The weather is getting chilly, and that means cold season for humans and their pets alike! Let’s take some time to look at how you can keep your pups healthy during the cooler months by taking great care of their toes and noses.
Care for Paw and Toe Pads
Just walking outside during freezing cold temperatures can spell trouble for your pup’s delicate paw pads. Fortunately, you can provide care and protection for your dog’s paws just like you can for your own feet and hands.
Start with making sure that you keep your pup’s paws properly groomed! Make sure routine grooming includes keeping nails neatly trimmed so that they don’t touch the ground when your dog walks, and also keep the hair between paw pads trimmed to prevent painful matting or tangles.
Take time to moisturize and massage your dog’s paws on days that you trim the nails—or any time you notice excessive dryness or cracking—using pet-safe balm and gentle circular motions with your thumb.
Don’t forget to check your dog’s paws for pebbles, insects, debris or signs of dryness or damage after each walk!
Give your pup’s paws extra protection from snow or ice on the ground by using boots when you’re out on walks in the winter. Or if your dog doesn’t do well with wearing boots, make sure that you take time to wipe down and moisturize its paws after each walk.
Care for Noses
It’s a common myth that a dry nose equates to a sick dog. This isn’t always the case, but a chronically dry nose can interfere with your pup’s ability to smell or become cracked and painful. That’s why it’s important to treat your dog’s dry nose properly!
Start with cleaning your pup’s nose gently with a wet cloth to remove any allergens or irritants. This is sometimes enough to get your pup’s nose feeling moist and healthy again!
If you think your dog is having problems with seasonal allergies or a cold, make an appointment with your vet to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
If your pup is experiencing a consistently dry nose that isn’t a result of allergies or sickness, or has signs of soreness or cracking from dryness, you can moisturize its nose with almond oil or seek a prescription balm or lotion from your vet. Just remember to clean your pup’s nose and apply this frequently, as dogs tend to lick their noses.
Do you need a little extra help with keeping your pup clean and tidy? Visit our website to learn more about Animal America grooming services!
