How To Trim Your Dog’s Paws

Some longer coated dogs will need their fur trimming from underneath the paws. Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and Cocker Spaniels have fur which grows longer between the pads on the paws. When giving your dog a brush always check whether any fur needs to be trimmed around and underneath the paws.

This dog’s paw has a little protruding fur which could do with a trim.

WHY SHOULD I TRIM THE FUR UNDERNEATH MY DOG’S PAWS?

If your dog has a longer coat and fur which protrudes from between the pads under the feet then it is best to trim this back with a pair of straight-edged scissors (refer to our page on Dog Grooming Scissors). There are several benefits for doing this:-

By giving the paws a trim the dog will not pick up so much dirt and sand and walk it through the house if he/she is an inside dog;
As well as sand and dirt, far more serious objects can get caught up in the extra long fur – such as grass seeds and burrs, bits of glass, or anything else which may cause irritation or enter the dog’s skin;
If you live in cold climates it prevents the dog from picking up snow and sludge which can harden quite quickly and do
It just makes the dog’s paws look a lot neater and tidier.

PROTECTING THE PAWS FROM WINTER SNOW AND TOXIC CHEMICALS

Some dogs love to romp and play in the snow. Wet, melting snow or slush can cling to the fur underneath the dogs paws. Accompany this with gravel, dirt or rock salt this can make for sore paws for the dog if not removed.

Rock salt and de-icers which are used for clearing the ground of ice and snow contain potentially harmful chemicals which are toxic if ingested. If your dog has ice and snow stuck to the paws or even if there is no ice, snow or gravel stuck to the paws still don’t allow the dog to lick until after they are washedin warm water and thoroughly cleaned. This means if the dog licks his/her paws later no toxic chemicals will be ingested into the body.

By giving the dog’s paws a trim you are protecting him/her from snow/ice which will stick.
PROTECT YOUR DOG’S FEET WITH SPECIAL DOG BOOTS
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Paw Tectors Dog Paw Protection

HOW DO I TRIM THE FUR AROUND MY DOG’S PAWS?

Trimming a dog's paws

A dog or puppy who has been trained to stay calm while his paws are being touched or nails clipped will be a lot easier than a dog who is fidgety. It is so much easier to train a pup to put up with someone handling his paws from a young age than it is to try to calm an older dog who doesn’t like his paws being touched. An older dog will take more patience and time to gradually get him accustomed to this procedure.

You will need a pair of sharp straight-edged scissors. It is easier to have the dog lying down. If you are having trouble keeping him/her still give him a bone or a chew toy filled with treats.

Gently bend the dog’s paw back so you can get to the underneath. With the scissors carefully trim the fur on the dog’s paws back to being level with the pads. Dogs can sometimes get matted in between the main back pad and the front ones. This forms the shape of a ‘v’. If you can trim this portion of fur as close to the skin as possible without cutting the dog. It is best to keep this area free from fur to prevent matting and also to minimise any other grass seeds, dirt or any other matter which could be potentially do some damage to your dog. Also trim neatly around the edge of the paws to look neat and tidy.

While you have the dog still to trim his/her paws you might want to trim the nails also.

Some dogs do not allow anyone other than their owners to touch their paws. By learning how to trim your dog’s paws you are going to be able to keep him looking neat and also preventing any possible damage to him through grass seeds, etc.

Soft Claws Nail Caps for Dogs

Soft Claws Nail Caps are the solution to your dog’s scratching problems. These clear soft plastic caps can be applied to front paws only, to minimize scratching damage to human skin and surfaces, or to all four paws to prevent hind claws from aggravating dog’s skin that is already irritated or inflamed. Soft Claws do not interfere with any of your dog’s normal activities. Includes complete instructions for proper nail trimming and application. Each pack contains 40 Nail Caps and 2 tubes of adhesive. XS is for dogs 1-5 lbs S is for dogs 1-10 lbs M is for dogs 10-15 lbs L is for dogs 15-20 lbs XL is for dogs 20-40 lbs XXL is for dogs 40-70 lbs Jumbo is for dogs 70 lbs and up.

Soft Claws Nail Caps for Dogs

HY SHOULD I TRIM THE FUR UNDERNEATH MY DOG’S PAWS?

By giving the paws a trim the dog will not pick up so much dirt and sand and walk it through the house if he/she is an inside dog;
As well as sand and dirt, far more serious objects can get caught up in the extra long fur – such as grass seeds and burrs, bits of glass, or anything else which may cause irritation or enter the dog’s skin;
If you live in cold climates it prevents the dog from picking up snow and sludge which can harden quite quickly and do
It just makes the dog’s paws look a lot neater and tidier.

PROTECTING THE PAWS FROM WINTER SNOW AND TOXIC CHEMICALS

By giving the dog’s paws a trim you are protecting him/her from snow/ice which will stick.

PROTECT YOUR DOG’S FEET WITH SPECIAL DOG BOOTS

Soft Claws Nail Caps for Dogs