Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on
it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely walk
over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their
paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and that's
why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this
doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas
between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts,
burns, and other ailments.
One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back
limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you
to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and
physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters.
Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like
people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep
persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws
touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm
only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our
words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and
sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice.
If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic
solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound
again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks
infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once
shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my
dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she
was fine after treatment).
In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which
can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim
regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even
in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped
between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's
best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud
between the toes.
Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also
experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is
similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use
your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge
involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply
it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your
dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the
moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your
pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking
his paws.
Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered
if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But
your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk
out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular. In
the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own
paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.
About Author :
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop
by for toy dog couture and home decor, free dog postcards and
the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
