Paw care for dogs – The best tips

In winter, our dogs' paws are exposed to particular dangers: ice, snow, road salt and grit can lead to fine cracks.
What you need to know about proper paw care for dogs and how you can make your own paw balm? Read here!

Dogs love snow

Many dogs love snow. For puppies, the white splendor is a new world to explore, while adult dogs already know exactly how much fun it can be. And even older dogs are often tempted to take another joyful sprint through the snow. What exactly the fascination for dogs is can only be guessed at. Perhaps the snow covers up the countless scents and makes the search all the more interesting. At least in winter it is typical for dogs to stick their heads in the snow. The next moment they dash off like a whirlwind.

But cold, ice and snow canleave marks onthe paws and put a lot of strain on them , so take plenty of time to groom your dog's paws, especially in winter.

Paw care for dogs: what dangers exist

Dogs have the most direct contact with their environment through their paws. This primarily concerns the pads, but also the claws and the hair between the pads. It is important to pay regular attention to all of them, because without care, problems can arise sooner or later:

1. If the claws are too long, the resulting pressure pain can lead to misalignment of both the claws and the legs.
2. If the hair between the pads is too long, it can become matted and increase the risk of slipping on a slippery floor. Outside in the snow, it can also cause lumps of snow to form between the toes more quickly.
3. If the pads are dry and brittle, small cracks can form which cause pain, especially in combination with ice, road salt and grit. The same applies if the dog runs over hot asphalt in summer or steps into a shard or thorn.

We recommend the following as basic equipment for regular paw care

• claw scissors
• a claw dart
• scissors to trim the hair between the pads

How can dog paw problems be recognized?

There are various signs that can help you recognize that your dog has a problem with its paws. For example, if you hear a clacking sound when the dog walks over a slippery floor, it is probably time to cut its claws. This will also reduce the risk of slipping. This can also be caused by excessively long hair between the pads. Simply cut these off flush, which also reduces the risk of small lumps of snow forming between the pads.

If small lumps of snow have formed, the dog will lift its paw and chew or lick it intensively. Our four-legged friends show similar behaviour when they come into contact with road salt. Even the tiniest cracks can cause salt to penetrate and lead to a burning sensation in the bale.

8 tips for dog paw care

1. Paw care for dogs includes not only the pads, but also the claws. How often do I need to trim my dog's nails? They should be trimmed as soon as they touch the ground. Also make sure you don't cut them too deeply, as this can cause bleeding. It is also possible to have your four-legged friend's claws trimmed by a vet.
2. The hair growth on our dogs' paws varies greatly. If the hair is too long, it should be cut off. In winter, this reduces the risk of snow clumps forming between the toes.
3. Dog paw pads are around 50 times thicker than the rest of the dog's skin. Nevertheless, they can be damaged by cold or heat, as well as by mechanical influences such as stones, thorns or liquid substances,which is why the paws should be checked regularly.
4. You should always have a clear cut in the paw pad examined by a vet, as only a vet can assess whether deeper tissue has been damaged.
5. You can treat brittle pads yourself. Vaseline and milking grease are not suitable for this, as they are made from mineral oil. Paw cream for dogs is more suitable .
6. In snow and ice, it is advisable to apply cream to your dog's paws before going for a walk. Only use special paw creams for dogs.
7. What paw care should look like after a walk depends on the circumstances on the way. If the walk has taken you through the city and it can be assumed that the dog has come into contact with road salt, then the paws should be washed with lukewarm water. It is then advisable to dry the paws thoroughly to prevent the formation of a moist environment in which pathogens can spread more easily.
8. As soon as the paws are dry, you can easily apply another thin layer of paw cream. This has the same effect as applying cream to the hands after washing them. It moisturizes the skin and keeps it supple.
   
   

Make your own paw balm - for well-groomed dog paws

Would you like to make your own paw balm for your four-legged friend? You only need a few ingredients for our DIY paw balm - it's quick and easy to make!

Ingredients for a small jar of paw balm:

• 10 g beeswax
• 2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers
• 70 g organic coconut oil
• 1 tbsp almond oil
• Small jar with screw cap

Step 1: Weigh out about 70 g of coconut oil and melt in a saucepan at a low temperature.

Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers to the melted coconut oil and leave to infuse in the pan at a low temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Sieve the chamomile flowers and return the oil to the pan.

Step 4: Add 10 g beeswax to the oil in the pan and allow to melt, stirring briefly.

Step 5: Add 1 tablespoon of almond oil and stir again.

Step 6: Pour the mixture into a jar, leave to cool and screw on the lid.

The paw balm should be stored in a cool place away from light. Make sure that the opened paw balm is not contaminated during use.

You can apply the DIY paw balm to your dog's paws before and after going for a walk. This keeps them protected and soft! To do this, first warm the paw balm a little in the palms of your hands and then massage it into the clean paw.

We wish owners and dogs lots of fun with natural paw care!

Advantages of using a dog paw cream

Our dogs' paws are susceptible to varying degrees of damage. If you know that your four-legged friend often has problems, your dog's paw care should be carried out very carefully. This means that in winter it is best to apply paw cream to your dog's paws once a day or even before every walk. This gives the pads good protection against moisture, cold and road salt. For dog sledders, this is a matter of course before every outing.

Tip: When grooming your dog, don't just think about its coat, but also take a regular look at its paws . They are used in all weathers and need to be cared for in the case of susceptible dogs.