{"id":1076,"date":"2016-11-21T06:00:42","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T06:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=1076"},"modified":"2017-12-27T18:14:30","modified_gmt":"2017-12-27T18:14:30","slug":"dog-paw-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/dog-paw-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Paw Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><strong>Dog Paw Care: Tips For Year Round Safety<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/earthbath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/PAW.jpg?resize=324%2C324\" alt=\"Related image\" width=\"324\" height=\"324\" data-cke-saved-src=\"http:\/\/earthbath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/PAW.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As vulnerable as a human foot, your dog\u2019s paws need to be taken care of and pampered.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t 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\u2019s paws in extreme conditions. \u00a0There 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.<\/p>\n<p>A big misconception that many people have is that a dog\u2019s paws can tolerate anything. This is not true. \u00a0Just like human feet, paws can crack, blister, and bleed. According to the\u00a0AKC, a dog\u2019s paw is made up of skin, bone, tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and connective tissue, which is very similar to our anatomy.\u00a0 To help keep your pooch\u2019s paws healthy all year long, check out the following tips.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Dog Paw Care 101<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h5><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Winter<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>The hazards of winter can be dangerous to your pup\u2019s paws. Dogs\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s paws before going outside in the winter months.\u00a0Cloth or rubber dog booties\u00a0are a great way to protect your dog\u2019s 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 &#8220;footwear&#8221; (see video).<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lZaC6D7GUto?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" gesture=\"media\" allow=\"encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>For those who don&#8217;t need actual boots, but would prefer not to have their pet&#8217;s paws come in contact with dirty streets or muddy areas,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/s?query=rubberized+boots&amp;nav-submit-button=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0balloon boots\/rubberized boots<\/a>\u00a0work perfectly as a lightweight, comfortable alternative for keeping paws safe and clean.<\/p>\n<p>However, not all dogs will tolerate booties.\u00a0 If that is the case, consider this option:\u00a0 Invisible Boots.\u00a0 \u00a0Invisible boots aren&#8217;t actually boots at all. They&#8217;re a wax-like product that&#8217;s spread on paw pads and between toes to protect against heat, cold, and the elements.\u00a0<em><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Musher&#8217;s Secret <\/span><\/strong><\/em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(available on Amazon.com, see below)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is one such product that helps provide a semi-permeable shield of protection to your pet&#8217;s pads and between toes. And, while it was developed for mushing sled dogs, it&#8217;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&#8217;s pads and the world.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=cdw07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0002IJQDC&amp;asins=B0002IJQDC&amp;linkId=a219a23ec878bd1bbd2d039e0124948d&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=cdw07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00CL0PB9W&amp;asins=B00CL0PB9W&amp;linkId=f1acdbc3b756b816e04d4b5bfe9c06c9&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><br \/>\nGood grooming habits can also help maintain good paw health in the winter. On his website,\u00a0Cesar Milan advises\u00a0to\u00a0trim the hair around the paws of long-coated dogs\u00a0to make sure that none of the hair comes into contact with the ground. This proper grooming will prevent &#8220;ice balls&#8221; from forming between and around the paw pads which can be painful and result in trauma. It also makes it easier to apply the <em>paw wax\u00a0<\/em>to the pads.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It is also important to clean up after winter walks. When you get back inside, make sure to\u00a0thoroughly clean off your dog\u2019s paws\u00a0with 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.<\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Summer<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Summer may be snow-free, but it still poses some potential hazards to a dog\u2019s paws. Summer means trips to the beach and lots of outdoor time (yay!), but it can also mean\u00a0hot sand and even hotter asphalt. A good rule of thumb is \u2013 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.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-10-hot-surfaces.