You may not have given much thought to your furry friend's feet, but Toto's tootsies are made for more than just walking. Your pet's paws feature tough pads that provide cushioning and protection. They insulate the paws from extreme heat and cold, resist abrasion and improve traction on slippery or tough terrain. And although the pads' surface is made up of dead skin cells, the pads protect living tissue, including blood cells, muscles and bones, deep in the paw.
As a responsible caretaker, it's up to you to ensure that your pet's paws remain in good working condition. The following tips from Experts should keep you—and your pet—on the right track.
Accidents Can Happen
It's not unusual for pets to suffer cuts or other wounds from accidentally stepping on glass, debris or other objects. As a general rule, if a cut is smaller than a half inch in diameter, you can treat it on your own; see our topic on Cuts, Scrapes and Abrasions [link] for more information.
However, if there is excessive bleeding, or if your companion seems to be in pain, call your veterinarian immediately. Also, if you notice a foreign object in the wound, such as a piece of glass imbedded in the paw, please call the vet.
The Great Outdoors
If you've started hiking or jogging with your pet, keep in mind that his paws will need time to "adjust" to the new activity and terrain. Until they do, they may become cracked and dry. To promote healing, you may wish to apply specially formulated paw cream such as 3M's Skin & Paw Crack Care.
Winter Weather Precautions
Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs, feet and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. This will prevent him from ingesting salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws. The ingestion of ice melts, for example, can produce effects such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, low blood pressure; in severe cases, cardiac abnormalities, seizures and even death can result.
It's also not uncommon for a pet's paw pads to become irritated from snow or encrusted ice. Try not to pull packed snow from your pet's feet, which could be painful. You may wish to get your pet set with a pair of protective booties for inclement weather. Irritated or dry winter skin can also benefit from a soothing, quick-drying paw cream.
Hot Tips for Summer
Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Poisonings are common during the summer months, when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed. These chemicals can sicken and even kill pets, who can ingest them by simply walking through a treated area and then licking their paws.
Never leave your dog standing on hot asphalt. His body can heat up quickly and his sensitive paw pads can burn.
For information on caring for your pet's nails, please see our topic on Nail Trimming.
This information is brought to you by 3M Pet Care Products, makers of Skin & Paw Crack Care. For more information, please click onto the 3M logo shown above or call 1-800-430-5000.
