Here are some easy tips for you to make sure your dog s paw pads stay clean and healthy so your dog stays happy.
Healthy dog foot pads.
They also insulate the foot from extreme weather hot and cold and aid navigation of uneven or rough terrain.
Foot pads protect bones and joints from the shock incurred by running and walking.
Look between toes on the top of the foot and between the pads on the bottom of the feet.
If so this could be a warning sign.
Does your dog spend an inordinate amount of time licking his feet.
Dog owners need to investigate the source of the irritant to determine if there is a particular reason or location of the dog s attention to its feet.
Dry and cracked paw pads.
Foot care is just as important for our dogs as it is for us humans dogs can suffer from blisters torn paw pads burnt paws from walking on pavement that s too hot or mats between their toes.
Although your dog s pads are very hardy they do need some kind of protection against the elements when it is very hot or cold out.
Nail trimming is crucial to maintaining good paw health.
As always dog boots are a great first line of defense in winter or summer.
A healthy dog should be able to hike and run around without splitting or cracking his paw pads.
Be cautious when inspecting your dog s paws as he may react unpredictably to the pain.
A dog s nails provide stability.
It s rare for most dogs other than working dogs or hunting dogs after running tests on the lab she discovered he had liver disease which can be caused by toxins medications cancer bacteria viruses or autoimmune and degenerative issues.
A dog s paw is an amazing thing with structures that work together when all is strong and healthy.
Allergies are one of the major causes for red inflamed paws and a common reason that a dog would be licking their feet.
When a dog s genetics make them prone to skin allergies the skin has a weaker protective barrier to the external world.
For serious burns visit your vet immediately.
Areas to check on your dog s feet include.
If your dog limps or licks at her pads.
However a variety of factors including hot pavement wintery conditions chemicals dry air exposure to rough surfaces and excessive licking can cause dry cracked paw pads.
Dry and cracked paws can be painful and put your pet.
They also need protection during wintertime from snow ice and salt.
For minor burns to the paw pads apply a gentle antibacterial wash and cover the paw with a dog boot.
Healthy foot pads are crucial so injuries need prompt attention.
Pets paw pads are supposed to be rough so they can get traction on smooth surfaces.
Peeling away of the paw pad is often the most visible injury in which the thick outer covering is peeled away due running or skidding on hard or rough areas and the tender inner part becomes exposed.
When my australian shepherd sisko tore two toenails on a camping trip this summer i got a quick refresher course in how the structures of the paw work together and how important a dog s toenails are.