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1089\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-10-hot-surfaces.png?resize=300%2C104&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-10-hot-surfaces\" width=\"300\" height=\"104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-10-hot-surfaces.png?resize=300%2C104&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-10-hot-surfaces.png?w=624&amp;ssl=1 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dogs also spend a lot more time outside in the summer months, so summer is a good time to\u00a0check your dog\u2019s paws\u00a0for 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/s?query=paw+moisturizers&amp;nav-submit-button=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pad moisturizer<\/a> (just don\u2019t use your own moisturizer \u2013 according to the\u00a0ASPCA\u00a0it can soften the paws and lead to injury). Any severe burns or deep cuts should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1080\" style=\"width: 144px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1080\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3.jpeg?resize=144%2C107&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3\" width=\"144\" height=\"107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-3.jpeg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 144px) 100vw, 144px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Foxtails can attach to your dog&#8217;s fur and get into paw crevices.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If your dog spends a lot of time in open fields, keep an eye out for\u00a0<em>foxtails<\/em>, 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\u00a0can lead to infection\u00a0if untreated. Try to remove it gently with tweezers, but if the area is\u00a0red 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\u2019 ears, eyes and noses.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Summary &#8211; Basic Care for Your Dog\u2019s Paws<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>1. Try pampering your dog\u2019s paws with pedicures.\u00a0His 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,\u00a0most dogs will need to have their nails trimmed every 1-2 months.<\/p>\n<p>2. Do the snip and trim.\u00a0Try trimming the hairs on your dog\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>3. Explore in between.\u00a0Because foreign objects could easily become lodged in your pet\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>4. Moisturize, moisturize, and then moisturize.\u00a0Your dog\u2019s pads can easily get dry and cracked so ask your vet about good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/s?query=paw+moisturizers&amp;nav-submit-button=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pad moisturizers<\/a> designed especially for dogs. Do not apply hand moisturizers for humans as it could soften the dog\u2019s pads\u00a0and\u00a0lead to unwarranted injury.<\/p>\n<p>5. Give your pet a soothing deep paw massage.\u00a0Just 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.<\/p>\n<p>6. Take it slow and steady.\u00a0If 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.<\/p>\n<p>7. Use\u00a0first aid.\u00a0Because 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpets&amp;field-keywords=pet+first+aid+kit&amp;rh=n%3A2619533011%2Ck%3Apet+first+aid+kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first aid kit<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<p>8. Help him deal with summertime sores.\u00a0Have 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.<\/p>\n<p>9. Getting through wintertime blues.\u00a0\u00a0Bitter cold is hard on everyone\u2019s skin, and your dog is certainly not exempt. After outdoor walks, make sure that you have washed your dog\u2019s 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 <em>paw protectan<\/em>t (available on Amazon.com). Letting your pooch wear doggie boots to protect against freezing ice and dangerous salts and snow-melting chemicals is also\u00a0advisable.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=cdw07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B013F3ZO4K&amp;asins=B013F3ZO4K&amp;linkId=1de1484f63b90edcb2842ecc69c1f696&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><br \/>\nA dog\u2019s paws get a lot of rough use\u00a0\u2013 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\u2019s lifetime, so do your canine fur baby a favor and \u00a0help him keep those feet running safely and comfortably all year \u2019round!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1086\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8.jpg?resize=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-pets-blog-dog-paws-8.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dog Paw Care: Tips For Year Round Safety As vulnerable as a human foot, your dog\u2019s paws need to be taken care of and pampered.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t 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\u2019s paws in extreme &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/dog-paw-care\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[300,303,298,304,297,299,309,308,301,307,305,302,118,306],"class_list":["post-1076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care","tag-care-of-dogs-paws","tag-dog-booties","tag-dog-paw-care","tag-dog-paw-problems","tag-dog-paws","tag-dogs-paw-pads","tag-foxtails-in-dogs-fur","tag-foxtails-in-paws","tag-mushers-secret-paw-wax","tag-paw-pad-moisturizers","tag-paw-protectant","tag-paw-wax","tag-pet-care","tag-pet-first-aid","item-wrap"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1076"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2418,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1076\/revisions\/2418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}