Taking care of your paws is an important aspect of taking care of your dog's health. Proper care will help to minimize the impact of such negative environmental factors as reagents, poor road surface, debris, harmful liquids, etc. How to properly care for your dog's paws?
How you take care of your dog's paws depends on the time of year and where you live. Dogs living in urban areas are more susceptible to unpleasant factors. In large cities in winter, roads are sprinkled with reagents that corrode the skin of the paw pads. In rural areas, the dog can be injured by a thorn, rip open the pad with a sharp stone. Dogs may not always show that they are feeling pain. Therefore, it is important to regularly examine your dog's paw pads, remove excess hair, trim nails, and periodically moisturize the skin.
Claw cutting
In some dogs, the claws are worn down naturally. But most dogs, especially those who are inactive, need to be trimmed regularly. Long claws prevent the dog from walking, which changes their gait. In the future, this can lead to serious joint diseases. In addition, regrown claws can dig into the pads of the paws, causing severe pain to the dog.
It is necessary to cut the nails as they grow, about once every 2 weeks. It is important to try not to damage the pulp, as this is painful for the dog and can cause fear of clipping. If the blood vessel was nevertheless damaged, then it is necessary to treat the claw with an antiseptic agent (hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution, iodine, brilliant green) and protect it from moisture and dirt. For example, you can put on a special protective rubber cap or seal the claw with a bactericidal plaster.
Hair clipping on paws
The long hair between the toes and the pads of the paws contributes to the formation and development of fungus due to the high humidity in these places. Also in winter, it contributes to the adhesion of snow and the formation of lumps that prevent the dog from moving, and in the summer it clings to all thorns lying in the path. Therefore, it is recommended that this wool be carefully trimmed.
Hair clipping on the paws not only saves from the above problems, but also makes the appearance of the paws neater and more aesthetically pleasing, facilitates their washing and clipping.
Cleansing and moisturizing
Some grooming studios have a service called "complex lapakur". It includes a manicure and pedicure for dogs with the application of various moisturizing balms and protective creams to the paw pads. But the owner of the dog does not have to carry his pet to the salon, as you can take good care of the dogs' paws at home.
After each walk, paws should be washed with water at room temperature. In winter, it is recommended to use a special paw soap to rinse off the reagents.
After washing the paws, it is recommended to dry them thoroughly, and then apply a special moisturizer, balm or petroleum jelly to them. This contributes to the formation of a special protective layer on the paw pad. In winter, to protect the paws from reagents, you can use a special paw wax or put boots on the dog.
The dog is ready to accompany its owner always and everywhere: both on a walk in the park, and on a long hike. So that at the same time she does not experience discomfort, it is necessary to monitor her paws and properly care for them.
