How to Moisturize a Dog's Pads

The hard, scaly pads on the bottoms of a dog's feet insulate the feet against exposure to heat and cold, protect them from injury when walking on hard, rough surfaces, and control the amount of pressure placed on bone, muscles and soft tissues by the dog's weight. The pads can become dry and cracked over time as the dog ages, cause pain, and serve as a breeding ground for potential skin infections. An important part of keeping your dog healthy, taking care of its feet needs to be included in your pet health care program.

Things You'll Need

  • Aloe-free baby wipes
  • Clean towel
  • Scissors or dog clippers
  • Petroleum jelly or commercially prepared canine foot pad moisturizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your dog in your lap or sit it in front of you on the floor and gently pick up one of its front feet.

    • 2

      Turn the foot over so that you have a clear view of the pads.

    • 3

      Clean all of the debris from the underside of the foot using your baby wipes, ensuring that any dried dirt has been removed from between the pads and toes.

    • 4

      Dry the pads and hair thoroughly with a clean towel.

    • 5

      Trim any excess hair between the pads using a pair of scissors or dog clippers. This allows your dog to get a good grip of the ground surface without slipping on unwanted hair.

    • 6

      Dip your finger into the petroleum jelly or commercial dog pad moisturizer and pick up a tiny amount of the gel. Gently begin working the moisturizer into the pads of your dog's foot using a circular motion. Rub the gel in between the toes and up around each of the pads until the moisturizer is absorbed.

    • 7

      Continue this procedure on the other three feet.