As professional dog groomers, we play a critical role in ensuring the overall health and well-being of the dogs in our care. One of the most important areas to focus on is their paws. The paws are essential to a dog's mobility and overall health, and it's our responsibility to keep them in good condition.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to keeping the paws of the dogs healthy and comfortable.
Healthy Dog Paws vs Unhealthy Dog Paws
The first step in keeping your pup's paws healthy is to be able to recognize the signs of a healthy paw versus an unhealthy one.
Healthy paws should be flexible and have no visible abnormalities such as bumps, lumps, or discoloration. The dog paw pads themselves should be thick and resilient, with no sign of cracking or thinning. Finally, there should be no odor or discharge coming from the paw.
Unhealthy paws, on the other hand, may appear swollen, red, or scaly with peeling skin and cracked paw pads. You may also see signs of infection such as discharge, bleeding, odor, and tenderness to the touch. IN case you notice any of those symptoms, notify dog owner right away.
How to Take care of Dog's Paws?
Step 1: Regularly Check the Paws
It's essential to regularly check the paws of the dogs for any signs of injury, irritation, or infection. This includes checking between the toes, on the pads, and around the nails for cuts, cracks, or swelling. If any issues are detected, it's important to take prompt action to prevent the issue from escalating.
Step 2: Trim the Hair Around the Dog Paws
Long hair around the dog's paws can become tangled or matted, which can cause discomfort or even lead to injury. To keep the dog's paws healthy, it's important to regularly trim the hair around the dog's paw pads, taking care to avoid cutting too close to the skin.
Step 3: Keep the Paws Clean and Dry
Dogs often walk through dirty and wet environments, which can lead to the accumulation of debris, dirt, and bacteria on their paw pads. To prevent infections and other paw-related issues, it's crucial to keep the dog paws clean and dry. This can be achieved by wiping the dog's paws with a damp cloth after each walk, and drying them thoroughly.
Step 4: Paw pads moisturizing - we do not want cracked paws
In order to prevent or treat cracked paws, it is important to moisturise dog's paw pads regularly. We have created The Balm, all-natural nose and palm balm for dog paws, noses and other dry areas.
Step 5: Protect the Paws from Chemicals
Certain chemicals can cause irritation and even harm to dog paws. To keep the paw pads healthy, it's essential to avoid exposing them to harmful chemicals and to clean any chemicals off dog's paws as soon as possible.
Step 6: Provide Regular Paw Massages
In addition to regular dog paw checks, providing regular paw massages can help keep the dog's paws of the dogs healthy and comfortable. This can help increase circulation and promote healing, and it also provides an opportunity to check for any issues that may require veterinary attention.
Most of the dogs love this procedure, and they are sure to stay calm after dog's feet massage.
Step 7: Take care of dog's nails
Regular nail trimming is essential to keep the dog's paws healthy. It can help prevent painful ingrown nails and overgrown nails, both of which can be painful for your pup. This in turn will lead to lots of dog licks which can further irritate the dog's paws. Trim dog's nails regularly and make sure to cut them at an angle so that they don't grow too long or become sharp.
In conclusion, the health of the dog's paws and dog's paw pads in our care is crucial to their overall health and well-being. By following the steps outlined in this guide, we can help keep the dog's paws and dog's paw pads healthy, comfortable, and protected. By being proactive and vigilant, we can ensure the dogs in our care are happy and healthy.
FAQ:
How do I keep dogs paws and paw pads healthy?
As a groomer, one of the best ways to keep dogs' paws healthy is to regularly check their paws for any signs of injury, broken glass, infection or cracked dog paws, trim the hair around their paws, keep their paws clean and dry, recommend proper footwear in certain environments, protect their paw pads from chemicals during dog walks. Also providing pup's paws with regular massages is a great way to get them comfortable with handling their paws.
Additionally, using a high-quality dog paw balm, such as Pride+ Groom's "The Balm," can help moisturize and protect dog's feet. This dog paw balm is made with all natural ingredients and is safe for all dogs (and cats). You can buy it in bulk for added savings and convenience. Regularly using "The Balm" can help keep your dogs' paws healthy and comfortable. It is also a great item to recommend to dog owners to use prior to dog walks during cold weather, hot pavement in the summer, or other rough surfaces that they may encounter. Encourage pet owners to check dog's paws regularly too, including the paw pads and dog's nails.
How to treat dog's paw?
To treat dog's paw, it is important to clean and disinfect any cuts or wounds. You can also apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or coconut oil to help soothe and protect the paw pad especially during a dog walk. If the injury is severe or persistent, it's best to seek veterinary attention. Dog paw problems can be serious and if you notice any open wounds, puss, swelling or if the dog's feet smell foul recommend to the pet owner to attend to the dog's paws immediately with a visit to the vet.
Can I put coconut oil on my dogs paws?
Yes, you can put coconut oil on your dogs paws to help moisturize and protect their skin. And, it's safe for dog licks - remind dog owners to be mindful of excessive licking this could require a visit to the veterinarian. When applying coconut oil, it is important to apply a thin layer, as too much can make their paws slippery and increase the risk of injury.
How to moisturize dog's paws naturally?
To moisturize dog's paws naturally, you can use ingredients such as coconut oil, petroleum jelly, or shea butter. You can also make a paw balm using beeswax, olive oil, and other natural ingredients. It is important to choose ingredients that are safe for your dog and to avoid applying too much, as this can increase the risk of injury. If you're unsure about using a particular ingredient, it's best to consult with your veterinarian.
To save you a hustle, we have created The Balm!
Finally, it is important to check the paws of your dog regularly and keep an eye out for any signs of infection or injury. If they are showing any signs of distress or pain, you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Taking good care of their paws will help ensure that your furry friend stays healthy and active!
WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?
The very first clean beauty brand…for dogs!
PRIDE+GROOM is a female and minority owned all-natural pet grooming company born and bred in New York City. We designed our coat-specific dog shampoos with a light, fresh signature scent that says goodbye to the overwhelming fragrances currently in the dog grooming market. Our packaging and branding humanizes our pet products making them attractive and user friendly.
We offer wholesale pricing for professional use or resale, discover a wide range of premium pet care products, including the softest dog towels, effective dog bath brushes, and wholesale shampoo bottles for a squeaky clean finish at Pride and Groom Pro.
Our company is rooted in our love for dogs and cats, and we’ve put all our energy into creating products that let us care for them, their coats and their skin in a way that is natural, nurturing, and specific. Our formulas are a unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world. Each ingredient has a purpose. Like Marshmallow Root Oil, in our Non-Shedder, helps detangle and nourish those dogs, like doodles, with hair that grows and is prone to matting.
PRIDE+GROOM is deeply committed to giving back to the community. We developed our ONE FUR ALL conditioning shampoo that we have donated to over 1000 shelters around the country. This amounts to over 50,000 needy rescue dogs getting the PRIDE+GROOM treatment before heading to their forever homes for adoption.
