Category: Paws

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Paws

Your Dog’s Leash Could be causing that Constant Paw Licking

dog walking on retractable leash

It never would have occurred to me that the type of leash I used to walk my dog could be the culprit of her excessive paw licking.

Something as simple as changing my dog’s leash stopped the paw licking. We went through tons of tests, elimination diets and antibiotics and it turns out that a $10 retractable leash was the issue. A quick trip to the pet store and problem solved!

Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if retractable leashes could be causing your dog’s paw licking:

1. Does your dog use a collar attached to a retractable leash?

2. Does your dog tend to pull on the leash?

3. Does your dog lick his/her front paws?

If the answers is yes, then the leash could be the issue.

According to the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal “the spring of the retractable leash causes a continuous pull that generates a degree of stress in the cervical region… And, when the dog gets to the end of the retractable leash, the sudden stop and jerk causes additional force… This causes spasms and inflammation in the inter-scapular region and nerve and energy meridian pathways are affected or impinged by tight muscles.”

The good news is that the solution is fast, cheap and easy.
1. Use a harness and a traditional leash.
2. Do not attach the leash directly onto the collar.

NEED MORE HELP?

Ask our vet! It’s free of charge. Just click here and you’ll be escorted directly to the vet’s office (but don’t worry, we won’t ask you to take out your credit card!)

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies Old Age Paws Skin Disease

Will a Paw Rub help my dog’s dry cracked paws?

Dogs paws and paw rub With summer drawing to a close and cooler weather coming in you can look forward to taking your best friend for walks in crisper temperatures and even (heaven forbid) a little frost and (gasp) snow!.

The colder weather emerges and so do dry cracked paw pads. Luckily this year you can be armed with information that will help you combat this affliction.

Before we go any further let’s start by saying if you have a dog with pads that are so dry they’re bleeding and raw stop reading right now and get your dog to the vet. You can stop to bandage them, add a little antibiotic cream to prevent infection and use (clean) socks to cover the bandaging. Do not mess around with this! Your dog’s feet come in contact with some pretty nasty items and infection is a distinct possibility.

It goes without saying that you do not want to let things get this bad. This is the best time of the year to nip this in the bud; before the weather gets cold and icy.

Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!

If your dog is starting to exhibit greyness on the paws your first thought may be “how about some hand cream or even better petroleum jelly, that always works for me”. What’s wrong with that?

Well this may be a good time for a pop quiz;

You slather healing cream on your dogs cracked paws, making sure to get between the toes…ah relief…Question; what happens next?

I know you all got the right answer… you are dog owners after all, yes…He licks it off!

Not your dogs fault, he likes to be clean! And licking is his only option (the wet naps need opposable thumbs to operate).

So considering this fact it’s probably better if the creme you use exhibits two key properties.1. It absorbs (and moisturizes) quickly, and 2. it’s perfectly safe to ingest. Both Cain and Able Paw Rub and Happytails BowWow Butter Balm were created with these two properties in mind and it turns out that a single ingredient is perfect in this situation; All natural shea butter. few things absorb as quickly and moisturize as deeply as shea butter, all while being perfectly safe to ingest.

Obviously it’s a good idea to prevent your dog from licking it off (it will heal the pad faster). here’s where a little distraction or a treat will come in handy, or you can always use that pair of socks or even better, booties to make it harder for him to get at his paws.

As winter approaches be careful of salted sidewalks. it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of Dry Dog Instant Clean and a rag by the door. When you return from your walk spry a little on the pads and wipe off all that dry dirty salt before it’s licked off. Not only will this help with dryness and cracking but also many of the chemicals used to melt ice and snow are poisonous to your dog.

With a little forethought and planning the winter months will come and go without incident and both you and your best friend will be ready for the thaw with painless pads and a spring in his step.

Is your Dog’s Paw Licking Driving you insane? Get our Free ebook, click on the book below to download.

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Flea Treatments Itchy Skin & Allergies Paws

Taking The Itch Out Of Paw Licking Due To Flea Allergy

by Dr. Nicola Parry

Does your dog have a flea allergy? If so, his constant paw licking is likely driving you insane. And if it makes you feel this way, imagine how he is feeling! Even though his allergy can’t be cured, there are definitely things you can do to manage this problem.

