A dog’s paws are both very strong and robust and delicate. Their most sensitive part is the pads. They are the very basis of the dog’s paws. This is why it is so important for you to know how to care for your dog’s pads. Wounds that occur on their surface have a harder time healing. So you should focus your attention on protecting them properly from injury.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR DOG’S PADS?
Paws are probably the cutest part of our dogs’ bodies. I often wonder how there may be so much strength in these inconspicuous-looking paws. Especially the underside of a dog’s paws looks very delicate. It is good to know how to take care of your dog’s pads. Why is this so important?
Dogs are very energetic animals. They love spending time actively. There is no denying that they do all their activities with their paws. Whether it’s running in the park, playing with their favourite toy or digging holes in the back garden, which I don’t like very much.
All of these activities are carried out by your dog with his paws. It is therefore your job to take proper care of this so important part of your pet’s body. It is the paw pads that are most vulnerable to all kinds of damage, scratches and cuts.
PAW PADS – WHAT ARE THEY?
OK, but what are paw pads? There is no denying that they are probably the most important part of a dog’s paws. Their structure and structure allow the paws to support the entire weight of the dog’s body.
The pads are in direct contact with the ground as the pooch moves. The epidermis on the pads is strong and thick, but it can be damaged. If this happens, it is important to react straight away, as this is a wound that will bother your dog constantly when he moves.
WHEN ARE YOUR DOG’S PADS MOST VULNERABLE?
The best way to look after your dog’s paw pads is to avoid situations when they are most vulnerable. As you are certainly a responsible carer I believe you are already familiar with most of these. However, if your adventure in caring for your four-legged dog is just beginning, I’d be happy to give you some tips on what you need to look out for.
1. WINTERTIME
During cold temperatures and snowfall, your pooch’s paws are particularly vulnerable. While there is nothing wrong with playing in the snow for not too long, walking for long periods in the white powder can be troublesome for your dog’s paws.
Surely, you have more than once had the opportunity to see a doggie alternately curling its paws while walking on winter days. This is a visible sign that the ground he is walking on is far too cold for him.
In addition, during the winter, snow and ice-covered pavements are sprinkled with salt. This is very inconvenient during daily walks with your pet. Salt is very irritating to the paw pads of dogs. It can cause very severe wounds and thus cause your pet terrible pain. Therefore, we should pay special attention to how to take care of your dog’s pads during the winter.
2. SUMMER AND HOT DAYS
Hot summer days can be oppressive, both for us and also for our pets. Under the influence of very high temperatures outside, the ground such as pavement or asphalt can get very hot.
This is particularly noticeable during really hot weather. Walking on such heated ground can cause burns to the pads of the paws of the dogs. This is very dangerous for our pets.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DOG’S PADS?
Remember that any injury to your dog’s paw pads is very difficult to heal. Why? Because the dog constantly injures the affected area when moving around.
After all, there is no way you can force your dog to lie down continuously for the duration of wound healing. Covering the pad that needs treatment with a bandage can also prove very difficult.
I think that few dogs will not try to get rid of an unwanted dressing from their paw. This is why it is so important to know how to care for your dog’s pads. Preventing wounds and cuts from forming is much better than treating those that have already formed.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR DOG’S PADS?
Not every pooch has the same degree of sensitivity when it comes to paw pads. Some dogs will be more resilient, others less so. A lot depends on the breed of the dog. Dogs from the winter-type group will do much better when walking for long periods in the snow. Their paws feel the cold ground much later.
A Maltese, Yorkie or Chihuahua, on the other hand, will very quickly sense that the conditions during winter walks are not for them.
REGULAR CHECK-UPS OF THE DOG’S PADS
First of all, you should constantly check the condition of your pooch’s pads. This is especially important in winter or, as I mentioned earlier, during hot weather.
During this period any, even small accidental cuts to the pad will be more painful for your pooch. Be it when coming into contact with salt or hot pavement. This is why it is so important that you regularly check your doggie’s pads to make sure they are not cracked or too rough to the touch.
WASHING PAWS AFTER A WALK
This is particularly important during the winter when snowy pavements are covered with sand and salt. Even if you do not notice your pooch experiencing discomfort when walking, you should still remember to clean his pads when you return.
Salt has a slow effect. Its negative effects when left on the paws may not even appear until several hours after returning from a walk. Make sure when crossing the threshold of the house after each trip to the park that you have cleaned your pet’s paws well.
PROTECTING THE PADS
If you know that outdoor conditions can affect your pooch’s paws badly, you should protect them properly before going out.
Ointments with moisturising and lubricating properties and rich in vitamins are best for protecting your dog’s pads. Particularly recommended are those containing vitamins A and E.
The main purpose of such ointments is to create a protective barrier on the dog’s pads in the form of a greasy film. In this way, the dog’s paw does not come into direct contact with the unpleasant ground in its most sensitive areas.
I, for the most part, recommend opting for products designed specifically for dog pads. Not every moisturising product made for humans may be suitable for use by dogs. If this is the case, it is a good idea to ask your vet or pet shop staff for a recommendation.
TREATING WOUNDS AND CUTS
As soon as you notice that your pooch’s pads have been wounded you must act immediately. Delaying can only make the problem worse. The dog’s walking can further aggravate the wound or even contribute to an infection.
In such a situation, daily walks should be kept to a minimum. So that your pooch does not have to spend time on the wounded ground after doing his business.
Take special care of your pooch’s paw hygiene. Try to spend more time lying down with him. This is the time when an evening on the sofa under a soft ZEN dog blanket is more advisable than active play together. Your pooch’s paws will need time to recover.
WHY ARE DOGS’ PAW PADS SO SENSITIVE?
During evolution, dogs were equipped with such paw pads to allow them to function in natural conditions. The salt found on winter pavements, or the very hot tarmac, is entirely man-made. The nature of the dog did not foresee that it would function in such conditions.
Now you know how to look after your dog’s pads and why this is so important. Some dogs will allow themselves to wear special shoes during the winter days. However, I think this will include a small percentage of dogs. Therefore, we need to take care of our dog’s paws ourselves to keep them in good shape.
Or do you have your ways of looking after your pooch’s pads and want to share them with me?
