There’s so much that goes into taking care of a puppy, but Petland is here to make things simple!
So, you've finally decided to buy a dog from Petland and your puppy is the newest member of your family. For sure you did your research and purchased food, a crate, puppy pillows, toys and the like, but there are some things that you'll inevitably forget and that's okay! Here at Petland, we want to cover all of the bases for caring for your puppy. One of the cutest, but often overlooked, body parts of puppies are their paws!
Here are 5 ways to protect dog paws:
1. Winter is here!
Your puppy's paws may be affected by the cold weather, causing painful paws. Try moisturizing your puppy's paws regularly for relief. Take this time to pamper your puppy! They'll enjoy it and your bond will be deepened. With icy and snowy grounds, home owners are sprinkling various melting products. Use wet wipes to remove the chemicals your pup came in contact with. For your personal usage, purchase "pet friendly" ice melting products. They are safe to use around your puppy, however, still be sure to monitor the contact. Lastly, purchase some winter booties for your pup. It will take them some time to get used to walking in them, and you'll surely be entertained, but they'll protect your dog's paws greatly.
2. Summer care is necessary, too.
For similar reasons as winter care, you will want to purchase summer booties to protect their paws from hot grounds. Moisturizing your pup's paws aids greatly in their protection. Use the grass or a shaded area as much as possible on particularly hotter days. Use wipes to cool and cleanse them.
3. Nails should be kept trimmed.
It is so important to keep your dog's nails trimmed. Long nails can cause injuries and discomfort. You can purchase clippers at Petland or have it done professionally. It's a personal choice. Some people take their pets to a professional, because they don't feel comfortable doing it themselves. This is especially true for with dogs with dark nails or dewclaws. The quick of the nail is nearly invisible and if cut can lead to bleeding. There are clippers especially made to detect the quick, allowing for a pain free and accurate cut.
4. Hair should be neatly groomed.
By keeping the paw hair neatly groomed, it can prevent matting and tangling. The long paw hairs can get caught in the nails causing pain. Long hair also holds more germs that even wipes can't clean. In between grooming appointments, use small scissors to keep the areas short and sweet and neat!
5. Stay alert.
Keep your eyes open for where you're walking. Be aware of large twigs, fallen branches, or broken glass. There's a myriad of things on the ground that can be harmful to your dog's paws. We can prevent injury by staying alert of your dog's surroundings.