Your dog's paws withstand a lot. The paw pads act as a cushion for the body weight the dog carries around, and also helps protect the delicate bones and joints within. There are actually three different kinds of pads on a dogs paw. The first are the "toe pads" called Digital Pads. They help act as shock absorbers while the dog is running or walking on different terrains. The second pad is the large pad, and is called the Metacarpal Pad. This is the main pad that becomes super rough and thick on dogs who are outside on harder terrains or more unstable terrains. The third pad is the one going up the back of the leg... almost what you'd think of to be the "heal" if the dog put its whole foot down on the ground. This pad is called Carpal Pad. The carpal pad is used to gain traction when stopping or doing downhill.
On top of the digital pads are the claws. Claws and Nails tend to be used interchangeably, but according to Wikipedia, a claw is for catching and holding prey, for digging, climbing, self defense and grooming. While a nail is more of a rounded, protective piece at the top of the finger or toe. Both are made of the protein keratin, which is what we care about for this post!
This post is going to teach you how to perform the perfect "Pawdicure" on your dog. Not only can treating your dog to a paw massage and nail oil treatment (or should we say "claw oil treatment") be a relaxing event for your pooch, but it allows you to inspect and stay on top of their paw health.
Now before you can give a perfect pawdicure, you need to have the right supplies on hand! You'll need our Paw Cream, our Nail Oil, a towel, a cup of lukewarm water, and nail clippers or dremel. You want your dog to lay or sit in their favorite area and be as comfortable as possible, so if this means up on a couch or bed, you may want to wash their paws first in another area before letting them get snuggled in.
You can purchase our Pawdicure Set ready to go in this cute little box. They even make a great gift!
Ok on to the steps!
Step 1: Dip each of your dog's paws into the cup of lukewarm water and dry them off on the towel. If your dog likes having their paws wet, feel free to let each paw soak a bit before removing. If your dog's paws are quite dirty, you will have get fresh water for each paw or have multiple cups ready to go.
Step 2: After your dog has freshly washed paws, clip or dremel their nails if they'll allow you. If this part stresses them out, feel free to skip it.
Step 3: Give your dog a chance to relax. Grab your Paw Cream and let the massage begin! Scoop out a little cream, and apply to all the pads on the paw. While gently talking to your dog, or playing soft music, massage the cream in a circular motion across each pad. Make sure to get up around the sides of the pad too and all the extra dry or rough spots. If your dog is groaning, sighing, or stretching open their toes, they are loving their paw massage so feel free to rub some cream and massage up in between the toes and in between the pads on the fur feeling those little tendons. Work your way up the leg to the last carpal pad. This pad may not need as much attention since it isn't used daily, but it still deserves some attention. Note, if your dog is trying to lick your hand or their paw during this massage, you can apply some cream to the top of another paw or a spot on their leg to lick while you are massaging. Paw Cream is made with natural and organic ingredients, is non-toxic, chemical free, and safe if licked!
Step 4: After you are done with the cream and massage, reach for the Nail Oil. This oil is also made of natural and organic ingredients, is non-toxic, chemical free, and safe to lick. Take and brush the oil onto each nail paying attention for any chipped, split, or cracked toe nails. This oil not only moisturizes the nail, but will help heal up chips, splits or cracks strengthening the nail and helping block out infection.
Step 5: After you have completed each paw, each pad, and each nail, pat yourself on the back for giving your dog a full pampering pawdicure! They will be over the top in love with how good they feel mentally and physically. A job well done.
Step 6: You can give your dog pawdicures on a regular basis. Some dogs will need them year round, and others will only need them during certain seasons. Keep an eye on their paws and pull out your supplies as needed.
You can read more fun dog paw facts here. Also be sure to check out our other posts on how to take proper care of the paws during the summer and the winter!
The answer is NO! Dog Shampoos vary greatly in their ingredients, effectiveness, irritation, fragrances, and colors! You might think the dog shampoo you are currently using is a good quality product, but is it? In this post we explore various ingredients found in commercial dog shampoos (cheap end up to higher end natural brands) and help you decipher what's good and what's bad.
15 Common Ingredients found in Chemical Based & "Natural" Dog Shampoos:
1) Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/Sodium Laurel Sulfates - These are sometimes coded on labels as "coconut based cleanser." Sulfates are added to shampoo because they act as surfactants to bind to grease & dirt to help wash them away. These are what causes "bubbles" when bathing. Sulfates can be extremely irritating to a dog's skin (people's too) and will strip out the natural oils found in a the skin & coat. Many dogs become extra itchy afterward, causing dander and flakes to appear on the fur. Prolonged exposure to sulfates can produce target organ damage and ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. Allergic reactions can also appear on dogs.
