
Conclusion
Knowing how to care for your dog's feet is an important part of ownership and should not be overlooked. Neglecting your dog's feet can lead to infection and injury. By properly caring for your dog's feet, you help ensure it is healthy and happy -- right down to its toes. And remember to shop at The Petango Store for all your dog care needs.
