One of the greatest pleasures of owning a dog is taking your pet for daily walks. No matter the time of year, your dog will always be eager to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with you. As you throw on your walking shoes, grab the leash, and head for the door, it’s important to remember that your walking buddy is essentially heading out into the world barefoot. A dog’s foot pads are made up of fat, connective tissue, and very thick skin. The pads are tough and get tougher the more a dog walks on them. However, they are not totally impervious to injury. Although dog paws are tougher than the bottoms of our feet, they are still vulnerable to blisters, cuts, and burns. The potential for injury can vary by weather, time of year, and terrain. If your only option is to walk your dog in extreme conditions, whether summer or winter, remember that a pet stroller www.petroverusa.com can provide quality outdoor time for your pet while protecting his paws. Here’s what you should know about taking care of your dog’s paws. Accustom Your Dog to Paw Touching. Many dogs don’t like having their paws touched, which can lead to problems if an injury does occur. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to make sure your dog is used to having his paws touched and his nails trimmed from the time he’s a puppy. Keep Nails Trimmed. How often a dog’s nails need to be trimmed depends on his breed and lifestyle. Long nails tend to split or get torn off, which can be painful as well as lead to infection. Dogs who often walk on pavement usually don’t need their nails trimmed as the pavement acts as a kind of nail file. It is important to keep an eye on your dog’s dewclaws as they can easily become overgrown. Toughen Your Dog’s Paws. Regularly walking on pavement will help toughen his pads, making them less prone to injury. Start with short walks and increase the time in easy increments. Watch the Clock in Cold Weather. Short walks in very cold temperatures should be safe for your dog’s paws. However, dogs, like humans, can suffer from frostbite. Keep an eye on the time to protect your dog’s paws from injury. Look Out for Ice Patches. Your dog may love to jump and play in cold weather, so it’s really important to be aware of ice patches in his play area. Ice can not only cause a slip and fall injury, it can also have sharp edges that will cut your dog’s paws. Wipe Off Paws in Winter. Always wipe your dog’s paws after a winter walk. It’s extremely important to remove ice, snow, salt, and any chemicals that may harm his feet. Dog Boots. You may want to consider snow boots for your dog. They provide extra traction for safety as well as protecting his paws from cold, ice, and salt. Paw Wax. If your dog isn’t a fan of boots, paw wax can provide some protection while promoting healing of cracked or damaged paws. However, wax can be tricky to apply and will wear off on longer walks. Walk When It’s Cooler. Surfaces like asphalt soak up and hold the summer heat. Dogs who walk on hot surfaces risk pad burns that can lead to blistering, tissue loss, and extreme pain. If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s too hot for their paw pads. Check Your Dog’s Paws Regularly. Even if your dog is acting fine, check his paws routinely to catch any cuts, cracks, or developing problems such as red skin that could indicate the start of an infection.
Skip to content
