Your dog’s paws allow him to walk, run, scratch, play, and much more—it’s safe to say that they are an essential part of Fido’s anatomy! Use these tips from a South Miami, FL veterinary professional to keep your dog’s paws healthy for a lifetime.

Regular Paw Checks

Once a week or so, sit down with your dog in a quiet, well-lit area to check over his paws. Look for any obvious wounds, scratches, sores, or anything else that seems out of place. Small objects—pebbles, twigs, bits of plastic or metal—can easily get stuck in between the toes or get embedded into the paw pads; remove such items gently if possible. If they don’t come out easily, don’t force it. Place a call to your vet’s office instead.

Toe Fur Tips

If your dog has longer hair around the toes, you may want to carefully trim down this fur every once in a while. It’s possible for long toe fur to become tangled or matted, especially if your dog gets into something wet. Small objects can also get caught up in long toe hair. Use a small pair of scissors to trim back longer strands, and try waiting until your dog is sleepy to make things a little easier.

Nail Trims

Of course, trimming your dog’s nails is an essential part of good paw care. If nails are allowed to become too long, they can snag in carpets or split painfully. Always use a canine-specific trimmer, and take care only to blunt the tips of each claw. If you clip too far down the nail, you’ll hit the vein that runs into the nail, causing bleeding. It’s best to keep a styptic pen or powder on hand to staunch bleeding in the event that this occurs.

If you don’t feel comfortable trimming your dog’s nails yourself, don’t worry—we’re here to help! Set up an appointment for a quick trim at your vet’s office.

Blisters and Burns

When the Florida sun beats down on asphalt all day, the surface can heat up dramatically. Don’t let your pooch linger on hot pavement, because it can cause painful burns and blisters on your dog’s paw pads. Try walking on cooler concrete or grass instead.

Would you like even more great tips for keeping your dog’s paws in tip-top shape? Call your South Miami, FL animal clinic today to learn more.