3 steps to keep dog paws healthy in winter

Sore dog paws are a real problem in winter. Parks and country walks are saturated with mud and puddles, and pavements and roads are covered in ice, antifreeze, salt, grit and snow.

Problems caused by wet, muddy paws 

• Incessant licking and chewing
• Itching
• Soreness
• Bleeding
• Yeast infections

A trip to the vet will likely leave you £80 lighter and your dog on steroids, only the for problem to return a couple of weeks later.

Stop itchy paws, paw chewing and soreness completely by following these 3 simple steps:

Step 1 -rinse your dog’s paws after a walk

I shower Nikita’s paws with warm water, making sure to get in between the toes and pads. You should see the amount of mud and grit runs down the plughole.

Step 2 – dry them thoroughly

Sounds academic but I thoroughly, gently dry her paws with a clean towel. She’s not overly keen but leaving them warm and damp will do just as much to encourage an itchy, yeasty overgrowth as not rinsing them in the first place. Make sure to get right in between the pads and toes.

Step 3 - apply a protective balm

I then massage a little paw, skin and nose hemp balm from Hownd on to her pads and in between her toes. Hownd paw balm moisturises, soothes and is quickly absorbed. It has no smell so won't put your dog off.  It contains a calendula wax for protection, which has skin-healing and anti-inflammatory properties useful in soothing sores treating inflamed and itchy skin. And it's vegan so everyone can use it.

Not only does it mean that when I get into bed it’s not littered with muck and grit but Nikita is so much calmer and relaxed. Equally, I don’t end up at the vet’s with her treating a totally avoidable yeast infection. Happy all round!

Buy Paw, skin and nose hemp balm from Hownd

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