The pads of your dog’s paws are designed to protect their feet; but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t sensitive or that they don’t need to be cared for and protected. Your pet’s paws can tell you much about its health and general well-being.
Check your pet’s pads regularly, particularly if you notice he or she is slipping on surfaces more often than normal or lifting a foot to avoid putting pressure on the paw pad. Layers of skin on your pet’s paw pads can be damaged from rough surfaces or from objects such as pebbles or thorns scraping them or getting lodged in or underneath the pads or between the toes.
These injuries may not slow your pet down right away and he may keep running or walking on the foot, causing further damage. Paw injuries can take time to heal, but if you find any cuts you can expedite the healing process by keeping them clean and applying an antibiotic cream or salve and covering the foot with a sock. If you suspect a more serious scrape or cut that looks infected or swollen you’ll want to see your vet.
It is a good idea to clean your pet’s paws whenever you come back from a trip to the beach or mountains, or anywhere that foreign objects could scrape your pet’s paws or get lodged in their feet or between their toes.
Check the temperature
Always remember that hot surfaces are extremely painful and damaging to a pet’s paws. Paw burns can be deadly for animals so always pay close attention to the temperatures and environment in which your dog or cat is playing, whether at the beach, a park or on the pavement in your yard or neighborhood.
You can easily check the temperature of a surface by touching it. If a surface is too hot for your hand then your pet shouldn’t be walking on it.
Boots are the best
Most pet stores now carry pet shoes or booties to cover and protect the paws. Although your dog or cat may not be eager to wear these, it is important to protect their paws when outdoors in hot and cold temperatures to avoid damage from heat or ice. By putting the boots on regularly, your pet will become more accustomed to wearing them.
Your pet’s paws are amazing — not only are they his or her main source of transportation, but they are also sensitive enough to help them with agility and balance. It’s important to check their paws regularly and to make sure that you avoid surfaces that could potentially damage their pads and paws.
Waggle Pet Temperature Monitor
Waggle’s RV Pet Temperature Monitor can monitor your pet’s environment temperature in real-time whether in an RV, car, or at home. The device sends an automated SMS/text message or email alert when temperatures in your pet’s environment become too hot or too cold. With the Waggle monitor you can be alerted, and not alarmed, about your pet’s complete protection.
