How do I take care of my dog's paws?

If the asphalt is too hot for us to walk on without shoes, it’s too hot for our pups. During the summer, opt for morning or evening strolls, so you are outside when temperatures are cooler. Your pup may benefit from booties or a paw balm to help keep their paws protected. There are several styles of dog boots on the market for both hot and cool surfaces that can be used to lower the risk of injury to a dog’s paw pads. Closely examine your dog’s paw pads after long walks or in hot weather. Look for small red swollen spots, darker coloration than usual, or even missing pieces of the pad itself. Getting your dog used to regular nail trims is a good way to prevent overgrown nails from altering your pup’s gait and causing orthopedic issues. Check for excessive hair on their paws while clipping your dog's nails, particularly dog breeds with curly coats. Rinse your dog’s paws after every walk to remove pollen from the skin potentially causing an allergic response.

When out for a walk or playing in the garden, your dog’s paws are exposed to rough surfaces, wet ground, dirt and debris. Depending on their level of exercise and the season, you can adjust the schedule to fit your dog's needs. If you frequently take your dog hiking, for example, you may need to check and wash their paws after every walk. Debris often gets stuck between the paw pads or in the toenails, so it's essential to check your dog's paws before lathering them up. If you have a medium- or long-haired dog, take a moment to trim the hair on the bottoms of their paws. After checking your dog's paws and trimming their hair, wet their feet, lather with mild dog shampoo and rinse. Don't forget to keep a towel nearby to dry your pet's paws so they don't slip or leave wet footprints around your house. If you want to do a routine dog paw cleaning after a quick walk, just gently wipe the paws with a washcloth and water. Don't forget to trim your dog's nails and dewclaws if needed.

Looking after your dog’s paws can require a lot of patience – especially if they are not used to having their paws touched. Give your dog a paw massage every now and again which will help your dog get used to you touching their paws. Start by gently rubbing the pads and then move to between their toes to relax them and get them comfortable with the experience. Dogs’ paws are similar to human feet in that they are very sensitive to the surface they’re walking over. If it would hurt the soles of your feet to walk across the hot tarmac of a car park in summer, it can also be uncomfortable for your dog – and may lead to blistering on their soles. If this happens, you should wash their paws gently in an antibacterial wash or warm salty water and wrap in gauze in a figure eight pattern, with loops around the foot and ankle. The cold weather presents a whole host of issues for dog owners when it comes to caring for your pet’s paws. The salt and de-icers used on roads and pavements can irritate your dog’s paws, so you should ensure you wash and moisturise their paws after they’ve been outside. If you notice the soles of your dog’s paws are cracked or dry, then massage Vaseline into them. Alternatively there are special pad moisturisers which you can buy from pet shops that are specifically designed for the job. The hair between the pads can also matt and become painful to walk on, so make sure that you trim these areas regularly too. Ensure your dog is still when doing this and make sure you have sharp, straight-edged scissors or clippers. If you can hear your dog’s toenails clicking on the floor, then it’s probably time for a trim. Use special dog nail clippers which can be bought from most pet shops and start with just a few claws, trimming a small bit off the end of each toenail and, as they get used to it, progressing to the whole paw. Don’t forget the dew claws! These are particularly prone to growing too long as your dog doesn’t ground these down from walking everyday. Start to associate trimming with positive things, such as a tasty treat, and eventually your dog may even learn to look forward to it. However, if your dog is uncooperative then visit your vet who can do this for you.

Check paws regularly. Foreign objects like pebbles, weeds, thorns, and bits of glass can get lodged in paws. Try to check your dog’s paws regularly, especially after being outdoors. Use tweezers to gently remove any debris. Clean regularly. Wipe or wash your dog’s paws as soon as they come in from outside. In winter, this will remove any de-icing products or ice that has gotten stuck. A cloth soaked in warm water and gentle massage can help loosen the ice. Dog’s paws need to be groomed regularly. Long nails can injure your dog and interfere with their walk. Your dog’s nails shouldn’t touch the ground when they are standing on a flat surface. The frequency of trimming depends on the breed and how active your dog is. In general, nails should be trimmed monthly. Moisturize. If your dog’s paws get too dry, they can crack and bleed. Only use moisturizers that are meant for dogs. Ease into exercise. Dogs need to get adjusted to new activities, so ease into a new exercise program with your dog. Like people, dogs can also get running injuries. Running on asphalt and other hard surfaces puts stress on dogs’ paws. Paw care during summer. It’s important to remember that the sidewalk and asphalt can be dangerously hot for your dog’s paws. If it’s too hot for bare feet, it’s too hot for paws. Try to walk your dog in the morning or evening when it’s hot outside. If possible, walk on the grass. Wintertime paw care. Dry and cold winter air can result in cracked paws. Dog booties may look a bit silly, but they’re great for protecting paws from ice, snow, salt, and de-icing chemicals. Make sure your dog's booties fit well. They should stay in place, but not be so tight that they change your dog’s way of walking. Preventing problems. To avoid paw injuries, check the areas that your dog walks and plays in to make sure that they are clear of debris. When taking your dog out for a walk, avoid broken glass, metal pieces, and other hazards. If it’s not a place you’d want to go barefoot, don’t walk your dog there.