If you consider protecting your dog’s feet, you have come to the right place. As a Doodle dog owner, you know ways to protect your Doodle Dogs feet all year round to keep them happy.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about protecting your Doodle dog’s feet all year round. Keep reading to learn more.
Your dog’s paws allow them to play, chase, run, walk, and jump. Foot care is just as critical to dogs as it is to humans.
While your furry friend’s paws are resilient and robust, they still need regular care and maintenance.
Grooming your dog’s pads and nails ensures that they do not experience any infections or irritations that could make it difficult for them to walk or play comfortably.
For many Doodle dogs with hair growing thick between their paw pads, especially long-haired and silk-haired dog breeds, this excess hair can cause many problems.
It can cause reduced traction on slippery surfaces, leading to falls, slips, and injuries. Long hair on the feet tends to collect debris and dirt, which can be tracked in the house.
A dog’s feet can be delicate and sensitive. Some dogs may not want their feet handled, especially if they have sore paw pads from mats or infection between the toes, causing pain when handled.
Also, it is not uncommon for your furry friend to have accidentally had their nails cut too short in the past, which is very painful.
These reasons can cause your furry friend to be uncooperative and uncomfortable touching their feet. Therefore, grooming your dog’s feet can be challenging, especially if you are a beginner.
Wipe Off the Paws in Winter
Snow, ice, salt, and other chemicals can harm your dog’s feet. Wiping down your Doodle dog’s paws right after walking ensures you remove any ice, snow, or salt that could irritate.
You can use a towel to wipe off snow and ice. If your furry friend trudged through ice melt, you would need to thoroughly clean to remove all potential toxins.
A warm bath focussed on your dog’s paws can help remove any chemicals on their paws post-winter walk.
Watch Out for Ice Patches
Generally, Doodles are playful dogs. While their playful nature is good for your kids, it can also be a drawback.
Your furry friend may love to play outside in the wintertime, but their exuberance could lead to pain if you do not keep an eye on them.
Dogs can flip and fall just like humans. Ice can have sharp edges that can cut your dog’s paws.
Protect Your Doodle Dog’s Paws With Boots
A paw pad injury can be excruciating for your furry friend, whether from cutting a pad while on a hike.
Blistering and burning from walking on hot floor suitcases, ice build-up between the dog’s pads, or ripping a paw pad during excessive play and running.
One of the best ways to protect your Doodle’s paw pads from wear and tear is to have them wear booties whenever they are in an environment that could damage their feet.
Dog boots are available in various sizes. Therefore, whether you have a Toy, Mini, or Standard Doodle, there will always be a bootie that fits your furry friend.
Introducing booties slowly with some desensitization techniques is recommended to help your Doodle dog feel less stressed by their new kicks and more comfortable moving about in them.
If you plan to go out into the snow with your furry friend, put snow booties on them. This will protect their paws from ice, cold, and salt.
If your furry friend is uncomfortable with boots, foot wax can also be a great option. However, foot wax can be trickier because it wears off and might be put on improperly.
Watch the Clock in Cold Weather
As with human beings, your furry friend should not stay out in the cold for too long. Too much cold and moisture can lead to frostbite, affecting their paws and other body parts.
However, frostbite will not be an issue if you monitor the time. If the weather is too cold, you should only allow your Doodle dog to run in the snow briefly.
Cold temperatures are generally safe if your furry friend does not overstay in the snow.
Be Cautious of Hot Asphalt
While summer often means more outside time for pets, there are many paw hazards to consider when the temperature rises.
If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is equally too hot for your dog’s paw pads. Surfaces like asphalt can soak up the sun.
You should avoid walking your furry friend on paved floor surfaces when it is too hot. Doodle dogs that walk on hot floor surfaces can be at risk for pad burns.
Pad burns in dogs can lead to extreme pain, blistering, and tissue loss. Your furry friend can overstay on hot surfaces even if you are careful.
Therefore, you should check their paws for burns from time to time. The common signs of pad burns include bleeding, limping, a discolored pad, and licking the paw.
Take Walks During Cooler Times
You should take your furry friend out for a walk during cooler times. The summer heat might mean it is time to reevaluate your regular walking schedule.
One that is more comfortable for you and your furry friend. Therefore, you should take walks with your dog in the morning or evening when it is not very hot.
You should keep the walks short and provide your Doodle dog with clean drinking water. In addition, you will need to supplement with indoor playtime.
Examine Your Dog’s Paws After Walks
While hiking with your furry friend is great warm-weather activity, unexpected objects, and rough terrain might make the whole experience a dangerous one.
Watching where your dog is walking can be helpful, but sometimes they can step on dangerous things like glass that can lacerate their paw pads or the paws themselves.
When walking, your dog can also get sharp objects and thorns stuck in their paws. If these objects are deeply embedded, you will need a qualified vet to sedate your furry friend to remove them safely.
Therefore, it is essential to examine your dog’s paws after walks. If you notice their paws bleeding, you should apply pressure to stop them while arranging for vet care.
Trim the Nails
As with human beings, your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. How often their nails need to be trimmed will depend on your dog’s breed and lifestyle.
Longer nails can split and get torn easily, something that can cause severe pain. A torn nail can also be susceptible to various infections.
Common Dog Paw Issues
Many dog owners neglect dog paw health, but it should not be. When your dog starts limping or licking a paw, chances are something is going on with its paw pads.
Other common symptoms of dog paw issues include red and inflamed paws, lesions, hair loss, bleeding, foul smell, ulcers with scabbing and blisters, and discharge.
The following are the common dog paw issues.
- Nail issues
- Dry and cracked paw pads
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Burns and blisters
- Allergies
- Parasites
- Cuts and scratches
- Cysts and growth
Conclusion
Protecting your Doodle dog’s feet will ensure your furry friend is comfortable and happy. Doodles are energetic and active dogs, so they need healthy feet to walk around comfortably.
Therefore, it is essential to keep your dog’s paws healthy by checking them regularly, moisturizing them, and ensuring that they are protected.