How Can I Help To Manage His Skin Problem?

You can help your dog in two important ways, and they involve treating the cause as well as the symptoms:

  • Flea Control: Fleas are everywhere, so if your dog goes outdoors, it’s impossible to prevent him coming into contact with them. Your job is to protect him against them with a two-sided attack:
    • Treat your dog: Flea control medication is a must, otherwise every flea bite will set off his allergy. Veterinary prescription medications are usually best for this condition, but if you prefer to use a natural, chemical-free product in conjunction, try Flea The Scene . This spray nicely complements other products, and is safe, even if accidentally ingested. You may also want to supplement with an all natural flea prevention shampoo and conditioner such as the Dirty & Harry OUTDOOR Collection
    • Treat his environment : You can significantly reduce flea egg numbers by just vacuuming, as well as washing any bedding, furniture covers, or anything that he sits on. Follow up with environmental flea sprays on carpets and soft furnishings.

Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!

  • Itch Control: It is essential to break the cycle of itching, scratching and skin damage that leads to more itching. Your veterinarian can advise on which product is best for your dog, depending on the severity of his condition. But there are chemical-free products that you can use to complement this treatment. For all-over skin relief, try Comfy Dog oatmeal conditioning shampoo at bath time. Afterwards spray Itchin’ For Relief directly onto his paws and any other bothersome hot spots – this will help to further soothe itchiness and reduce inflammation. “Healthy Skin Shiny Coat” is another helpful product that comes in a dropper bottle – a few drops by mouth or on a treat will help relieve itching and promote coat health.

If you’ve ever suffered the wrath of poison ivy, you’ll know how it feels to have itchy skin. So do your dog a favor and help keep his flea allergy and itchiness under control. You can be sure he’ll then be licking your face instead of his paws!

Is your Dog’s Paw Licking Driving you insane? Get our Free ebook, click to download.

Categories
Paws

Why do dogs lick their paws?

by Dr. Nicola Parry

If your dog refuses to stop licking his paws, you are not alone! This is a very common complaint from dog owners, and if left untreated it can lead to serious skin problems due to the damage caused by self-trauma.

So Why Does My Dog Constantly Lick His Paws?

Although there are many possible, underlying causes of paw licking in dogs, they all typically fall into one of two categories:

  • Environmental: Many environmental factors can lead to itchiness of the skin, causing your dog to lick his paws to try to soothe himself. Some of the more common factors include fleas, skin mites, and allergies (such as flea allergy or food allergy).
  • Behavioral: Although less common, some dogs do constantly lick or chew at their paws because of psychological tendencies, often due to underlying boredom or anxiety.

Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!

How Can I Tell What’s Causing My Dog To Lick His Paws?

Due to the large number of possible causes, it can be difficult to immediately recognize why your dog is licking his paws all the time; however, as a general guide:

  • If he is licking just one of his paws, or just both front paws, check for evidence of damaged skin or an embedded foreign body. If neither is present, the cause is likely psychological.
  • If he is licking all of his paws, likely there is some environmental reason for this.

How Can I Help To Treat The Problem?

Treatment of this problem involves a three-pronged attack:

  • Stop the itchiness: If his paw licking is due to environmental causes like allergies, relieving the itchiness can go a long way to resolving the problem. Although there are various prescription medications that your veterinarian can prescribe for this, you may wish to try a more natural, chemical-free approach. There are numerous products that can help, but three of our favorites include:
    • Comfy Dog oatmeal conditioning shampoo: Wash him with this at bath time to help soothe the skin and relieve itching.
    • Itchin’ For Relief : This has a unique blend of ingredients to soothe itchy skin, and reduce inflammation, as well as a special nozzle to direct the spray onto affected skin – so it doesn’t just wet the fur.
    • Healthy Skin Shiny Coat : This comes in a handy dropper bottle – simply give him a few drops by mouth to help relieve itching.
  • Treat skin damage: Excessive licking can lead to skin damage. This in itself is enough of a problem, but additionally it can continue the cycle of itching and licking, so it’s important to do whatever possible to allow the skin to heal. Often this involves antibiotic therapy, although some minor cases may resolve themselves once the itchiness is treated.
  • Identify and eliminate the primary cause where possible: This is often the most difficult task! Some causes may be immediately evident, such as a grass awn stuck between the toes. Others, however, may require the help of your veterinarian. Allergic conditions, for instance, may require an extensive diagnostic work-up to attempt to determine what the allergic stimulus is.

