Paw Care for Dogs

A dog's paws are very sensitive. Many dogs dislike having their paws groomed or worked on, and some have to be muzzled during paw care to prevent injuries to the pet and the owner. Dogs can injure their paws easily because they are exposed to whatever type of terrain the dog is traveling. To keep a dog's paws in optimal condition, pay attention to the nails, pads and hair in the paw area.

  1. Nail Care

    • Keep your dog's nails in good shape by clipping them as needed with nail clippers specifically for dogs. Before you clip, inspect the nail to determine where the quick begins. The quick is the area of the nail closest to the foot. It is highly vascular, meaning that it contains many tiny blood vessels. If the nail is light in color, the quick usually has a pink appearance. Hold the paw off the ground with one hand and clip with the other. Make sure you avoid the quick; clipping into this area will cause discomfort and bleeding. If your dog's nails are too dark for you to see the quick, use extra caution by making successive tiny clips. If you accidentally nick the quick area, apply some styptic powder to stop the bleeding. You usually can find this powder at pet supply stores or at your veterinarian's office.

    Trimming

    • Keep the hair trimmed around the paw area if your dog is a long- or medium-haired breed. Purchase grooming scissors from your local pet store and keep them sharpened. To trim the hair, secure the paw in one hand and trim the hair with the other. Make sure you get the hair around the outside of the paw, as well as the hair that sprouts up from between the pads. This prevents matting, which is important because hair mats can trap foreign objects that can cause abrasions and bruising.

    Treating Paw Injuries

    • If your dog begins to limp or bite at its paw, inspect the paw for culprits. Look for any types of stickers, burrs or briars that may be lodged in the area. Inspect the toenails; sometimes a nail can get caught in an awkward position, causing discomfort. Check between the toes for foreign objects and/or injuries. If your pet has an obvious injury on its paw, and the injury appears to be minor, wash the paw with warm soap and water, apply an antibacterial spray or salve and wrap the paw in a bandage. If the injury is a deep cut, if the paw is swollen, or if you are unsure about what is causing your dog's discomfort, take your pet to your veterinarian.

      Some dogs are prone to dry, cracking skin on their paws. Special balms for paws are available at pet stores. These balms moisturize without damaging the skin on the paw as some moisturizers for humans can. Also, wash and pat dry the paw area if your dog has been walking over gravel or other rough surfaces that may leave particles in and on the paws.