Patricia
Is your pup dealing with a paw injury but not sure how to deal with it? Whether urgent or minor, you should know what to do about it.
A dog paw wound could also be uncomfortable for your pet. Their paws remain vulnerable even as they grow. So, they could get hurt depending on their surroundings.
But the question is, how should you handle them? Here are a few care tips to remember before you visit a vet!
Clean the Wound ASAP
The first thing you should do when dealing with an injured dog paw is to clean the wound. Doing this prevents infection and further damage to your pup’s foot pads. If it’s too deep, you should take your pet to the vet.
Inspect the wound for debris, like metal or glass, and gently remove it from the paw. Once clear, lightly apply or spray cold water on the injury to loosen smaller particles.
Carefully wash the paw wound with anti-bacterial and pet-friendly soap to disinfect it. Be sure to let it dry before you let your pup loose.
Be Quick to Control Bleeding
A minor paw injury will be fine after proper cleaning and bandaging. But in some cases, the wound might still bleed even after you cleanse it. In this case, you should be quick to control the bleeding.
To do so, take a clean towel and carefully apply pressure to the injured dog paw until little to no blood comes out. Note that it takes longer to stabilize deeper or larger tears.
Your pup might also cause the wound to bleed again when they walk due to the pressure they apply on their feet. If it doesn’t stop, be ready to take your pet to a clinic.
Dog boots, also known as doggie booties or dog shoes, offer several benefits for your furry friend. Here are some of the advantages of using dog boots:
- Protection from Extreme Weather Conditions: Dog boots provide a protective barrier against hot pavement, icy sidewalks, sharp rocks, snow, and cold surfaces. They can prevent burns, frostbite, and injuries to your dog’s paw pads.
- Prevent Paw Pad Injuries: Dog boots can shield your dog’s paws from cuts, scrapes, and abrasions caused by rough terrain, thorns, glass, or other sharp objects.
- Allergen and Irritant Protection: Boots can help keep allergens, irritants, and harmful chemicals (like road salt) away from your dog’s paws, reducing the risk of skin irritation and infections.
Apply Bandage
After you control the bleeding, you should apply a bandage to the wound using gauze pads. You can also consider a dog boot for injured paw if it takes longer to heal.
It’s essential to cushion your pet’s paw injury to reduce the pain and discomfort they feel when they walk. It also prevents any swelling and limits the bleeding.
When caring for an injured paw with a bandage, you should replace it daily and keep it dry to prevent the wound from worsening.
Prevent Them From Licking the Wound
Most dog care experts recommend watching over your pup when they have a paw pad injury. Besides observing the effects of the wound, you should keep them from licking the affected area.
This way, you can prevent them from consuming unwanted germs or infections. You can let your pup lick them if they aren’t too serious and don’t have much bleeding. Otherwise, you should avoid them from touching it as much as you can for quick recovery.
Take Your Pet to a Vet
Your pet might be experiencing other symptoms after the paw injury. If so, the wound may be more serious than it seems.
For example, they lose their appetite or become less active. Some wounds could also be large enough to require stitches. When this happens, you should take your pet to a vet clinic to get them checked or treated.
Heal a Dog Paw Wound With These Quick Care Tips
You can handle some pet injuries at home with simple pet care. Although dog paw wound is common, you should know the proper way to deal with them to prevent further complications.
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