While not all cases of paw licking are created equal, the approach to their treatment is certainly similar. And although in some difficult cases the cause remains unidentified, you can still provide a lot of relief for your dog’s itchiness. This symptomatic treatment will go a long way to alleviating the problem, whatever the underlying cause.

Is your Dog’s Paw Licking Driving you insane? Get our Free ebook, click on the book below to download.

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies Paws

Why Does My Dog Constantly Lick His Paws?

by Dr. Nicola Parry

Does your dog lick or chew his paws constantly? If so, then more than likely this behavior is already driving you insane. Although all dogs lick themselves as normal grooming behavior, excessive licking and chewing indicates an underlying problem. Getting to the bottom of why he is doing this, however, is not always easy since this problem can result from many causes.

5 Reasons Why Your Dog May Be Licking His Paws

  1. Allergy: Often dogs will lick their paws if they have an itch – although it can be due to itchy paws, it can also be a result of an itch elsewhere. Oftentimes when dogs feel itchy, they just lick somewhere accessible – the paws – as a way of soothing the irritation. Although many types of allergy can be causative, flea allergies or even a simple flea infestation can be very common causes, especially in the summer.
  2. Injury: Damaged skin also causes itchiness. This can arise secondary to problems like flea allergy, or it can be a primary problem. It’s not uncommon for dogs to cut their paws, or even to have foreign material such as grass seeds stuck in the skin between their toes.
  3. Habit: Boredom or lack of exercise can often lead to licking, especially in dogs left home alone for long periods of time.
  4. Anxiety: This can be linked to boredom, for instance if dogs become anxious when alone, but other incidents can also cause anxiety. Simple things like a change in routine can lead to anxiety in some dogs, as can additions to the family, such as a new baby or a new pet.
  5. Compulsive Disorder: Some dogs develop obsessive, compulsive issues that lead to constant licking. Although uncommon, this can be very difficult to control.

Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!

Why Is The Licking A Problem?

In addition to being annoying to most owners, the constant licking can be a real problem for dogs, so it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible.

If left unchecked, the licking can lead to skin damage, open sores, and secondary bacterial infection. This can then become a vicious cycle, since the damaged skin is more irritated and painful, causing even more licking.

If your dog licks his paws due to habit or anxiety, there is also the risk that this can progress to become a compulsive behavior.

5 Tips For Treatment

  1. Treat for fleas: Since these are a very common cause of paw licking, be sure to institute a flea control regime, even if you don’t see any. Flea The Scene is an effective, natural product that can help eliminate this problem.
  2. Control the itch: Breaking the “itch-scratch” cycle can help to stop the licking in cases due to flea allergy. Itchin’ For Relief and Healthy Skin Shiny Coat are great for this purpose, helping to soothe your dog’s skin naturally.
  3. Cover the paws: Some dogs respond well to this, and it can occasionally stop the behavior. Dog booties can be used, or even simple dressings using self-adhesive material such as Vetrap®.
  4. Health check: If your dog’s constant licking persists, or if open wounds develop, your veterinarian should rule out underlying health problems, such as skin infections or entrapped foreign material.
  5. Behavior Therapy: If your dog licks his paws as part of a compulsive disorder, a behavioral expert may need to recommend behavioral changes or medication.

So if your dog is licking his paws, take some comfort in the fact that this is a common complaint! I remember constant issues with my dog and his combination of allergic skin disease, habit, and anxiety that caused constant licking – and despite being a veterinarian, I found that little trio quite difficult to completely control. The good news, however, is that many cases are less complicated and very manageable.

Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles

Categories
Paws

Healing Your Dog's Sore Cracked Paws

 

When your favorite part of the day is going for a walk to explore the neighborhood, it’s no fun when you’ve got sore cracked paws!

 

Cold winter weather is hard on your dog’s footpads, because they are constantly in contact with cold sidewalks and snowy grass. The result is painful fissures in his pads which may bleed and become infected.

