How to Care For Your Dog's Feet and Save on Vet Bills Down the Line

Even though it may be an obvious fact, dogs have four feet. These four feet have no protection. As the caregivers for our companions, we need to take special care of our pets feet to ensure their pads do not become over-calloused or tender.

Be careful not to overexercise your pet, ensuring that they do not get blisters or split pads. Exercise should start slowly and increase gradually. It is not a wise idea to exercise your dog by forcing it to run alongside a bicycle or car, as you cannot readily check for exhaustion or foot problems. Your exercise program should end by checking the condition of your pets feet.

Grooming is an essential part of the care of our pets feet. Ensure your dog gets it's nails clipped regularly. Overgrown nails will curl into the dogs pads. Nails can also split if not clipped. Long nails can also cause a dog's feet to spread or splay. Trimming the hair around the pads can also reduce the amount debris that can get lodged between the pads which will cause injury.

After walks or exercise run your fingers over and between the pads checking for stuck materials such as rocks, gum, thorns, glass, impacted snow/ice, etc. Also check for sore spots. As you get to know your dog, check for spreading or splaying. In older dogs conditions such as arthritis may cause splaying.

At certain times of the year there may be bio-hazards on the ground from people using fertilizers, weed killers, or chemicals used for ice or snow removal. It may be wise to wash your dogs feet with warm water and baking soda regularly after your walk or exercise period.

If your pets feet are sore, reduce exercise and bathe the feet. If the condition persists consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pets feet are their means of mobility.

Terrie Simpson has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.