Your dog’s feet are more than just the tools that help them explore the world – they’re a vital part of their overall health and wellbeing. From supporting their daily activities to protecting them from harsh surfaces, healthy paws ensure your furry friend can live an active, happy life. Neglecting paw care can lead to discomfort and even long-term mobility issues.
Foot care is essential for several reasons:
- Comfort and Mobility : Overgrown nails, matted fur, or cracked pads can make walking painful for your dog, affecting their posture and gait.
- Hygiene : Mud, dirt, and debris can get trapped in their paws, leading to irritation or infection.
- Protection : Regular maintenance protects the paws from harsh weather and rough terrain.
If you’ve been wondering how you can ensure that your dog’s paws are in perfect condition, then you’ve landed in the right place! In this blog, we've put together some essential grooming tips that will help you to take care of your best friend's feet in the comfort of your own home to ensure they remain in excellent condition.
Clipping Your Dog's Nails
The gentle click-clack of your dog’s claws on the floor is normal, but their nails should only just touch the ground. If they scrape or make walking difficult, they’re likely too long, which can cause paw pain and an inability to place their the pads on the ground properly resulting in poor posture, joint and muscle strain and other health issues.
Regular trimming with quality dog nail clippers can resolve this, but if you’re unsure, a groomer or veterinary nurse can trim them for you or show you how to do it safely at home. Getting your puppy used to having their feet handled for nail trimming is a crucial part of their early training to ensure the ease of carrying out their regular grooming routine over their lifetime.
Nail Clipping: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gather your tools – Use a quality, sharp dog nail clipper to leave a clean cut, dog nail file and have styptic powder on hand in case of needing to stop minor bleeding from accidentally catching the quick. A dremel or nail grinder can be used after clipping each nail to reduce the nail a little further and smooth rough edges. However avoid using these with dogs that have a lot of hair around the paws as the hair can easily become tangled, pulling the hair and being uncomfortable for your dog. Using a simple nail file is much easier and are usually much better tolerated. Gather some treats to reward or distract your dog.
Create a calm environment – Choose a quiet space and make sure your dog is comfortable and relaxed. Take your time to make this a positive experience for your dog. Your dog could be sitting or lying on their side to help you reach their paws and encourage them to stay still for clipping their nails.
Inspect the nails – Identify the quick (the pinkish part visible in light-coloured nails) to avoid cutting too far. Nails on the hind paws are usually worn down further than the front paws and usually require less trimming. Don't forget to trim the dew claws too.
Start clipping – Only trim the very ends of each nail to avoid catching the delicate vein inside the nail, called the quick. The quick can easily seen so make sure you only trim above this. For dark nails, trim a little off the end and check for a grey or pinkish centre to ensure you down clip them too short. Catching the quick can be painful so avoid this to ensure your dog has a good experience.
Reward your dog – Offer treats and praise to make the experience positive.
TOPTIP: Choose a nail clipper that is a suitable size for your dog.
Gentle Paw Cleansing
Your dog’s paws are constantly in contact with the the ground and a multitude of different surfaces. Whether they’re making new friends on evening walks or fetching sticks on the beach, their paws will collect all kinds of mud, grit, sand and dirt.
- To help prevent any issues, it’s important to check their paws regularly and ensure they’re clean, dry and free of debris.
- After walks, especially in winter, gently wash your dog’s feet to remove dirt, grit, and road salt, which can irritate their pads. Use a gentle wash that won't dry out the skin. We love this super sensitive organic formulation from Wildwash that won't strip the hair of its natural oils.
- Carefully dry their paws with a towel and inspect for any hidden objects, such as small stones which can lodge between their toes or in the pads.
- Keep a pair of tweezers handy for removing grass seeds and thorns can get caught between the toes. If you spot something tricky to remove or suspect an injury, don’t hesitate to contact your vet for help.
Trimming Your Dog's Paws
If your dog loves spending time outdoors splashing through puddles and playing in the rain, keeping their paws in top shape is essential. Regularly trimming the hair around their feet not only helps keep their paws clean and free of tangles but also improves their grip on slippery surfaces. Long hair between the pads can easily become matted or clumped, which may cause discomfort, painful skin sores, or even infections.
By keeping the fur around your dog’s paws neat and tidy, you can ensure better hygiene and comfort while preventing potential problems. Here’s how to keep their paws in tip-top condition:
Step-by-Step Guide:
Prepare your tools – you can trim the paws using different methods
- Straight edged dog grooming scissors, such as bull nosed scissors or finishing scissors.
- An A5 dog clipper such as the Pedigree Pro or Md Roamer clippers with a with close cutting clipper blades such as a 10F or 30F. Expert grooms can use a specialist toe blade with an extra narrow cutting width to trim the hair in a V-shape in the space around the large pad.
- A dog trimmer such as the Showmate II cordless dog trimmers. Small, quiet and versatile. this trimmer is perfect for this delicate task.
Lift the paw gently – Hold the paw securely but gently, making sure your dog feels relaxed. Lift it slightly to expose the underside.
Trim the tufts between the pads – Using a small slicker brush, rush through the hair to lift it ready to trim the hair. You can use your fingers too to gentle pull out the hair from between the close spaces of the toes to trim it level. scissors or a trimmer, carefully pull the tufts of hair between the pads upwards and trim them level with the pads. Avoid digging deep to prevent cutting the delicate skin membrane.
Tidy the hair on top of the paw – With the paw back on the ground, comb the hair upwards between the toes and trim it evenly. Use scissors to create a rounded, neat shape that follows the natural contour of the paw.
Check your progress – After each few snips, step back and inspect the paw to ensure an even trim.
TOPTIPS
- Take your time and trim in small sections.
- Reward your dog frequently to keep the experience positive.
- Avoid digging into the spaces between the toes as it can harm the delicate skin membrane.
- Don’t rush, as sudden movements may startle your dog and lead to uneven trimming.
Protect Their Paws
Paw balm is an essential product for keeping your dog’s paws healthy, moisturised and protected, no matter the season. Dogs' paws endure a lot! from hot pavements in summer to icy, salted paths in winter which can lead to cracks, dryness, and discomfort.
Paw balm acts as a protective barrier, locking in moisture and shielding against harsh surfaces and irritants. It can also help soothe and heal existing cracks or abrasions, keeping your dog comfortable and preventing infections. Regular use of paw balm not only nourishes their paws but also ensures they stay soft and resilient, making every adventure more enjoyable for your furry friend.
Healthy Happy Paws
Nail care – Keep nails trimmed to prevent discomfort and health issues.
Hair maintenance – Regularly trim the fur around and under the paws for hygiene and comfort.
Paw health – Use paw balms and clean paws after walks to keep them moisturised and irritation-free
Well, there we have it – our pawesome ways to help you keep your dog’s feet in tip-top condition. For further assistance or information regarding your dog's grooming needs, please get in touch with our team today!
