04 Jun How to Take Care of Your Dog’s Paws?

A dog’s paws are constantly subjected to wear and tear. However, there are some situations where a dog’s foot can be protected from these incidents. To protect your dog’s paws during inclement weather, avoid contact with hot or cold ground. In general, it’s important to minimize the risk of injury to your dog’s paws, check them regularly and take care of them if they are damaged. Stay tuned to the end of this article to learn more about how to take care of a dog’s paws.

Taking care of a dog’s paws in various situations

The first method: protecting the dog’s paws in winter

Minimize the time your dog is outside.

When the weather is cold and there’s snow or ice on the ground, contact with the frozen ground can injure a dog’s paws. If the temperature is below freezing, limit the time the dog is outside so that the dog isn’t exposed to the cold and his paws aren’t damaged. If the dog’s paws come into contact with the frozen ground too much, the nails become brittle and crack. It’s better to move continuously with the dog and not stay in one place. So always be moving. A good rule of thumb is to keep your dog outside for longer than you think you’ll want to. But don’t put him in a kennel with a frozen floor.

Consider the breed and condition of your dog.

Some dogs are better against colds. If you have a small dog with a small body and a lot of little fur like a Chihuahua, you shouldn’t leave him outside for too long in freezing conditions. If you have a husky, then you can spend a lot of time outdoors without any problems. A young, healthy dog will also thrive in cold weather more than a much older dog. Consider the physical condition of your dog in that situation as well. Paws of dogs that live in cold climates are more resistant than other dogs. The blood in their paws heats up faster and their nails are resistant to cold.

After the dog’s paw comes into contact with ice and snow, wipe it off.

Once you get your dog out of the cold, make sure to wipe off any ice, snow, or water from their paws. This issue will help keep the dog’s feet healthy and minimize the chance of frostbite. Make sure you check between your dog’s toes for ice and snow. Sometimes ice balls can form between a dog’s toes. If your dog limps a bit while walking, make sure no ice balls are forming between his paws.

Wash your dog’s paws after contact with salt and chemicals.

One of the major dangers to your dog’s paws in the winter is salt or chemicals used on roads and sidewalks. Whenever your dog spends a lot of time outside, be sure to wash them afterwards. Wash their nails with warm water and then dry them with a towel. Salt and chemicals are dangerous for your dog. They can damage the surface of the nails and get into the dog’s mouth if he cleans his paws with his tongue.

Moisturize your dog’s paws.

If your dog spends a lot of time outside during the winter, he will probably need extra moisture. Moisturizer for dog claws, commonly known as “paw balm”, can keep their shape flexible and without cracking or brittleness. Apply it on the paws before and after the dog is exposed to the cold. Use a moisturizer designed for dog paws. You can also make homemade dog moisturizer with homemade recipes. such as olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter.

Buy thick dog socks for your dogs.

If you plan to walk your dog for long periods in ice and snow, you can protect his feet. These socks for dogs are available in online stores and pet shops. It may be difficult for your dog to use them in the first days, but after a few weeks, he will get used to them. When buying socks for your dog, make sure you get the correct size. You should measure your dog’s feet and buy a sock that is designed for your dog’s foot size.

Method 2: Take care of your dog’s feet in the summer

Take your dog for a walk during the day in cooler temperatures.

If you want to take your dog for a walk for a long time, choose a time when the temperature of the ground is at its coolest. Early morning and after sunset are the best times to walk the dog. In addition to protecting your dog’s paws, walking in colder temperatures will protect them from fatigue and dehydration.

Before you take your dog out

Check the ground temperature before walking. When temperatures are high in the summer, it’s important to protect your dog’s paws from hot surfaces. A good way to do this is to go outside and touch the ground before you put your dog on it. If you can easily touch the ground, place your dog on it. Sand can also get so hot that it burns your dog’s paws. Be aware of the temperature of the sand before you release your dog on it.

Keep your dog on cool surfaces.

If you take your dog outside in hot weather, make sure they walk on grass or other cooling surfaces. Keeping your dog in vegetation will help prevent their paws from getting burned.

Put protectors on your dog’s paws.

You can use protection in summer for your dog’s paws. Put them on your dog’s feet before they walk on areas like hot concrete or other hot surfaces. These protectors are often good options to protect the dog’s legs from heat during walks. They protect the dog’s legs from cuts and scratches.

Treat burning feet.

If your dog’s feet are burned on a hot surface, it’s important to treat them so that the wound heals quickly. If they have a minor burn, wash the feet in cold water, pat them dry, apply a veterinary antibiotic to the area, and then bandage it. If the legs are badly burned, they should be treated by a veterinarian. Signs of a dog’s feet being slightly burned are that they walk slowly and lick their feet after walking. This minor burn is normal and nothing to worry about. Severe burns can be recognized by looking at their legs. so that it’s discoloured or scarred.

Third method: Keep the dog away from all dangerous situations

Keep your dog away from sharp objects on the ground.

A dog’s claws can be easily injured by walking on sharp or rough objects. Keep your dog completely away from areas with sharp objects on the floor, or thoroughly clean the area before bringing your dog to one of these areas. For example, keep your dog outside of a work area where metal shavings or pieces of glass can be left on the floor. 

Don’t let your dog walk on the ground containing chemicals and poisons.

If your dog ingests toxic substances, it can cause harm. A dog can also ingest this substance when he licks his paws. For example, floor cleaners can contain chemicals that are dangerous to your dog. Keep your dog out of the area when cleaning your floors with strong chemicals. Also, look at the labels on your floor cleaners to make sure they are non-toxic.

Check your dog’s feet regularly to prevent possible injuries.

Inspecting them regularly for cracks or holes can help you catch problems before they become serious. Check your dog’s feet at least once a day. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or in areas where their feet may be injured, keep an eye on them.

Make sure you check between the dog’s toes as well.

When checking your dog’s paws for damage, also check between his toes, which often get sores from thorns or punctures there. It’s important to remove these items quickly, as they can easily cause infection and pain. If you have a razor, use it to remove these items from the dog’s toes. Be calm, or the dog will start to struggle. If you can’t remove the thorn completely, seek help from a veterinarian. Thorns embedded between the toes can cause a severe infection and affect your dog’s ability to walk, so proper veterinary care is vital.

Essential tips

• After each walk, check the dog’s paws for damage.
• Keep the dog’s nails short regularly.
• To treat wounds or dry paws, be sure to use nutrients and supplements in the dog’s diet.
• Be careful that your dog doesn’t move on the hot surface so that his paws don’t get blisters and burns.

To wrap up

Caring for a dog’s paws is only one part of keeping a dog. You can also clean your puppy’s paws daily, especially if you live in a warm climate. Remember that cleaning the paws also means checking them for potential problems. If your dog has clean, healthy paws, it will make life easier for both of you. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. You can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming in all these steps. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.