Protective Products for Old Dog Paws

Do you take care of your old dog’s paws? Everyone knows exercise is good for an old dog’s health so we include them in our walks which we take in all types of weather. In the summer, we protect our own feet with comfortable shoes and in the winter an extra pair of socks inside our boots. But once we’re ready most people just attach a leash and head outside without any consideration of how a walk will affect our dog’s feet. It is almost like we are asking our dogs to endure the elements barefooted!

There are a variety of innovative products available that protect your dog’s paw from the elements. The trick is training your older dog to wear them. There are also several products that help when your old dog’s paws are already sore.

Dog Boots – There are several different types of dog boots.
• Orthopedic – Used to protect wounds caused by dragging paws
• Disposable – Keep your dog's paws safe and dry in wet and muddy conditions – great for the visits to the dog park.
• All purpose boots – Use them year-round on rocky trails or fields covered with winter snow or summer thistles.
• Extreme Winter Boots – Added warmth, provides traction and protect your dog's paws from ice, rocks and rough terrain.

Protective Products for Paws

Knit Socks - Protects and warm your pet's paws used indoors or out.

Paw Heals - Creates a germ and water barrier, penetrating rapidly and deeply. Does not wash off when dogs are in water. Helps your dogs paw pads and webbing heal.

Paw Protectors - Products are available to aid in the care and repair of dry, calloused foot pads. The product softens calloused areas and increases the pliability of the pad, while maintaining the resiliency consistent with normal healthy tissue.

Paw Spray – A pet friendly spray that removes dirt and more from your dog's paws. There are some that contain aloe so will help soothe and condition irritated paws.

Paw Wipes - Cleans and deodorizes dog paws with a fresh scent. Use to help stop the spread of dirt and odors.

Pet safe winter ice melter - Keep your steps, sidewalks and driveway both pet and environmentally friendly.

Leg wraps – Not sure if these are more of a fashion statement but they could protect your dog from formation of Ice-balls or collecting thorns in the fur.

Canine footbath – A device that you place your dogs paw into and it cleans it. As you pull the paw out it says it works like a squeegee.

Dog paw cleaner brush - There are extra soft, super absorbent microfibers dusters that are designed to be gentle on tender paws.

Paw De-icier – A special solution that repels water, ice, and snow. This will help to prevent water from freezing between pads, and snow from clumping on fur.

Musher's Secret - An invisible “boot” for dogs, made of dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs; its said to provide great protection even in the most extreme conditions. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes. Aids in protecting your dogs paws from salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, sand, sand-burn, hot pavement, and rough terrain.

Brief warning, we had a bit of a struggle to train our old dog to get his foot gear on. Maybe the old guy was embarrassed. He was definitely stubborn and comfortable in his ways. But the “bootie-battle” was worth it in the long run. Best of luck!


Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

The ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Brave

Brave -I considered our old dog brave for many reasons. He was brave to fight through his pain each day and still remain gentle to the people around him. Brave to struggle up and down the dog ramp although he could barely see or fully use his hind legs. Brave to be aware of his loss of movement yet still pushing himself to find a way to stay by our sides.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

7 Tips to Prepare your Older Dog for a Move to a Condo

Downsizing from a family home with a big back yard and room to roam is not easy for anyone in the family. But as needs change, older people often look for homes that require less yard work and maintenance. Often a condominium or town-home is a great alternative to older folks who prefer spending time with grandchildren and travel than cutting grass and weeding gardens.

All the changes and restrictions that come with being in a condo or town-home association are something most people are prepared for but “Fido” might be in for a bit of a surprise. No longer will he be able to chase squirrels or the neighbor’s cat out of the backyard. And that leash and kennel that were only used for trips to the vet, will more than likely be used several times every day when he needs to go outside. It will be a sad day for Fido who can no longer be leash-free in his own backyard because his backyard is now common ground.

Here are 7 helpful tips to ease your senior dog’s stress and help him make a smooth, stress-free transition to the condo-lifestyle:

1. Start Training Early - Don’t think of this as a way to punish Fido. A training collar is all about keeping your older pet safe in his new environment. Pull out that training collar and let him know that you mean business. He has to relearn to walk on a leash and not bark at everything and everyone.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice - At least a month before the move, start your daily walk with the leash being attached before exiting the house. Make sure Fido knows that darting out the door will no longer be tolerated.

3. Tied out Trials - Every time you sit on the deck or patio, first hook up Fido to his tie-out so he can get used to being tied-up. Many people don’t use these in fenced yards but most condo associations will have this restriction.

4. Reward Good Behavior - As Fido learns the rules, the training collar can come off and the treats or reward system can begin.

5. Keep License Up-to-Date - Most associations will require all pets to have to have all shots and local licensing up to date and of file.

6. Snap a Good Photo - Not quite a mug shot, but many associations will want a photo of all pets on file so they know which pet belongs to which association member.

7. Find Area Dog Parks - Research your new neighborhood to see if there is a leash-free dog park in the area where Fido can have a quick and safe run once in awhile to burn off all that pent up stress from being good in his new surroundings.

By taking the time to prepare Fido for the change to condo-living, your older dog will enjoy his new home and surroundings as much as you will.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

Pet Care Financial Assistance

Our pets are considered a member of the family and we want the best for them just as we do for our children. We take them on family trips, car rides to the store and will usually find them in many of the family photos.

Can you image the pain someone must feel if they aren’t able to afford needed medical care and have to make the difficult choice of dropping their pet at a shelter or putting them to sleep?

There are some tremendous people like Angels4Animals that have created assistance programs for people that are struggling with these decisions. There is an extensive list of these great organizations at olddogpaws.

I hope you consider making a donation to these great programs if you are able. That way they can continue to help others and their pets.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

The ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Affectionate

Affectionate - When you spend time with an old dog you receive 100% of there attention back. When our dog was younger he was willing to stop for a quick ear rub but was anxious to get on to next activity. An old dog will soak up as much attention as you are willing to give.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

Old Dog Car Ride

I was sitting at a stop light the other day and something to my left caught my eye. As I glanced over my eyes connected with a pair of eyes looking back at me. It was a handsome old dog with perfect posture sitting in the back seat. Do you think he could actually see me or was I just an object that stopped moving next to him?

As our cars pulled away from the stop light I noticed the dog barely moved. He seemed to have great balance and sat with a sense of pride. I caught up with him at the next light and again we seemed to be in perfect sync as our eyes made contact, I could almost see a slight grin from him as if to say “Isn’t life grand”.

As the light turned green and his owner’s car moved ahead of mine that was the last I saw of him, but the image of that well behaved prideful old dog has been etched in my mind

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

A Family Laugh

Is your family like ours when it comes to getting a laugh by dressing your pet in a Halloween costume? It is estimated that families will spent 47.7 billion dollars on pets in 2010 and part of that expenditure will be finding ways to include our pets in holiday celebrations.

We weren’t successful keeping a full costume on our pets so we moved to purchasing hats and other head gear but we still like to look at the complete pet costume line each year and comment on how funny it would look on them.

Since we’re not doing this for a specific party or the little ghosts and goblins knocking on the door, we scope out what we think would be the funniest and get the silliest reaction and wait for the after Halloween sales. By waiting we have been able to purchase a couple of hats for our cat when we can’t agree on the best one.

Hope you and your pets enjoy Halloween 2010! Remember to take some pictures, they are good reminders of the day and will make you laugh every time you look at them

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws