Dog Paw Care: Tips For Year Round Safety

As vulnerable as a human foot, your dog’s paws need to be taken care of and pampered.  You wouldn’t walk across a hot parking lot or a snow covered field without the proper protection on your feet, so please be aware of your dog’s paws in extreme conditions.  There are potentially a number of issues that may need to be addressed, including nail length, cracked pads, and foreign objects wedged in between paw pads.

A big misconception that many people have is that a dog’s paws can tolerate anything. This is not true.  Just like human feet, paws can crack, blister, and bleed. According to the AKC, a dog’s paw is made up of skin, bone, tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and connective tissue, which is very similar to our anatomy.  To help keep your pooch’s paws healthy all year long, check out the following tips.

Dog Paw Care 101

Winter

The hazards of winter can be dangerous to your pup’s paws. Dogs’ paws are naturally thick and leathery and offer some protection against hard surfaces and the elements, but all the salt, sand, snow, ice, and de-icing chemicals can cause dry paws, cracking, irritation, injury, and even infection.

If your dog spends a lot of time in the snow or walks on sidewalks or streets that see a lot of salt and de-icers, then consider preparing your dog’s paws before going outside in the winter months. Cloth or rubber dog booties are a great way to protect your dog’s paws and prevent slipping on ice. There are many options and sizes available. Putting booties on any dog can be a challenge, and it takes patience and practice in getting your pup accustomed to wearing “footwear” (see video).

For those who don’t need actual boots, but would prefer not to have their pet’s paws come in contact with dirty streets or muddy areas, balloon boots/rubberized boots work perfectly as a lightweight, comfortable alternative for keeping paws safe and clean.

However, not all dogs will tolerate booties.  If that is the case, consider this option:  Invisible Boots.   Invisible boots aren’t actually boots at all. They’re a wax-like product that’s spread on paw pads and between toes to protect against heat, cold, and the elements. Musher’s Secret (available on Amazon.com, see below) is one such product that helps provide a semi-permeable shield of protection to your pet’s pads and between toes. And, while it was developed for mushing sled dogs, it’s the perfect paw protectant to have in all seasons. This non-toxic, hypo-allergenic seal also provides soothing relief for paws with open sores or cracked pads. These types of products are perfect for keeping flies off wounds and providing a soft layer of protection between your pet’s pads and the world.

Good grooming habits can also help maintain good paw health in the winter. On his website, Cesar Milan advises to trim the hair around the paws of long-coated dogs to make sure that none of the hair comes into contact with the ground. This proper grooming will prevent “ice balls” from forming between and around the paw pads which can be painful and result in trauma. It also makes it easier to apply the paw wax to the pads.”

It is also important to clean up after winter walks. When you get back inside, make sure to thoroughly clean off your dog’s paws with a towel and warm water to remove all traces of paw wax, debris or chemicals she may have picked up on your walk. We suggest keeping a towel by the door to help establish a routine. This quick cleaning will keep your dog from licking her paws and potentially getting sick from de-icing chemicals.

Summer

Summer may be snow-free, but it still poses some potential hazards to a dog’s paws. Summer means trips to the beach and lots of outdoor time (yay!), but it can also mean hot sand and even hotter asphalt. A good rule of thumb is – would you stand here barefoot for more than a few seconds? If not, then avoid walking on those hot surfaces with your dog. Morning or early evening walks are best to avoid peak sun and heat hours.

Dogs also spend a lot more time outside in the summer months, so summer is a good time to check your dog’s paws for any signs of injury, such as cracks, blisters or punctures. Make it a habit to check after long walks, and always examine them if your dog is licking his paws more than usual, or is limping. Minor cracks or cuts in the paws can be treated with a wash in antibacterial soap and a soothing balm or a dog-specific pad moisturizer (just don’t use your own moisturizer – according to the ASPCA it can soften the paws and lead to injury). Any severe burns or deep cuts should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Foxtails can attach to your dog’s fur and get into paw crevices.

If your dog spends a lot of time in open fields, keep an eye out for foxtails, a weed that can log itself in the skin between paw pads. If this happens, the foxtail should be removed immediately, for it is irritating and painful for the dog, and can lead to infection if untreated. Try to remove it gently with tweezers, but if the area is red or swollen, bring the dog to the vet as soon as possible. The vet can also check your dog thoroughly for more foxtails, as they have been known to lodge in dogs’ ears, eyes and noses.

Summary – Basic Care for Your Dog’s Paws

1. Try pampering your dog’s paws with pedicures. His nails need to touch slightly just above the ground when he walks. If his nails tend to click or get snagged over the floor, then give him a pedicure. Talk to your vet or a professional pet groomer for advice regarding the types of nail trimmers that would seem best for your pet, and how to properly use them. On average, most dogs will need to have their nails trimmed every 1-2 months.

2. Do the snip and trim. Try trimming the hairs on your dog’s paw on a regular basis to keep him from painful matting. Comb his hair out especially those from between the toes. Trim even with his pads.

3. Explore in between. Because foreign objects could easily become lodged in your pet’s pads, do not forget to clean them. Check between his toes for pebbles, foxtails, bits of broken glass, and other debris. All these pesky items can be easily removed with a pair of tweezers.

4. Moisturize, moisturize, and then moisturize. Your dog’s pads can easily get dry and cracked so ask your vet about good pad moisturizers designed especially for dogs. Do not apply hand moisturizers for humans as it could soften the dog’s pads and lead to unwarranted injury.

5. Give your pet a soothing deep paw massage. Just like giving someone a hand massage, a paw massage will also help in relaxing your dog; thus, promote better blood circulation. Rub between the pads at the bottom of his paw, and then rub between each of his toe. Your pup will be grateful for that extra TLC.

6. Take it slow and steady. If you intend to start a new exercise plan for your dog, start off slowly. Paws are likely to be sensitive, cracked or chaffed, especially when taking your dog out for hikes and runs.

7. Use first aid. Because it is not unusual for your dog to acquire cuts or suffer from other wounds due to accidentally stepping on broken glass or other debris, make sure that you have a pet first aid kit. Small wounds can be cleaned using an antibacterial wash and then wrapped with a bandage. Deeper cuts, however, will require seeing your vet for treatment.

8. Help him deal with summertime sores. Have you tried stepping barefoot onto a very hot pavement? Ouch! Well, that pricking pain of extreme heat can also be felt by your dog. To keep his paw pads from burning and blistering, steer him away from hot pavements and sand.

9. Getting through wintertime blues.  Bitter cold is hard on everyone’s skin, and your dog is certainly not exempt. After outdoor walks, make sure that you have washed your dog’s paws with warm water so that salt, de-icers, and other harmful chemicals are rinsed away. To keep his pads from getting chapped or cracked, apply a paw protectant (available on Amazon.com). Letting your pooch wear doggie boots to protect against freezing ice and dangerous salts and snow-melting chemicals is also advisable.

A dog’s paws get a lot of rough use – they run over rocks, skate along the ice, stand up to the summer heat, and dig through sand and dirt. Those paw pads see a lot during a dog’s lifetime, so do your canine fur baby a favor and  help him keep those feet running safely and comfortably all year ’round!