How to Keep Your Pup's Paws Cool in Warmer Weather
As the weather gets warmer, you may want to take extra care of your pup's paws. Excessively hot pavement, long walks on the beach, and hikes in the hills can all put your dog’s paws at risk from injury or irritation. The increased heat and direct sunlight can cause serious discomfort and harm to their feet, especially for breeds with wrinkly skin like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs—as they are more prone to cracked paws, sores, and other issues. To keep your pup's feet healthy, it’s important to follow a few simple tips. To ensure your beloved pup’s paws are protected from the elements and remain healthy, read on to learn more about how to keep those precious paw pads safe this summer.
Understanding the Risks
The warm temperatures can cause a number of problems for your pup’s paws. Generally speaking, their feet may become dry and cracked due to contact with hot pavement or sand. Additionally, too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn and other forms of irritation as well as increasing their risk of developing cancerous lesions. To make matters worse, hot pavement or sand can burn their paws quickly, causing serious injury and pain. Lastly, certain chemicals like those found in antifreeze tend to leak out during the warmer months, creating a dangerous environment for your pup’s feet.
Caring for Your Dog’s Paws
- Apply sunscreen: Applying sunscreen specifically formulated for dogs before they go out into the sun can provide an added layer of protection from UV rays which can damage the pads on their feet.
- Avoid walks during peak sun hours - Early morning and later evening walks are best so that their paws don't get too hot from direct sunlight or pavement.
- Invest in doggy shoes or boots - These provide an extra layer of protection from harsh surfaces and keep your pup’s feet comfortable too! For breeds with wrinkles (e.g., English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs), make sure to measure their feet correctly and choose the right size for a snug fit.
- Keep your pup’s nails trimmed - Longer nails can cause extra discomfort when walking on hot surfaces, so make sure to keep them trimmed regularly.
- Wipe down the paws after walks: After outdoors activity, it is important to wipe off the paws to remove any dirt, sand, or rocks that may have become lodged between the toes or stuck to their pads. This also helps prevent possible infection from foreign materials. Squishface products are a great choice for your dog care routine. Use Squishface Wrinkle Wipes on your pup's paws, as they are perfect for those hard-to-clean places. And you don't need to worry about you don’t need to worry about stinging or irritation since there’s no harsh chemicals!
- Check for signs of infection: Regularly inspect your pup’s feet for any cuts, sores, redness or swelling as these can be signs of an infection which should be addressed by a veterinarian if they are present.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your pup’s paws safe and healthy when the weather gets warmer is essential. By following these tips, you can ensure that their feet stay comfortable during the summer months. From applying sunscreen to investing in doggy shoes or boots and keeping their nails trimmed, there are plenty of ways to keep those precious paw pads safe this season!
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