| Both dogs and cats depend on their paws for | | | | your lap where you can easily restrain them but |
| practically everything they do and it should be no | | | | remember to be as gentle as possible. Once in a |
| surprise that they are extremely protective when it | | | | position where you can lift their paws, make the |
| comes to their feet. Many times, your pet does not | | | | attempt while speaking to them in a soothing voice. |
| like you to touch or play with their paws and can | | | | Once your pet realizes you are there to help, they |
| become aggressive when moves are made near the | | | | become lest apt to put up a fight. |
| foot and leg areas. However, regular inspection of | | | | Clean Weekly |
| both claws and paws are needed to ensure proper | | | | While some people may clean their pet's feet and |
| pet health. | | | | paws on a daily basis, this may not be necessary. A |
| Both cats and dogs can get burrs, splinters, and | | | | thorough inspection of the paws and feet should be |
| shards or anything sharp caught between their claws | | | | done weekly. Also, it is a good idea to clean their |
| or embedded in the balls of the paw. Also, during | | | | paws as well. Dirt and other debris can build up on |
| extreme seasons, the paws can become dry and | | | | their pads and in their claws, and it is mainly up to |
| irritated due to the weather and extreme cold and | | | | you to remove it. Although cats and dogs both lick |
| heat. Although these areas are extremely sensitive | | | | and preen their paws, this can be dangerous as they |
| and may be met with aggression when inspecting, if | | | | may ingest foreign material that can be abrasive or |
| one begins early with puppies and kittens, he or she | | | | have unhealthy bacteria attached to it. This is |
| may be able to tame that particular behavior and | | | | essential to ensure proper pet health and the |
| your pet may well welcome your timely inspections. | | | | durability of their paws. |
| Start Early For Ease | | | | Speak With Your Vet |
| A cat or dog can become extremely reticent when | | | | It is also important to maintain open lines of |
| time comes to inspect the paws. Reasons for this | | | | communication when you are at the veterinary |
| revolve around the fact that their paws and claws | | | | office. Ask your vet about foot and paw moisturizers |
| are the most important aspect of their physical body, | | | | and other products that may help keep your pet's |
| and they don't want to risk any damage to those | | | | claws and paws in proper working order. This can |
| areas. However, if started at a young age, your pet | | | | also be beneficial to the owner as well by not having |
| will realize that you are not in any way looking to | | | | to constantly clean up tracks that are left by your |
| hurt their paws. They may be a bit combative at | | | | pet's paws. A pet that has happy feet will keep the |
| first, but you must be persistent. Take your pet into | | | | house nice and neat. |