Caring for Your Dog's Paws

Does your dog know any cute paw tricks, like Shake or Gimme Five ? Or do Fido’s skills in this department mostly consist of leaving perfect pawprint tracks on your floor? Either way, caring for your furry buddy’s feet is very important. A Louisville, KY vet offers some ‘pawesome’ tips on this below.

Paw Pads

Fido’s paw pads act as both shock absorbers and sensors. Your pet can get painful burns or abrasions from running on hot or harsh surfaces. Keep them moisturized with paw balm or paw wax. We also recommend keeping your furry best friend on soft ground as much as possible.

Nails

Don’t let your canine pal’s nails get too long! Overgrown claws can easily snag on things. This can cause painful tears, which can lead to infections and other problems. Plus, walking on long nails is a bit painful. Fido may shift his weight or change his gait in order to alleviate the discomfort. This puts a lot of stress on his bones and joints.



If you aren’t comfortable clipping your furry pal’s nails, consider getting a clipper with sensors. You may also want to try one of the grinding types. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Toes

Don’t forget to look between your four-legged buddy’s toes. Sometimes ticks attach themselves to pups’ feet. Dogs can also get foreign objects, such as gum or pebbles, stuck between their toes. If your pooch has toe fur tufts, you may want to clip these. They can collect gunk and get matted up. As you can imagine, this isn’t very fun for Fido!

Dew Claws

In the wild, dew claws help Fido grip his dinner. Your pooch may also use them to grab chews. However, sometimes the dew claws can get too long, and grow into your canine buddy’s skin. Ouch! Another potential issue here is that some pups’ dew claws are not attached by bone, but only by skin. This can pose a risk of injury, particularly in hunting dogs, as they can easily snag on things. Ask your vet for more information.

Hacks

Is your canine companion shy about having his paws touched? Teach Fido that he’ll get a yummy treat for letting you touch his furry feet. You’ll thank yourself later!

Do you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health or care? Contact us, your local Louisville, KY veterinary clinic, today!