One of the cutest features of any pup, regardless of breed, is its adorable little paws! These soft little pads not only add to a dog’s charm but also play an important role in its health and mobility, making regular paw care essential. Although paws can withstand rough terrain and daily wear, they remain highly sensitive by design. This makes caring for dog paws through all seasons an important part of dog ownership. Puppies especially need early, positive exposure to foot handling, so care can be given when necessary.
The Function of Paws
It’s a shoeless world for a pup, and this makes the daily use of the cushioned surface of a paw deeper than meets the eye. Three layers give your dog’s feet protection, support, and strength. Surprisingly, dogs use their toes to walk on more than the larger pads of their feet. This gives them more control over balance, traction, and knowledge of the landscape. Because paws contain an abundance of sensory receptors, a dog can detect vibrations to sense prey or danger before you do.
The other function of the paw is temperature regulation. Canines have limited sweat glands, and crazy enough, they are located on your puppy’s feet! These sweat glands help to prevent their paws from drying out, cracking, and help them cool down when overheated or stressed. This thermoregulation also helps with traction as they play and exercise. With all these functions on their feet, you can see why paw care is so essential throughout the year.
Spring and Summer Paw Care
As you may have guessed, the higher temperatures of spring and summer kick your pup’s thermoregulation into high gear. Because they only sweat through their toes, dogs mainly pant to cool down. This is your first sign that they are overheating. If this is the case, cool them down slowly by wiping their feet down with a cold towel, offering water, and giving them a shady spot to rest.
It’s important to only take walks or go adventuring with your dog during the cool of the day. However, we know there are times you’d like to take them with you on a family picnic or a day at the beach. To test whether the ground is too hot, place the back of your hand against the surface they’ll be walking on. If you can’t keep your hand down for 5 seconds, then it can cause your pup’s paws to burn.
In these cases, there are a couple of ways to protect their toes. One option is training your pup to wear booties. Not all dogs will tolerate this, so there are paw protecting wax products available too. They also help if your dog’s paws crack. It’s important watch out for limping or excessive licking of their feet. It could mean an injury, or it could mean they have seasonal allergies. Grass allergies are very common in canines, and it’s estimated one third of dogs experience an adverse reaction to grass pollens.
Fall and Winter Paw Care
The cooler temperatures of fall and winter cause your pup to lose heat from their paws, which makes them prone to dryness and cracking. During the coldest months, it’s best to limit outdoor time to potty breaks and focus more on indoor play. There is always the exception to the rule, depending on the breed, of course. Our Bernese Mountain Dogs, for example, love to hang out in the snow! Even though they are more adaptable to the cooler temperatures, paw care is still encouraged.
The same paw protections used in summer are applicable in winter, with the added recommendation of trimming the hair around your pup’s paws. These little hairs often hold moisture that further dry out the paws or freeze and cause discomfort. It’s also good to get in the habit of wiping down their feet after being outdoors, especially if you suspect they’ve been exposed to any deicing chemicals.
No matter the season, clean and moisturized paws will serve your pup well. Regularly trimming their nails will also help them with traction and reduce strain on those cute little toebeans! Handle their feet when necessary care is not needed to help them remain calm when it is. Treats are always helpful too! We hope this information helps keep those adorable little paws healthy all year long.