dry paw pads

when i let hershey in the house this morning, i noticed he was bleeding from his paws.... when i checked him out, it seems that his paw pads are SUPER dry and they started to crack

i didnt have any neosporin (sp?) in the house, but i did have these aloe/vitamin e swabs so i cleaned his paws and put that on them

i read i can put lotion on his paws to hydrate them... has anyone ever done this? what kind of lotion can i use?

also -- how do you prevent their paws from getting so dry they start to bleed?

Re: dry paw pads

I bought a doggy pad creme at petco. I don't know the name off the top of my head. If you don't have neosporine you can also use bacitracin and even a little liquid bandaid for when he goes out again. This helps it heal faster cause it won't get infected. Hope you little one feels better soon!

Re: dry paw pads

It's so funny that you posted this! When we let Jensen inside last night we noticed that one of his pads (the one on his ankle?) was swollen and bleeding. Can I put an antibiotic on it?

Re: dry paw pads

My vet said neosporine or Bacitracin as antibiotics were okay. She said nothing with alcohol cause you don't want them to feel the sting. I've used both neosporine and Bacitracin in the past.

When i use the liquid bandaid it says you don't need an antibacterial but I used it always. Can never be too careful!

Re: dry paw pads

I keep hearing about liquid bandaid from a friend of mine who's dog keeps hurting her paw pads and dew claws. Might be a good thing to keep in the house.

I keep Neosporin gel and Bactine spray in the house. I found that there was a product that combines both but I forget what it was...

If you get the wax stuff for paws and they don't have Mushers Secret, make sure there won't be problems if he tries to lick it off. Also, Petco does sell little booties that velcro on too, if he's going to keep them on.

Re: dry paw pads

When I get my lab's nails cut at PETCO, they always put a creme on his pads. You can buy it at PETCO

Re: dry paw pads

thanks everyone!

i bought a cream at petco & put it on before hershey went to bed last night & his pads already looked better when he woke up this AM!

i put more on before i left and will continue to put some on tonight and tomorrow

Re: dry paw pads

Mushers Secret the best

also if you are walking your dog outside and the salt in the road make sure you clean the pads once you come home from the walk. That can dry and irriate there paws

Re: dry paw pads

I'm relieved you're seeing progress! I know some people who put it on daily while there's an active issue and then weekly as just a preventative when there isn't.

My Dad scoffed at me putting stuff on his paw pads. I said, you try walking barefoot on sand, salt, ice and snow and see how your feet feel. He's one of those "I had a million dogs growing up, never did anything for them, and they were fine!" kind of people.

I'm glad Hershey has such caring parents.