 

There are steps you can take to treat splits in your dog’s footpds, and prevent them recurring.

 

Cure those Cracked Pads

 

  • It’s important that you look closely at your dog’s pads often. That way you find any splits early, and can start treatment straight away.

 

  •  If the cracks look at all infected, take your dog to your vet for a checkup. Infection can delay healing, and he may need antibiotics to clear it up. He may also need a bandage to protect his foot as he recovers.
  • If your dog’s pads are only mildly cracked,  you can take care of them yourself at home. Clean his pad gently with a mild antiseptic such as iodine scrub, and dry his foot thoroughly. Apply bowWOW Butter Balm to his pads to help heal and condition his skin. It not only contains shea butter and other natural oils to moisturize his skin,but also coconut oil and tea tree oil which can help to control infection. Marshmallow extract and calendula will soothe the irritation in his skin, and have him feeling comfortable very quickly.

 

  • Providing your dog isn’t limping, you can continue to take him for walks as normal. Just be careful; sometimes salt is sprinkled on icy footpaths to make it melt, and this salt will be very painful if it gets into the crack in his footpad.

 

Prevention is Better Than Cure

 

It’s worth while taking a few minutes after your walk to care for your dog’s pads; by doing that you can prevent painful fissures from developing.

 

When you return from your outing, bathe his feet with warm water to clean away any salt that has stuck to his paws. This will also remove any chemical ice melting products that may have been used on the roads. These aren’t good for your dog, and you don’t want him to lick them off his paws. It will also allow you to have a good look at his feet for any injuries that need more attention.

 

Massage bowWOW Butter Balm well into each paw as a preventative, to help stop his pads from splitting.

 

You can purchase booties for your dog, and these may be useful if you plan on walking over rough ground or going for longer outings in the snow. He may take a little while to feel comfortable in them, and may try and kick them off or walk with a funny gait. Booties are very handy, not only to protect his feet and stop him developing splits in his pads, but to protect any existing cracks as they heal. There are so many styles of booties available, you’re sure to find a pair that suits your dog’s personality.

 

Cracks in the footpads are your dog’s least favorite part of winter. Fortunately, they usually heal quickly, and it won’t be long before you’re again sharing winter adventures.

 

 

 

Categories
Grooming Odor/Smell Paws Shampoo Tear Stains

Time To Winterize Your Dog

Winter Dogs

By Kevin Fisher
It’s November and in most parts of the country winter is imminent. (It’s even getting a tad chilly here in Southern California!) Time to winterize your house with a little weather stripping and a few extra blankets; time to to winterize your car with anti-freeze and an ice scraper. It’s even time to start thinking about winterizing your best friend! No you don’t need to weather strip or de-ice your dog but there are a few things to bear in mind as the shorter days draw in.
It goes without saying that if you live in a cold weather area you should have a warm place for your dog to sleep . The back yard is no longer good enough unless your little guy has a somewhere to get out of the wind and the rain (but you knew that already didn’t you)
If you bathe your own dog make sure you use warmer water, preferably inside and spend a little extra time drying and brushing. Bubbles n’ Beads is the perfect cold weather product because it cleans and conditions in one go so your dog spends less time wet. If you want to skip a few bath times try DryDog Instant Clean , an all natural bath replacement spray that not only helps to clean your best friend but contains ordenone, an ingredient that traps and removes the bad smells that seem to flourish between groomings. TIP: Keep a rag and bottle at the door to use on after-walk muddy paws
Don’t leave your dog alone in the car; If the engine is left running there’s a possibility of carbon monoxide infiltrating the car, if the engine is not on it may just get too cold.
Salty frozen sidewalks can be a dogs worst enemy. Not only do his paw pads (and nose) get cold but they’re desiccated even further by the salt. It’s always a good idea to rinse and wipe his paws (and nose if he’s been sniffing around) when yo come back in from a walk. A great product to use before and after walks is bowWow Butter Balm . Apply a little before you go out and it forms a barrier between the skin and the environment and a little more after you come in will prevent irritation and heal dry skin. Note you should never use Petroleum jelly or Petroleum based products on your dogs pads; petroleum jelly contains petrolatum, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. bowWow Butter balm is all natural shea butter and is perfectly safe.
Be vigilant on walks, this is the season for antifreeze and some of which can spill on driveways, It’s a particularly lethal product because it tastes and smells good to your dog but contains ethylene glycol, which can be deadly even in small quantities.
If your dog is out in the cold and starts shaking or shivering get him inside as soon as possible. If the shaking doesn’t stop within ten minutes of being inside it’s a good idea to call your vet.
Like people, dog’s seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter , so be alert for the warning signs; loss of appetite, drinking an inordinate amount of water or just general lethargy. Never give your dog over-the-counter medications meant for humans unless you’ve spoken to your vet first. Some products that are perfectly safe for humans are toxic to dogs; aspirin, in the wrong dosage can cause toxicity, pseudoephedrine can be very harmful or even deadly to pets, even breath fresheners can contain both menthol, (which can be irritating to the mouth and the stomach) and xylitol (which can cause liver damage).
If you want to be proactive in keeping your best friend healthy this year Eyemunity is the perfect product. It contains Epicor an all natural immune booster that will not only improve your dog’s overal health but also help prevent tearstains. Click here for more information on this product
But the winter is not all bad news, many people, and dogs find the chill in the air invigorating. (I’m definitely not one of them, 20 years shoveling snow in in New York were enough for me:-) As a dog owner you not only have a loyal playmate but you have your own personal heating unit; your dog’s body temperature is a few degrees higher than yours so cuddle up and enjoy the exothermia!

