Mary Allen
Well-groomed claws and groomed paws are an important part of the dog’s overall well-being. Long claws can get stuck in carpets, towels or just tear off and cause lots of unnecessary pain and drama.
Why not see the claw clipping as a pleasant moment with the dog, just like the walk, instead of a difficult must?
A visitation of the paws every day does not take long. If the paw has any minor damage, you will discover it at an early stage and can deal with it immediately.
On long-haired dogs, the fur between the toes should be cut so that debris or gravel does not get stuck. It is easy to cut off all the fur that protrudes between the pads on the underside. Preferably use a special trimmer, there is less risk of injuring the dog with one.
Dry your dog’s paws after the walk, so it is not dirty.
If your dog has sore cracks, the best tip is to lubricate them with a greasy ointment, such as Helosan. Lubricate the ointment one before the walk so it has time to go into the skin before the dog can lick its paws.
Pay attention if the paws get a reddish color and if the dog licks/scratches on the paws. The discoloration can be due to a fungal infection that easily takes hold when it is damp outside and the paws do not have time to dry. It is quite common with fungal infections of the skin between the toes of dogs. Mild fungal infections can be treated with the help of paw baths or wet wipes with, for example, chlorhexidine. If the dog licks a lot, you must have a collar for it to heal. If the symptoms do not go away, you need to contact a veterinarian. There are many other diseases that can cause itching on the paws e.g. allergies or furunculosis.
Non-slip with sock plastic
Slippery and scary floors are just a memory with cute little knitted sock plastic on the dog’s paws. Also protects the floors from sharp claws.