Many dog owners care a lot about the dog getting a proper food, being trained properly, ventilated enough and generally healthy and well, but the dog's paws are at least as important to keep in mind when talking about good health. The dog's paws must be worn throughout life and unlike us humans, most dogs do not wear shoes. Salt and ice on the roads in winter, the hot asphalt in summer, sharp objects etc. are all factors that challenge the dog's paws all year round. Therefore, paw wax can be a perfect solution when you have to take care of the dog's paws and at the same time care for them against drying out.
Common Paw Problems in Dogs
Burns of the dog's paws are often seen in the summer when the asphalt is too hot for the dog to walk on it. Unfortunately, it is the case that the dear animals are not much for showing pain, so in some cases the damage is only discovered when the extent of it has become too great. Burns can cause fire blisters which in some cases are so fluid-filled that they burst, furthermore inflammation and infection can form. It is extremely painful for the dog as the paws have many sensory nerves in them. Therefore, it is important that the dog primarily stays on grass when temperatures rise in the late 20s of summer. Therefore, always check your dog's paws after the walk and keep an eye out for lameness or licking more on the paws than usual. A rule of thumb is if the asphalt is too hot for you to hold your back on it for 5 seconds,
Frostbite which is tissue damage occurs when the dog is out in temperatures below freezing. The symptoms are as with burning both blisters, sores, pain, redness and swelling. When it is cold, the body reduces the blood flow to the outer parts of the body, including the paws, tail tip, ears and snout. Due to the reduced blood flow, the risk of frostbite is therefore greater, as the tissues of the outer areas therefore lack oxygen and heat. In Denmark, however, temperatures do not drop as far in winter as in other countries, but the wind can easily be to blame for frostbite. The wind helps to make the cold feel colder, which results in the body lowering the blood flow even more so that the extremes do not get the optimal oxygen and heat supplied as is needed in the cold weather. So even though it's only a few degrees below zero in the winter,
Salt in the paws is especially a big problem for dogs who live in urban areas where there is more traffic. The road salt can be corrosive and dry out dogs' paws and cracks and wounds can occur so that infections can form, which is extremely painful for the dog. It is like us humans getting salt in a wound or squeezing a lemon with a wound on our finger, which no one wants. Again, this is most often only discovered when the injury has occurred, which is why it is important to rinse dogs' paws in cold water after the walk.
Bacterial and fungal infections can occur for various reasons, including if the dog is very much in a wet environment such as on the beach and / or in the woods, salt in the winter which can make the dog lick more on its paws and thereby create a humid environment and by allergies which means that the dog also licks a lot in the paws. Some fungi thrive best in humid and hot environments, which is why fungal infections are most often seen in paws between the foot pads. The symptoms are that the dog licks its paws, the skin is red, hot and swollen, the dog will not touch the paws, the paws smell sour and in the worst case, small red blisters can be seen. It is therefore important that the paws are kept as dry and clean as possible.
How do I Protect my Dog's Paws?
Common to the above paw problems is that they can easily be prevented with the right care. By lubricating the paws with a proper paw wax, you can avoid drying out which can cause wounds and thereby make the foot pads more resistant and soft. Cracked paws can result in bacterial and fungal infections, so paw wax is also preventative for this. However, always remember to keep dogs' paws dry and clean after each walk so that the paws are not damp for too long at a time. Also remember to trim the fur on the paws and between the foot pads, as fur helps to collect dirt and dung and makes it difficult for the moisture to disappear.
Musher's Secret paw wax for example, is a 100% natural and allergy-friendly product which protects that paws all year round. The wax forms a protective barrier on paws and between foot pads shortly after application and therefore protects and prevents against salt, ice, sand, burning on hot asphalt, freezing in winter, bacteria etc. while nurturing and softening the foot pads. It can thus be used all year round and allows the skin to breathe so that moisture can penetrate away, while at the same time not staining carpets and furniture. Apply wax 5-10 min. before the walk, or also use it indoors as a care for dry paws.
