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Eating whatever comes their way, chasing anything and everything, plus getting plenty of belly rubs – these three things are enough to sum up the life of your carefree furry friend. In fact, when you think about it, dogs really are living the life aren’t they?
Of course, being an outdoor pup comes with its own set of perks and there are some breeds out there that require a lot more exercise than others… But have you ever actually thought about what all those chasing sessions on rough terrains might do to the feet of your four-legged companion?
A well-maintained paw plays a huge role in your pooch’s health and wellbeing, which makes it all the more important for you to look after them – from their delicate pads to their nails, everything must be taken into consideration if your dog is to live a happy, healthy life.
Now, if you’ve been wondering as to how you can ensure that your dog’s paws are in perfect condition, then you’ve landed in the right place.
In this blog, the team at Masterclip has put together some essentials that will help you to take care of your best friends feet.
Get those nails trimmed
The gentle click-clack of your pooch’s claws as they walk on the floor is quite a normal sound to hear, especially for a dog owner that spends considerable amounts of time with their little sidekick.
Although preferably, their nails should just touch the ground. If they are scraping and making it difficult for your dog to walk then it’s likely that they are not the right length that is required for your dog to be able to walk healthily from day to day.
If their nails grow longer than they’re supposed to be, then it might end up creating numerous issues for your dog. This mainly includes pain in their paws every time they walk, leading to incorrect posture, which further leads to other health problems.
And of course, the mere mention of pain for your dog should be enough to get you trimming those nails immediately.
A good trimming session – or perhaps, a special ‘pawdicure’ – can help you make that pitter-patter sound less prominent. Just see to it that you’re making use of quality dog trimmersand regularly keeping up with your dog’s set grooming schedule.
But, if you lack the confidence of doing it all by yourself, then it’s better that you book an appointment with the groomer.
Keep them paw pads dirt-free
Regardless of whether your pooch is making new friends during those evening walks or fetching sticks for you to throw back, they certainly run the risk of damaging their pads. Now, to keep them away from canine health issues, ensure that you’re checking their pads regularly to be sure that nothing is there hiding away in their paws.
Have a pair of tweezers to hand, in case your furry buddy ends up catching an uncomfortable or potentially harmful object in their pads - similar to when humans get a splinter.
These items could be anything from bits of dirt to small stones or even pieces of broken glass. If you think it’ll be difficult for you to remove the item from your dog’s pads, immediately book an appointment with the vet to ensure it’s nothing serious.
If your four-legged companion ends up infecting their pads because of something stuck between their paws, you can keep infections at bay by making them wear protective boots.
This way, you’ll not only be able to support the healing process, but also keep them pads secure from more damage.
Take proper care of their paws
Trimming your dog’s feet on a regular basis is important to help them steer clear of health problems. Oh, and while you are at it, do not miss out on the fur that’s beneath their paws.
When your pooch spends the majority of their time outside playing in the rain and those muddy puddles, it causes the fur on their paw pads to become matted. If this happens, it will make it difficult for your dog to walk, so this is something that you must be mindful of.
In order to avoid the fur from being matted, see to it that you’re using a quality brush and clipper to get rid of those furs between your furry buddy’s pads after every walk. You should straight away get to cleaning their paw pads if your dog has been splashing in puddles or rolling in the mud.
It is equally vital to clip their hair as well, because only then will they sit uniformly between their pads. Also, to know more about how you must store your clippers to ensure they continue working as efficiently as they should be, click here.
Give their paws a soothing massage
When it comes to grooming and taking care of your dog’s paw pads, give them a comforting massage using a gently, dog-friendly moisturiser.
Although, remember to moisturise their paws regularly and not just once in a blue moon!
Mind you, giving your four-legged companion that much-needed massage will not just make them feel relaxed, but it will also improve their blood circulation.
When purchasing a moisturiser for your dog, always select the one that’s tailor-made for dogs, as their needs are different than that of ours.
Now, if you aren’t sure as to which one would work best for your dog, consult your vet as they will be able to recommend a few good moisturisers.
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!