How to Help a Dog With Winter Paw Pad Injuries
Dog Paw Injuries, Cracked Dog Foot Pads are Common in Winter
Nov 2, 2008
The dry winter air, sharp shards of ice, and bitter cold can be very tough on a dog's paws and paw pads. The cold winter months are a common time for paw pad injuries like paw pad cuts and split or cracked paw pads.
Fortunately, there are a few measures that pet owners can take to help prevent paw pad injuries in dogs, in addition to healing existing cracks and splits in the dog's tough paw pad skin.
Wash or Wipe Down a Dog's Paws After Every Walk
Once road salt is applied for the first time, dog owners must wash or wipe down the dog's paws upon returning home from a walk or other outing. The salt has a drying effect on the skin, and the paw pads sustain another insult (and more drying) when the dog licks the salt of his paws.
In addition, other synthetic ice melters can be toxic to dogs, so it's always best to wipe down or use a small warm foot bath to rinse the dog's feet after a walk during the winter. A warm, damp washcloth can also be used to thoroughly wipe down each paw and paw pad.
This paw cleansing routine also provides the dog owner with an opportunity to inspect the dog's paw pads for injuries, which are common in the winter as a result of the drying cold's effect on the paws and paw pads. Sharp bits of ice can also tear and cut the dog's paws and paw pads, so inspect each foot pad and between the toes after every walk.
Moisturize the Dog Paws Regularly
The dry, cold winter air is very drying on the skin, including the skin of the paws. A dog's paws are exposed to cold pavement, cold snow, drying road salt and sharp, cold shards of ice - all of which cause drying and cracking of the paw pads.
After washing or wiping down a dog's paws upon returning in from a walk or other outing, massage each of the dog's paw pads with a moisturizing balm. Musher's Secret is known to be one of the best products for healing paw pad injuries like cracks and splitting. The paw pad balm can also be applied before a winter walk to help prevent paw pad damage and drying.
Treat All Paw Pad Injuries Properly and Promptly
When a minor paw pad injury does occur, proper paw care is vital to prevent infection and worsening of the paw pad cut, slice, scrape or crack. The affected paw must be washed with an anti-bacterial soap at least twice a day, disinfected with betadine and then dressed with antibiotic ointment. Bandaging is also routine when a more serious paw pad injury occurs.
For more minor cracks and injuries, coating the foot with an antibiotic cream or ointment (after washing the foot) can help to combat paw pad infections.
Consider Using Protective Dog Footwear Like Dog Booties
Dog booties may look silly and it can take the dog a few days to get used to them, but dog booties are very effective in protecting a dog's feet and paws from the drying cold, road salt and other dangers that face a dog on a winter walk. Dog booties are also very effective in protecting a dog's foot pad while its healing from a prior injury.
Dog booties are available in the dog footwear and apparel section of most pet stores, including Petco and PetSmart. Dog footwear can also be purchased online.
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