Re: Dry Paws

In Reply to: Dry Paws
Category:   Medical
Posted by:  Dave
Posted on:  February 27, 2003 at 07:48:56

: Is there any sort of ointment or lotion that can be put on my dog's paws? They are very dry and they are starting to crack and get scaley.

: I would also like to thank you for the advice when we moved. Everything went smoothly and my JRT and Westie have settled in nicely to their new home.

: Dave

Response:

Hi Dave,

Glad to hear your move went well and everyone is happy!

As far as the dry paw pads, you can put lotion on them, anything that you might use will work or you can get some Vitamin E and apply that to them (you can even find that now in liquid form) but the trick will be keeping your pups from licking off the lotion.

I have read that if you apply the lotion right before dinner time, your dogs should be so busy eating they won't be thinking about licking off the lotion ... at least for a little while and this should at least help to let the lotion soak in a bit.

I would also suggest if using this method to also use one of our tips for making your dog eat their meal slower (giving that lotion a real chance). You can either place a large rock/stone in each bowl or what I do very successfully is separate each dog to a different area of the kitchen and then scatter their kibble out on the floor (you'll have to stand and supervise though otherwise someone who finishes first might want to "help" the other one find its food lol). This slows my guys down considerably when they eat.

If the pads on their paws are highly callused you might want to take them to the vet and have the callus trimmed.

So break out the Lubriderm or whatever and get those paws softened!