Last Updated on 2 years by Jenny Sovann
Paw care is an essential part of any pet grooming process. A good amount of time should be spent helping your pets maintain their paws and nails, no matter if they are long or short. Even the most well-groomed dogs need a little bit of attention in this area.
Dog nails grow with age, and when they have been worn down, either from playing or from being indoors all day, they must be checked for overgrowth signs. If you notice something wrong with one of your dog’s nails, then call a veterinarian to check what the problem might be. In most cases, though, checking your dog’s feet doesn’t have to take too much time out of your schedule since routine, simple inspections will do.
Any dog owner with a water hose knows how easy it is to wash the paws of your pet. However, most dog owners do not see that it’s essential for your dog’s nails to dry properly after being washed.
One of the biggest concerns with washing a pet’s footpads is trying to avoid damage. To prevent this, follow these steps:
Get all of the shampoos off
Dogs walk on their paw pads every day and constantly accumulate dirt and bacteria under them, which can cause skin irritations or infections if left alone. Unless you like having dirty feet, too, make sure you get all of the soap out of its paws! It includes any residue from any shampoo they may have on them. It is essential to let the paws dry entirely before returning inside.
Get help
If you’re like me, this may be one of the most complicated steps; there’s nothing more frustrating than having your dog fight against you to avoid bathing them! Luckily, most dogs enjoy baths (I know I would if they included belly rubs and full-body massages); however, not all do, so it can take a lot of persistence on your part to make sure they are fully dried off. The best way to handle this step is by asking someone else in the house or enlisting some innocent bystander who has nothing better to do than watch your dog sit still for five minutes so you can dry their feet. Because let’s face it, once you’re in the middle of washing them, there’s no way you’re going to be able to stop and wait for their feet to dry up.
Get a hairdryer
While this may sound silly, using a hairdryer can help get your dog’s paws completely dry. The air from the blow-dryer will suck all of the moisture out of their paws until they are bone dry. You don’t have to hold it on them continuously either – just set it on the most relaxed setting and blow until you notice that all of the water has evaporated from their paw pads. Moreover, you can also use a cotton towel to better dry the paws as it easily absorbs the water and moisture. Most dogs will not mind this step because it feels like they are getting a new pair of socks.
Treat after
Just like you would do for yourself after a nice warm shower, it is always a good idea to treat your dog to something they enjoy (for example, liver treats or their favorite toy) right after the bath! It will make them associate baths with good things, and in return, they may be less resistant to future showers.
Wash very often
Even if you follow all these steps to wash your dog’s paws without damaging the nails, that doesn’t mean that they won’t get dirty again soon! Make sure you clean their footpads every week or more frequently, depending on how much time they spend outside and playing in the mud; this will help cut down on the chance of them getting infections or irritations.
No puddles
It is imperative to make sure that your dog’s paws stay dry after you have finished washing them, especially if they are allowed outside while their footpads dry. If this is not an option for you and it starts to rain within a few hours of finishing the bath, then it will be necessary to use a blow-dryer just like before; however, it can take up to two hours for some breeds to completely dry so keep this in mind when planning your day!
Be careful with salt
Although many people may not think about it, there is something important to watch out for when walking your dog during snowy or icy weather. If you notice that their pads are turning red or walking differently, then the salt used to melt ice has attached itself to their paws and will likely not come off without some help. To avoid this problem, try to cut back on how much salt is used in your area during winter months; it may save your dog the discomfort of dealing with irritation (and you the cost of having to clean up after them all over your house!).
Repeat
Finally, make sure you repeat these steps for how to wash your dog’s paw pads at least once a month; even if there aren’t any issues now, contaminants build up over time and can easily lead to infections (and no one wants that). So stick with it, and your dog should be happy, clean, and healthy for years to come!