Categories
Paws

How to Prevent & Treat Your Dog's Dry, Cracked Paws

Dog in Snow
Whether your dog loves to play in the snow and wile away the winter hours outdoors, or hates the cold weather and wants go to back inside as quickly as possible, caring for your dog’s paws is a vital consideration. Road and sidewalk salt can cause serious damage to your canine pal’s paw pads, so if your dog has dry, cracked paws, consider these solutions and remedies:
Don’t let your dog suffer – look out for dry, cracked paws!
Your dog’s paws should be rough, to enhance traction and enable your dog to run and play, but dry, cracked paws can be extremely painful for your dog. Treat paws when they are dry to help prevent cracking – don’t let them get cracked, because not only are they painful for your poor canine pal, but dirt and debris in the cracks can actually cause an infection!
If you live in an area with cold, snowy winters, or if you live in a dry, dusty climate, check your dog’s paws daily for dryness. Make it part of the morning or evening routine; it’ll help you stay on top of your dog’s paw health, and it’ll also help your dog become accustomed to people handling his paws!
Wash your dog’s paws regularly to remove road and sidewalk salt.
Not only can road and sidewalk salt cause dry, cracked paws, but some of these salts are actually toxic if your dog ingests them! Wash your dog’s paws in warm water when you come inside to remove any salt. This is especially vital if your dog is a licker; if your dog licks chemical salt from his paws, you might find yourself with a trip to the emergency vet in your future!
Because dog’s paw pads need to retain a bit of roughness, you can’t really use human-grade moisturizers on them to treat dryness. In fact, some human moisturizers even contain chemicals that can be harmful to your dog! One of the best products to treat dry paws and help prevent cracking or damage from road salt is a Paw Rub. A Paw Rub  helps to relieve your dog’s pain and should be completely safe for your dog, even if he licks it off and ingests it! There are a number of good ones on the market. We like Paw Nectar by Quality Pet because it’s 100% organic.
Applying this soothing salve regularly can help condition your dog’s paws and prevent dryness, and if your dog’s paws are injured or dry, a Balm can help alleviate pain and help your dog heal faster. The formula should not be greasy, so no worries about getting little paw prints all over your sofa. As an added bonus.
For some dogs, boots are an option.
If your dog tolerates boots, you have an effective tool to combat dry, cracked paws. Simply put the boots on before you leave, and remove them when you get back. Using boots also saves you the trouble of having to wash your dog’s paws, as you can simply take them off when you return home. Unfortunately, boots can be time-consuming to apply, and some mischievous dogs remove boots as quickly as you can put them on. Boots aren’t a universal solution for all dogs. Here are a selection of boots to choose from.
Whichever method you choose, be sure that you add ‘paw maintenance’ into your dog’s daily checklist.