Paw Care And Paw Protection

Well, it’s Summer now, and for some parts of the country you may be thinking about preparing for Heat, Sun and Warmer temperatures, and in other Southernmost exposures you may still be dealing with Cold.  Either way, we would like to talk to you about the importance of How To Protect your Dog’s Paws in both Hot or Cold temperatures.

Actual Example of What Can Happen To Your Dog’s Paw Pads If Unprotected In Too Hot or Too Cold of Temperatures

Many of you know, and some of you do not know, that a mere 10 seconds of a dog putting a paw to the ground; albeit frozen ground or overheated ground, is equivalent to us humans placing the palm of our hand or bottom of our foot on that same ground. Meaning of course, that if it feels way too Hot or way too Cold for you, it is going to feel the exact same to your precious pooch.  Yes, this is indeed enough to cause tissue damage. So what do we recommend?  Getting your dog measured for a non-decorative, functional type of boot/paw protector from numerous reputable companies such as Ruffwear brand Bark n’ Boots, Hi-Paw, Ultra Paws, Muttluks, Alcott , and many other reputable brands out there. 

*Use the boots for protection; not just against the harsh cold or hot temperatures, but also for paw protection from dangerous and potentially toxic chemicals such as mag chloride, salt, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, burs, thorns, foxtails, and of course mud.  You can use the boots on your regular daily walks and on your hikes and adventures you and your dogs go on together!

If you cannot find a reputable company with a size of boot that fits your pooch, we are actually working on prototypes for own boots, and we would recommend and advocate the use of a product by the name of ‘Musher’s Secret’.  This is a product for cold weather.  We do not advocate its use in extreme heat.

It coats and protects your pet’s paw pads.  Just make sure to apply between the toes and to the dewclaws as well.  * Many owners of sled dog racing teams use it on their teams of Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies to race in such races as the famous Iditarod. * So this product comes highly recommended from someone who knows firsthand.  This wax can also be used on the paw pads of your cat, hooves of your horses, and even the claws of your chickens. * If you are interested in this product, then by all means please [CONTACT US here at https://www.thedoggoddess.com/nominate and we will see about ordering the product for you or putting you in contact of a distributor in your area if you cannot locate it in your area.

*Cold weather or Warm, stay safe out there and of course keep your dogs away from any ‘interesting’ smells such as antifreeze; which has an attractive, sweet smell and of course is deadly if ingested. And please use common sense when out adventuring with your dog and take things like their age, size, health as well as the ‘surface’ they are playing or adventuring on/in into consideration. Surfaces like astroturf, artificial grass, tennis courts have the potential to damage or rip the surface of their paw pads right off.

Of course it makes sense that asphalt due to its chemical make up of gravel and tar and being black in color would attract and retain Heat faster and for a longer duration so you’re really going to have to be Conscious of this while out with your pup. For example, we took our pup to a nearby beachwalk the other day on a very cool, partly cloudy day and found that even in under 65 degrees Fahrenheit, walking on the partially paved asphalt surface for a very short duration ( under 5 minutes) to get from the underground parking lot to the shops proved too hot for both our feet, and her paws so we had to defer the walk by picking her up and going an alternate way in order to get to the cement and grassy areas again. One can only Imagine how HOT this would be if it were any higher in temperature.

Stay tuned for our articles: HIKING YOUR DOG,AND CAMPING WITH YOUR DOG.