Your dog’s pads are for more than just leaving footprints all over the house every time he gets muddy – they have many more functions. This hairless tissue on his paws is much more important the we can ever imagine, and it can even affect his health, affecting the state of health of our pet. Next, we tell you how to take care of your dog’s pads correctly.
These pads are in direct contact with the ground at all times and therefore we must check them frequently, as they can become easily damaged, injured or cracked. Even though they are tough and resistant, at times they suffer heavy wear and tear because of the type of terrain and its temperature.
One of the main functions that characterise this part of the body is that it allows your pet to perspire, which helps them regulate their body temperature. This is an important factor as dogs only have sweat glands on their pads and their nose. At times you must have seen your dog rubbing his paws on the ground after relieving himself – this is a way of marking his territory with his scent through these glands.
How to protect your pet’s pads
These pads are very prone to suffer injuries or scratches that can become infected, that’s why it’s very important to take care of and inspect them. So we’re going to give you some tips and guidelines to protect your dog’s pads to prevent problems later.
- Avoid going for walks in very hot or cold weather, as burns are the most frequent injuries. So try to avoid walks on the beach in the middle of summer or walking on hot tarmac.
- Trim the excess hair on your dog’s paws as some breeds have a lot of hair and this can lead to knots and build-up of dirt, preventing your dog from walking normally.
- Exercise your dog moderately, as excess physical exercise can wear down and erode the pads. It’s true that daily physical exercise is recommended to harden the pads, but within reason otherwise the desired results won’t be achieved.
- Avoid long spells in water – if your dog is fond of bathing, no longer than 15 minutes. Too long in water can soften the pads and lead to damage.
Finally, one of the most important recommendations is inspecting your dog’s pads after walking him. Pay special attention to burrs or shards of glass that may have become embedded, and which could lead to infection.
How to heal pads
Son muchos los factores que puedan resultar dañinos para las patas de There are many factors that can be harmful to the paws of our pooches: urban waste, glass, stones, branches, etc., which can lead to wounds that require more specific treatment.
In the case of raw pads caused by abrasion, action should be taken quickly and the area should be washed with lukewarm water to remove impurities. The best thing is to let it heal without covering but if necessary, use a sterile gauze and hypoallergenic plaster.
When the pads become dry or cracked, we recommend administering aloe vera-based gels, creams, ointments or ointments to maintain proper hydration.
Last but not least, if the pad looks swollen, you should investigate the cause as it could be an allergic reaction to an insect bite or be due to an imbedded foreign object. In these cases, it’s advisable to take your dog to the vet and keep the pads clean using antiseptic products.