Proper care for your dog’s paws. How to prevent and treat cracked dog paws and yeast overgrowth.

Why is it important to care for your dog’s paws?

Your dog’s paws need regular care just like your hands, feet and skin do. Keeping your dog’s paws moisturised and healthy will prevent them from excessively drying out which can lead to cracking and infection. Good paw health can keep yeast overgrowths at bay. Environmental factors like walking on cold or hot surfaces can be extremely damaging to your dog’s paws so it is always a good idea to keep them in tip top condition. 

How to care for your dog’s paws.

Grooming isn’t just about washing and brushing you also need to do regular checks on paws and ears. Getting you dog used to grooming at an early age will make it a better experience and can lead to some quality time together.

1. Protect your dog’s paws from the environment.
Both the summer and winter months can take their toll on your dog’s paws. Make sure not to walk your dog in the heat of summer and keep an eye on them in winter, just like our hands their paws can dry out a lot in the winter months. As a preventative you can use our Tips & Toes paw balm 2-3 times per week to keep them hydrated and nourished.

2. Keep the paws moisturised and massage.
Spa days for dog’s paws are not just for a pampering session, keeping your dog’s paws moisturised will keep them more supple and less prone to injury or cracking. Massaging helps to stimulate circulation to the paws you can gently rub our Tips & Toes balm in a circular motion and in between the paw pads

3. Watch out for excessive chewing or licking
If your dog is licking or chewing its paws excessively it can be for a couple of reasons. First do a paw check for foreign objects and if necessary clear out and give a wipe down, if there is sign of abrasions or small cuts you can apply our Tips & Toes balm. If there does not seem to be an irritant it could be a sign of a yeast overgrowth. Give your dog’s paws a soak in a 50/50 solution of good quality apple cider vinegar (with the mother) and water, dry thoroughly and apply our Tips & Toes balm, to stop the cycle of constant licking (which can make the yeast overgrowth worse) you can apply our balm and then put your pup in dog socks overnight.

4. Keep the nails trimmed
Your dog’s nails shouldn’t touch the ground when they walk, if you hear clicking then it’s a sure sign that a trim is required.

5. Regularly check your dog’s paws.
Small rocks, dirt and twigs can get stuck between your dog’s paws and cause discomfort. Make sure to do regular checks to keep them clean.

6. Trim the hair between the paw pads
The hair between the pads on you dog’ feet can become matted and painful. Regularly brush it out (especially if you have a long-haired dog) and keep it trimmed to the same length as the pads.

Doing these regular checks on your dog’s paws will ensure that they are happy and healthy and living their best life.