Whats in Your Pets Dog Paw and Feet

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Paw showing pads A. Claw, B. Digital Pads, C. Metacarpal Pad, D. Dew Claw, E. Carpal Pad.

Paw (dog) showing pads A. Claw, B. Digital Pads, C. Metacarpal Pad, D. Dew Claw, E. Carpal Pad.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons: ({{Information |Description=Paw (dog) showing pads |Source=own work (photo and GIMP modifications) |Date=8/9/06 |Author=Amos T Fairchild |Permission=as given }})

Paws are Built to Walk

Don't invest money in things that look cute but are not practical for your dogs paws. Your dog has paws with a cause, and they will enjoy walking as long as you take care of the dogs paw. Dog boots may look cute, but dogs walk out of them so easily, and with proper care they don't need them to protect their feet. They need you and the things you can watch out for and protect them with.

The things dogs walk on

A dog is always on walks, and finding itself walking on abrasive materials like concrete, on stone and rock, and on grass and bare soil. On a dogs feet, the area that is between the pads is quite a sensitive area and can easily cause pain to your pet. The area is easily cut, burned, and poked by thorns. People can wear shoes, but a dog cannot. Just because they cannot wear shoes does not mean they cannot be hurt. Yes, their paws are quite thick and protect them a lot more than our feet protect us. Still, they can get abrasions, cuts, thorns, and other hurts from ice and salt in the winter.

Healthy Paw

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Medication

Check Regularly

When applying medication to the paws

When ever applying a medication or moisturizer to a dogs paws, you will want to keep him busy afterward playing or some other way to restrain him from licking the moisturizer or medication off. Give it time to soak in. Dogs can get dry and hardened paws and the moisturizer helps keep them soft. It is OK to use a hand moisturizer you use yourself on the pets paws, just keep them from licking it immediately afterward. Your feet can become dry and cracked and so can a dogs paws.

Check the paws on a regular basis

You should check you dogs paws about once a week to check for dryness, sores,blister and cuts. Of course, if your pet is limping, and staying off one foot or another, its time for an immediate look-see. It maybe something as simple as a thorn, or it could be a cut. You want to be on this quickly to keep from getting the paw infected.[1]

Mud

Simple mud getting between the toes of your pet can cause the pads to become dry, and can cause irritation to the area, so a quick rinse under some water will dissolve the mud and keep your pet happy. Hair also in some dogs grows between the pads and can be a problem, with those dogs be sure to keep that area clipped nicely. In other words, there are things you can do that will keep your dog in good running health.

Be gentle

Most pets will relax if you speak gently to them as you work with their feet. Dogs have a limited vocabulary and you can't reason with them about why you are bothering their feet. But they understand the intent of the words, the calmness of the words being said to them can go a long way in calming the dog while you try to deal with the problem. Most dogs don't like you messing around with their paws and toes, and you could even get a growl or worse from some. Its instinctive and nothing to do with you. You may have to use a mussel as a last resort to keep from getting bit by some of these animals. Most times though if raised from a puppy dong regular paw inspections, this should not be a problem.

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Cuts and Small Wounds

Small cuts

Most times small cuts can be taken care of at home. Sometimes its necessary to take the pet to the vet. Usually you can clean a small wound with a sterile rinse and antiseptic cream. Check it each day, but if it looks infected its time to see the vet! Remember, when in doubt, its time to see your pet specialist, the veterinarian.

Summary

Your dog is part of your family like dogs that are the pet of any other person, and their paws or paw is very much a concern of yours as a owner in order to keep your friend healthy and happy.