Proper Paw Care Tips for Your Beloved Puppers and Doggos!

When it comes to proper dog grooming, most pet owners could probably give an entire Ted Talk with a complete presentation, bullet points, and everything. Pet owners are some of the devoted and knowledgeable people to talk to regarding pet care. 

But of course, they don’t just come by this information on their own. They usually get started by researching and asking their professionals about taking better care of their dogs. Dog grooming is a popular topic among pet owners, and you can bet that each one you meet will have various tips and tricks to share with you. 

However, despite this free flow of information, there seems to be a lack of conversation about paw care. This is unfortunate because even though dog paws are supposed to be rough and “strong,” it still needs tender loving care. 

In this article, we will share a few simple proper paw care tips. 

Trim Their Nails Regularly 

Trimming dog nails can be challenging. However, it is an essential part of their grooming routine. It’s important to understand that dogs’ nails shouldn’t touch the ground when they walk. 

Listen for clicking sounds or scratching whenever your dog walks. If clipping their nails proves to be impossible without professional help, you can also try to file their nails down. It will take a lot more time than trimming, but at least it’s effective. 

Part of proper paw care is nail maintenance. This also saves them from getting wounded from repeated scratching.

Trim the Hair Between Paw Pads

Paw care is all about maintaining and grooming the parts of your dog that are hidden and easily forgotten. Another essential part of the dog’s paws you need to pay attention to is the hair between their paw pad. That hair tends to matter and become quite painful.

Do your best to get in there and trim the hair whenever possible. Of course, regular dog grooming should take this responsibility off your plate. But if time or other circumstances don’t allow you to get to the groomer, it will be your job to check and trim. 

Check Their Paws Regularly

Whether your dog is fond of the indoors or outdoors, plenty of debris can get caught in their paws—things like rocks, tiny twigs, and more. It’s more likely that they’ll get those things from outside, but it’s not impossible even if they stay indoors. 

Check their paws as much as possible. Aside from finding things that might have gotten stuck in there, it’s also important to clean that area as well. Dogs are very active and curious—always getting into nooks and corners they probably shouldn’t. 

This can lead to minor scratches or cracks in their paws. If you never check, you’ll never know that they might already be suffering. Be mindful of any excessive licking and chewing, as well as this could be a sign of something more serious. 

Moisturize and Massage Their Paws

Think of your dog’s paws like any other type of skin. While it’s rougher and generally more durable than human skin, it can still dry up and crack. Whether during cold or hot weather, their paws can get pretty sensitive and banged up over time. 

Make time to massage and moisturize their paws. Although they might not be too thrilled, they’ll thank you when it’s over. Massaging and moisturizing can also be preventive measures against cracks and scratches. Remember to use products that are safe to consume—in case they lick their paws. 

Summary

Most dog parents might neglect the paws because of their dog’s paw sensitivity. While it is their instinct to protect and keep their most crucial body parts to themselves, you have a responsibility to do your best to maintain and care for every aspect of your dog. 

Dog grooming is more than just regular baths and brushing. Remember to take care of all their minor parts, nooks, and crannies. 

If you’re still figuring your way around paw care, we’d like to help you. EarthWise Pet Fremont is a dog grooming wellness spa in Washington.  You can count on us to take good care of them. Our goal is to keep them as comfortable as possible, so let us know if there’s anything extra we can do to help!