Paw pad care

Why is it important to check your dog’s paw pads throughout the year?

Dogs’ paw pads are exposed to numerous harsh factors in all seasons: in towns, tarmac is abrasive and causes the paw pads to wear more quickly. In the countryside, dogs can injure themselves more easily when walking off the lead (sharp stones, broken glass, thorns, etc.). Debris, gravel, etc. can build up between the paw pads, causing discomfort or minor wounds.

In winter, cold weather and snow dry out the paw pads, causing painful cracks.

In summer, hot weather can be very dangerous: tarmac and sand heat up very quickly and can burn your dog, so it’s best to walk him in the coolest hours of the day (morning and evening). Furthermore, in summer, dogs often come into contact with “spikelets”, small pointed grass seeds which can become lodged between the toes and penetrate the skin, causing abscesses.

It is thus essential to inspect your pet’s paw pads regularly to make sure there are no foreign bodies or wounds.

Paw pads can also be more vulnerable in certain situations: puppies, dogs with a thinner horny layer (city dogs, animals prone to fragile paw pads).

It is thus advisable to protect your dog’s paw pads all year long, not only in summer or winter.