Just as we can crack our hands when temperatures drop a lot, dogs can suffer the same wounds in their pads. That's why it's very important that you take care of them and protect them!
Effects of cold on dog pads
When temperatures drop, dry cold can cause our pets' pads to dry out more than the bill. This will cause cracks and wounds to emerge, which if they don't heal well could end up in an infection.
Remember that they walk on their pads. Imagine that you are going barefoot and wounded in your feet... think how bad you would have! That's why you have to protect your hairy hair.
Yes, it is true that the tissue that forms the dog pads is not as sensitive as our skin. It's much stronger, but as you walk on it you wear out. If we add to that the dryness of the environment, things get complicated.
When your dog has a wound on its pads it becomes a big focus of garbage infections that can drag, fungi, etc. Besides, it's a lot of pain for you! So take note, let's give you a few tips to take care of your dog!
Tips to protect pads from the cold
One of the basic tips to keep you can pass from suffering in winter is to keep them hydrated to combat dry cold. There are special creams for this; you can consult with your veterinarian.
On the other hand, the daily physical exercise, necessary for all areas of canine health, will also help you strengthen the area, hardening the pads.
You can also take note of these general tips that will help you keep your hairy pads always fine.
After each ride, check that you don't have anything nailed to them. If there are any spikes, for example, remove it immediately.
Wash your paws when you get home. This way you will remove the soil which, by moistening themselves with their saliva, can then harden.
In case of cracks or wounds, even if you have been careful, you must clean them and heal them well so that no infection occurs.
Remember that if you're going to pull your dog out of the snow, there are some special "shoes" for them that will prevent them from hurting the pads.
And it's not only important to protect your dog's paws from the cold! The heat of the asphalt and sidewalks can burn them and cause them the same pain. In this case, it is also very useful to use these protectors, as the Zurich police did last summer with their police dogs.