My Dog Has Dry Foot Pads

Applying moisturizer formulated for canines to the pad of your dog s feet when the weather is dry can help protect and heal from cracked pads cuts and hotspots.

My dog has dry foot pads. Most dogs do not enjoy having their paws picked up so you need to do it soft and slow. Dry and cracked paws can be painful and put your pet at a risk for infection. In addition to coming into direct contact with all types of surfaces and terrain pooches sweat through their paws and depend on them. Dry dog foot pads is a year round condition that you need to look for.

What happens if my dog hurts her foot pads. If you notice your dog has rough or dry paw pads the best thing you can do is provide natural moisturizing relief. Massage just as you would the heel of your own foot working the substance into cracks and dry spots. If your dog is limping or he is favoring one foot over the other it may be easy to spot an injury such as a cut or puncture that may have occurred from stepping on a thorn or a sharp object.

While you can buy dog footpad moisturizing agents from pet supply stores you also can use common household items to restore moisture. Apply a moisturizing. Sure you can try to put booties over your pup s paws but even if they don t kick them off those precious pads can still get dry and cracked. A torn foot pad doesn t hold stitches well so cuts and punctures take longer to heal.

And that can leave your canine friend compulsively nibbling and licking its paws for relief often making the problem worse. More commonly people complain and others find it oddly comforting that their dog s feet smell like corn chips. Healthy foot pads are crucial so injuries need prompt attention. Another common paw pad injury develops when dogs exercise for an unusually long period of time or on rough sharp or hot surfaces.

Redness and bleeding would be the first symptoms you should be looking for but you should also keep an eye out for general swelling. If your dog limps or licks at her pads take heed. Yeast and bacteria on your dog s feet is normal and your dog s immune system works to keep them at a manageable number. She may have a foot pad that is torn punctured or burned.

Paws pads can become dried out and cracked just as human feet can. However a variety of factors including hot pavement wintery conditions chemicals dry air exposure to rough surfaces and excessive licking can cause dry cracked paw pads. Usually cracked paw pads respond to home treatment and the avoidance of unhealthy conditions although in certain cases veterinary help should be sought. Rub small amounts of petroleum jelly or cold pressed food grade coconut oil onto footpads using just enough to absorb into the skin.

Socks slippers sandals boots we humans have many ways of protecting our feet but our dogs really don t. Avoid letting your dog walk in areas with sharp rocks broken glass or run on pavement. It s common for dog paws to become dry rough or even cracked for a variety of reasons.