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Dog Paw CareMake dog paw care easy with our tips on how to take care of dog nails and dog feet. Your dog spends a lot of time on her feet, so make sure that you give her paws and nails proper care! Dog foot care can be made easy. Punctures or Wounds on Dog FeetIf you live in a city or suburban setting, your dog may get little punctures or wounds on her feet from glass particles. cement or small stones.
Photo by Lisa Tozzi/flickr You will need to look carefully at your pet’s paws for little scrapes or cuts. If you find any, clean your pet’s paw with soap and water and then apply some antibiotic cream like Neosporin.
Remove Foreign Objects from Pet PawsSeeds can act like little torpedoes and become embedded in your dog’s paw like a sliver. If you find any, remove them with tweezers and apply antibiotic cream.Look between your dog’s toes to make sure that there aren’t any cuts, swelling or little pimples or abscesses. This is a problem especially with Dobermans, Pekinese, and Bull Terriers. If you find a problem between the toes, soak the affected foot in warm salt water. This will often relieve the pain. If the problem does not go away, then you need to seek the assistance of your veterinarian before the problem gets worse. Dog Care for Salt and Chemicals on PawsIf you live in the northern states, your dog may get salt or chemicals used to melt ice on her paws. Make sure that you remove the chemicals by washing with soap and water and then drying the paws thoroughly.Or, better yet, buy a pair of booties that prevent contact with wet areas and chemicals. If you don’t address this issue, your dog’s paws will become irritated from the chemicals and your pet will surely lick her paws and ingest chemicals that may be very bad for her! Make sure you include washing chemicals and salt in your dog paw care routine.
Trimming Dog NailsThis takes patience—mostly because it is usually not your pet’s favorite activity! That having been said, it is very important. It will avoid dog foot problems and, believe it or not, ingrown toenails on your pet.Long dog nails also wreak havoc on your flooring and can snag your carpets, so it’s best to address them before you have a problem. Start getting your puppy used to the idea of her dog paw care when she is still little. Handle her paws frequently so she’s used to being touched on them. You’ll need to purchase a pair of clippers that are designed especially for clipping dog’s nails.
When to Clip Dog NailsThe best time to clip your dog’s nails is when he is relaxed or sleepy. Clip just where the nail curves—beyond the quick, which is the sensitive pink area. Some dogs’ nails are clear so this will be pretty easy.If your dog’s nails are dark, you will have to be more careful to make sure that you don’t cut the nails too short. If you do cut the nails too short (cutting into the quick) it will be painful and will bleed. You can stop the bleeding with a styptic stick or styptic powder (like men use for shaving) or by rubbing the nail on a bar of soap. Clip your dog’s nails every 2 weeks. If you do it regularly, you are less likely to run into problems later. If your dog’s nails touch the floor when he is standing or if you notice a clicking sound on the floor when your dog walks, it’s time to clip.
Don't Forget
When you are finished trimming your pet’s nails, don’t forget to reward him for being “good” with a
dog biscuit
or
dog cookie
(I have included several recipes that your pet will love!) He will remember that there is a reward waiting, and it will be easier for you to trim his nails next time! |
