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Paw care for dogs: That’s why it’s important and that’s how it works
When it comes to caring for their paws, dogs depend on their human counterparts
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Regular paw care should consist of cutting and filing the claws and clipping the hair between the pads. Read here why this is the case and how to properly care for your four-legged friend’s paws.
Your dog’s paw health is important and should be part of a regular routine in everyday life. Dog paws not only protect your four-legged friend from stones, foreign objects and rough ground, but the callus also ensures good traction. Dogs these days move too often on soft ground, so the claws are rarely exposed to natural abrasion. Some dogs also grow hair between the pads of their paws, which can prevent the dog from walking if it grows too long. What you have to pay attention to when caring for your dog’s paws and which utensils are helpful is explained below.
This will tell you that paw care is necessary
If your dog holds its paws at a slight angle when sitting or walking, or if you hear clicking noises on hard ground, you should take care of the paws. If your dog often slips, it may be because the hair on its paws is too long. Your dog’s claws should not touch the ground, or only lightly, when standing. Dogs grow hair too, so you need to keep an eye on the hair on the paws and in the spaces between the paw pads. Once hair hangs over the paws, it should be trimmed to the level of the claws. The same applies to the spaces between the balls of the balls, so that the hair does not become matted there and allow the dog to slip.
Paw care for dogs: how it works
Nail clipping requires some practice. You need a steady hand and patience. If this is your first time clipping your nails or you are unsure, consult your vet or groomer for advice. It is best to start with the hair that hangs over the paw and in the spaces between the pads. Use scissors with rounded ends to avoid injuries.
When it comes to clipping claws, it is important not to cut off too much, as you could injure your dog. Shorten the claw about two to three millimeters below the end of the vessel. Unless your dog’s nails are pigmented, you can see the blood vessels inside. A flashlight is also helpful for this, with which you can shine through the claw. If you still don’t see anything, it doesn’t matter. Just be careful and slowly approach the correct length of the claws. With a little practice, it is easier for humans and animals to master the procedure.
Tip: As a beginner, use a claw grinder instead of claw pliers. In this way you prevent the danger of shortening the claws too much. The claw grinder makes it possible to work millimeter by millimeter while being particularly careful.
Checklist: These utensils are useful
Paw care for dogs in winter
In winter, you should keep a close eye on your dog’s paws. Snow, ice, loose gravel and road salt can damage sensitive dog paws, making paw care even more important during the cold season. If the paws are particularly stressed, you can use paw balm, which is supposed to provide moisture and protect the paws from external influences.
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