Our pets’ paws are just important as any other part on their body. Sometimes we forget to keep them protected/properly take care of them. Below are something to consider:

• In the winter, long hair between the toes can collect “snowballs” these can pull the hair and be quite painful! Salt can wreak havoc on the paw pads themselves causing cracking and painful fissures to form.
• A good way to avoid this is to use boots. There is also paw balms, that you can apply before going outside.
• Summer we still need to be cautious, hot asphalt can cause super painful blistering of their paw pads, sometimes these burns can be so bad they need to be bandaged!
• A pets paws are a major area for heat exchange in our pets, they do not sweat through their coats but if you’ve ever had a stressed out cat in the clinic you will know they leave some pretty sweaty paw prints.
• Making sure to keep nails regularly trimmed is VERY important. Ingrown nails can curl all the way around and INTO the pad! Overgrown nails are also at a higher risk of tearing (ouch) and cracking (double ouch). Overgrown nails also alter the way your pets’ paw hits the ground ruining its natural structure.
• Make sure to regularly handle your pets paws with regular grooming, nail trimming, inspections coupled with positive reinforcement (treats). This makes treating your pets paws, if something DOES go wrong, much easier.

This is a fairly simple and quick post but I just want you all to think and consider it. Proper paw care is an essential part to keeping your pet happy, healthy and pain-free