Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist

on it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely

walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws.

Their paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and

that's why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But

this doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the

areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from

cuts, burns, and other ailments.

One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back

limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you

to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible

and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters.

Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like

people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep

persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws

touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm

only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our

words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and

sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice.

If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic

solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound

again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks

infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once

shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my

dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately

(she was fine after treatment).

In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which

can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim

regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even

in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped

between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's

best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud

between the toes.

Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also

experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is

similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use

your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge

involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you

apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before

your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for

the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your

pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts

licking his paws.

Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered

if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But

your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily

walk out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular.

In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own

paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.