May 22nd, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

It may not always seem like the most obvious part of your pet care routine, but it's very important to take care of your puppy's paws. After all, they are his/her primary means of transportation! By giving them a good cleaning and trimming their nails every so often, you'll not only help keep your pup healthy—you'll also be able to identify any potential issues before they become big problems. In this article we'll go over what paws are, why they're important for dogs, how to clean them properly and safely without stressing out you or your pup too much, and how often you should do these things.

What Do We Mean by Puppy Pedicures?

When we say a puppy pedicure, we really mean all manner of care focused on looking after your pooch’s feet, from cleaning and protecting their pads to trimming their nails. Just as well look after our own feet, and they can become uncomfortable if we get blisters or nails become too long – well it is just the dame for your pooch, and just like how treating ourselves to a pedicure can be a relaxing spa treatment taking care of your pups’ paws can also be a bonding experience for you and your pup, who will enjoy being pampered by you!

Paw Pads - What Are They and Why Are They Important?

To better understand the importance of paw care, it might be better to first explain what paw pads are and why they are crucial to our dogs. Paw pads are the soft, thick, cushioned and hairless part of your dog’s foot located on the underside. located at the bottom of your dog's foot. These pads have a wide range of purposes that make them incredibly important:

Protection

They create a barrier between the terrain and the soft tissue and bone of your dog’s foot, and these sturdy pads will help to protect against rough terrain, varying temperatures and other potential hazards – they are however not invincible which is why it is important to take care of them to ensure they can keep doing their job.

Shock Absorption:

The fatty tissue inside your dog’s pads will also act as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact from each step, skip or jump that your dog makes in order o protect their joints from stress or injury. After all most dogs love to sprint and play so without this protection their joints can become weakened over time.

Traction:

The texture also helps to create traction making it easier for your dog to walk and climb over a wide range of terrains including grass, dirt or smooth indoor flooring.

Moisture control:

Dogs perspire through their paw pads, which helps to cool them down during hot weather these sweat glands can also help to keep pads moisturised and prevent them from cracking however these will sometimes need a little help.

Sensory perception:

Your pup’s paw pads contain a significant number of nerve endings that provide dogs with sensory information about their surroundings that helps them gauge the texture and temperature, and even detect vibrations, allowing them to adapt their movements accordingly.

How Do I Take Care of My Dogs Paws?

In order to take care of your pup’s paws they need to be regularly cleaned, making sure to remove any debris that may be stuck on them and treating any cuts that appear in order to prevent infections. You can also take extra measures to ensure their pads stay moisturised by using specialised products. Perhaps the most important aspect of taking care of your dog’s paws is to ensure you are cutting their nails.

What should I use for cleaning my puppy's paws?

To clean your dog’s paws you can simply use their normal shampoo, ensuring this is designed especially for use on dogs, just be sure to take the time to pay extra attention to their paws, removing any dirt from in between their toes and the small tufts of fur in between their pads, be sure to use warm water as this will be more comfortable for both you and your furry friend, be sure to thoroughly dry their paws by patting them dry with a towel. If you notice any debris such as twigs, stone or grass stuck in between toes or pads use a tweezer to gently remove it.

If your pup suffers from dry cracked pads then gently apply moisturiser to help restore them. You should avoid using human moisturisers as these will often be perfumed or contain ingredients that can be dangerous if consumed. Buy a product specifically designed for use on their paws or you can use more natural methods such as coconut oil or shea butter.

Remember while cleaning and checking your dog’s paws, if you notice anything out of the ordinary such as swelling, inflammation or signs of infection to contact your vet to seek advice.

How often should you clean your pup's paws?

It is best to clean their paws every time they come into contact with dirt or after each walk. Do not worry this doesn’t mean you have to bathe your dog every time, you can simply use a cloth and warm water to freshen their paws between each bath, however, be sure to do a full clean every time you bathe them which should be done roughly once a month.

Take Care of Their Nails

Another important aspect of paw care is likely one you are more familiar with and that is the importance of keeping your dog’s nails trimmed. If left to grow on their own they can be uncomfortable or even painful for dogs. When left to grow for too long they can curl or grow back into their pads piercing them and making it difficult to walk and run. They can also affect their posture forcing the dog's toes to splay out, leading to an uneven distribution of weight on the feet which can have a long-term effect on their movement and potentially lead to joint and musculoskeletal problems.

How to Cut Their Nails

Nail clipping is a common practice for most pet owners, but it can be tricky to get right. Here are some tips and tricks to make the process easier:

Before you begin, make sure your puppy has clean paws. If they have been playing outside in the dirt or mud, it's best to wash their paws first. You can use warm water mixed with soap or just plain old baby wipes if you don't want them getting wet!

Once their paws are clean and dry, hold one paw at a time between both hands while gently squeezing out any excess moisture from underneath their nails using gentle pressure from your thumbs (this helps prevent splintering).

Now comes the fun part! Using sharp scissors or clippers made specifically for pets' nails, cut off only as much of each nail as necessary this should not be further past the natural curve of their nails, cutting too short risks cutting the quick – this is a soft cuticle that contains lots of blood vessels and cause bleeding and may cause some discomfort. If you do not feel comfortable cutting your dog’s nails then we advise taking them to a groomer rather than leaving them be.

How often should I Cut Nails?

As a rule of thumb, you should cut your dog’s nails every 3-4 weeks. It’s good practice to get into creating a grooming routine, that way you can bathe them, trim their nails and tend to their paw pads in one go.

Other Ways to Protecting Their Paws

There are a few other precautions you can take in order to better take care of their paws such as:

Don’t walk your dog in high temperatures - while their paws offer protection, this has its limits. As a general rule of thumb if you cannot comfortably place your hand on the ground without being too hot then you should not walk your dog on this surface.

Don't let him walk on ice or snow without boots. On the other side of the spectrum, it is also important to make sure you do not let them walk on surfaces that are too cold either. It can cause discomfort and damage to their paws, snow and ice can also ball up and become stuck in their fur and pads increasing the risk of frostbite. Be sure to wash and remove snow to warm paws or you can even get boots to help protect their paws too.

We hope this article has helped you understand how important it is to take care of your pup’s paws and nails and some tips to get started. If you are ever unsure or feel uncomfortable grooming your pup then seek advice from a groomer, likewise do not hesitate to get any abnormalities checked out by your vet.