Caring for canine paws

This dog came in to us as a stray and look at her poor feet.  This is just what we don’t want to see.   It must be very uncomfortable, if not painful, for dogs to have to walk with long nails.  Such neglect can deform the angle of the paw too.   If you have your dog groomed at a salon the nails will usually be checked and trimmed.  Mention it when you book in to make sure.

You can trim them yourself using special clippers, easy enough to obtain.    Make sure you cut below the ‘quick’ (that’s the pink bit with a blood supply in the middle of the claw).  If you accidentally cut in to the quick there’ll be a lot of bleeding.   A liberal application of wound powder will help it to stop.  You can buy special ‘stop bleeding’ applicators too.  These things are always useful in an emergency and it’s a good idea to keep them in your canine first aid box just in case.  A lint pad and a baby’s sock taped over with micropore makes a neat dressing until the bleeding has stopped.   If you do accidentally cut the quick remember that it’s an open wound and make sure to keep it clean.

Dogs will wear their claws down naturally as they exercise, especially if it’s on a hard surface like the pavement.   There are times when dogs don’t go out so much, if they’re ill or in old age.  This is when you really do need to keep an eye on their claws.   The vet will usually clip them for you if you are worried about doing it or unsure where the ‘quick’ is.

Sometimes dogs have an unusually long ‘quick’ and cutting the nails is a no-no.   The answer here is to do a little and often and filing the end of the nail is a help.   An ordinary pedicure file will do, the ones for our feet are best.

Salt baths are good, a handful of sea salt and some warm water in a shallow bowl (cat litter trays – make sure it’s a new one) work very well.    And what about the pads?   They can get dry and cracked so check them over regularly.  Isn’t it amazing that dogs can walk on any surface on these soft black cushions?    We put a generous smear of olive oil on dog’s pads from time to time, every day if they look dry.

Exercise helps all foot troubles, although if the paws are sore it’s difficult.   Walking on a sandy beach and having frequent dips in the sea is one of the best ways to improve a dog’s feet.  There you, that’s an excuse for a holiday at the coast.