03/16/2026
🐾 Medical Monday: Paw & Nail Health 🐾
Our pets use their paws for everything—running, playing, exploring, and cuddling—so keeping them healthy is an important part of their overall wellness!
One simple way to help is by keeping the hair trimmed around your pet’s paw pads. Excess hair between the pads can trap dirt, moisture, and debris, and it can even make it harder for pets to get good traction on slick floors. Keeping that hair neatly trimmed helps paws stay cleaner and more comfortable.
Nail trims are also important for both dogs and cats. When nails get too long, they can cause discomfort, affect the way your pet walks, and may even grow into the paw pad. Regular nail trims help prevent pain and keep your pet moving comfortably.
Another thing to watch for—especially in dogs—is excessive licking or chewing at their paws. This can be a sign of irritation or infection. Dogs can commonly develop yeast or bacterial infections between their paw pads, which can make the area itchy and uncomfortable. If you notice frequent licking, redness, or irritation in the paws, it’s a good idea to bring your pet in so we can run diagnostics and determine if yeast, bacteria, or another issue may be present.
As spring arrives and pets spend more time outdoors, it’s also common for them to pick up stickers, splinters, sand burrs, and other debris in their paws. These can sometimes become embedded between the toes or in the paw pads and may require veterinary care to safely remove them if they’re causing discomfort.
And if your dog ever tears or breaks a nail, it can bleed quite a bit and can be painful for them. If that happens, give us a call and bring them in so we can properly treat it and help stop the bleeding.
Healthy paws mean happy pets! If your pet needs a nail trim or you have concerns about their paw health, our team at Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital is always happy to help. 🐶🐱
