With the good weather there are many people who are encouraged to go out for long walks in the countryside or the mountains much more than in other seasons, and the good temperatures invite you to spend the day outside.
With the good weather there are many people who are encouraged to go out for long walks in the countryside or the mountains much more than in other seasons, and the good temperatures invite you to spend the day outside.
Just as we prepare ourselves by choosing the right footwear, our dog also needs to prepare his paws, which are used to asphalt, wood, carpet, or the well-kept grass of a park.
The dangers that thepads of our dogs encounter in summer are basically two:
.
1. High-temperature asphalt or sand burns. To avoid this, there are just a couple of common-sense tips: go out with your dog when it’s not so sunny (or keep in the shade) and avoid heat-retaining surfaces (try to stick to the cooler grass)
.
2.Outings to the countryside and the mountains. Keep in mind that it will encounter uneven and uneven ground, stones, branches and even thorns or small animals that can get stuck to its pads.
The pads are usually the ones that suffer the most on uneven ground, as they are responsible for supporting the pressure and weight of the body on the ground. The pads, which also help them to maintain their balance, have aresistant skin prepared to resist the irregularities of the ground, but it can happen that these become dry or cracked, and even with sores and wounds, and this is something that we must avoid.
Before the first few outings
It is good to get the animal used to combining different surfaces throughout the year: sand, earth, asphalt, grass, etc. On very hot days, as mentioned above, be careful with hot ground (beware of sand!), and in winter with snow, which can burn the skin of the pads.
Bear in mind that the pads of the paws are gradually tanning, and if he is not used to it and you take him for a walk on stony ground, or take him for a walk on a road in the sun, he will probably end up with wounds or cracks, but if you increase the distances little by little, his paws will also “get in shape” almost without noticing it.
If you notice that their skin is dry, you can use a special moisturising cream (consult your vet about which one is the most suitable), there are some that nourish and also repair, but perhaps the most important thing is proper hygiene.
After a long walk in the countryside
After each outing, check the pads as well as the spaces between the toes and remove any debris that may have been left behind: twigs, grit or even thorns. You can also carefully trim any hairs that are sticking out.
If you see any cracks or wounds, it is best to see your vet to check the severity of the injury and, if necessary, to prescribe a healing solution. Of course, if you give him a treatment cream you will have to be careful so that he does not lick it, some owners put socks on them to avoid this.
If necessary, if they have a tendency to get cracks or wounds, you can choose specific footwear, especially for walking on very abrasive surfaces or on snow or ice. Although they take some getting used to at first, there are dogs (and owners) who are delighted