2) Cocamide DEA/Cocamidopropyl Betaine - These are sometimes coded on labels as "coconut based cleanser." Cocamides are also detergents added into shampoos to "add more bubbles," but also to thicken a shampoo so it comes out in a glob. Like sulfates, these ingredients cause skin and eye irritation. In lab experiments, exposure to high doses of these chemicals have been shown to cause liver cancers and precancerous changes in skin and thyroid.
3) Glycol Distearate/Stearate - these are waxes added in to make the shampoo shiny. I don't think your dog cares if their shampoo is shiny or not! This is an unnecessary ingredient, and although they only cause acute oral toxicity, and skin and eye irritation, they are still toxic!
4) Dimethicone/Cyclomethicone - methicone's are silicone oils used to smooth down the fur, while adding thickness and shine. These attributes aren't so bad unless you are using a dry shampoo on your pet. Methicone's that can be inhaled cause the most harm. And when this chemical decomposes, it can form toxic gases!
5) Paraben - these are added to act as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth. The side effects of having parabens absorbed through the skin or ingested can contribute to the development of cancerous tumours in people, so why risk cancer in our dogs?
6) Phenoxyethanol - many "natural" products contain this ingredient as a preservative instead of using a paraben. It can also be used in the fragrance of a shampoo. Its chemical structure is similar to parabens and have similar side effects like allergic dermatitis.
7) Propylene Glycol - Propylene Glycol is a cosmetic form of mineral oil and works as a humescent, which creates retention of moisture. This chemical is also a skin irritant and "repeated exposure may cause flaking of the skin," states DOW Chemical's MSDS. In shampoo, it is supposed to work at holding moisture in the skin, but using the shampoo regularly causes skin dryness.... talk about a Catch 22!
8) Diazolidinyl Urea - this is used as a preservative. To use this chemical, people have to make sure their skin is covered and seek medical attention if their skin comes in contact with it. One is also supposed to induce vomiting if ingested according to Spectrum Chemical. Dog shampoos do not need to contain this preservative! There are many natural preservatives like Vitamin C and Rosemary amongst others.
9) Polysorbate 20/80 - Although it's derived from a natural ingredient, it is not natural--it is an ethoxylated compound which means the un-hazardous polysorbate is treated with 20 "parts" of ethylene oxide causing a carcinogenic compound. Polysorbates are usually added as emulsifiers to shampoo to hold in fragrance and increase surfactant properties.
10) Glyceryl Oleate - this chemical is used in the fragrance and to help as a surfactant. There are high concerns for irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs which can wreak havoc on your pups skin - especially if they are extra sensitive. Your pooch doesn't need to stay smelling like cucumber melon or blueberry swirl after their bath, just a clean dog is the best way to go.
11) Sodium Benzoate - this is used used as a preservative and for fragrance in shampoos. It can cause serious eye irritation. Other studies state it is hazardous to the skin and can be toxic to the blood, reproductive system, liver, and central nervous system. Again this is an unnecessary ingredient!
12) DEA (diethanolamine) - DEA is used as a wetting agent to help with lather in a shampoo. Cancer Prevention Coalition states DEA can react with other ingredients in the formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.
13) Phthalates - these are used when making artificial fragrances for shampoo because they make the scent last longer by acting as a plasticizer. They are known endocrine disruptors which means they can disrupt the hormone levels in the body. Pregnant dogs should definitely avoid having shampoos with pthalates put on them to avoid any developmental birth defects.
14) Fragrance - the term Fragrance is what many companies use to keep their scent a secret. You have no idea what chemicals or natural ingredients they are using to add a scent. It is generally safe to assume the word fragrance = chemical, otherwise the scent would be promoted as a natural or organic ingredient like lavender essential oil or a blend of natural plant derived scents.
15) Color/FD&C's - Color? Why do dogs need to have a color in their shampoo? The only reason colors are added is for human aesthetic purposes. The actual chemical makeup of colors and dyes only leads to increased dryness or irritation on your dog.
So now that your head is spinning, take a deep breath and ask yourself: Do I care what I'm bathing my favorite pooch with?
With PETfection Puppy Suds Shampoos you absolutely don't have to worry about any chemicals! Every single scent of shampoo we offer is made from saponified oils like coconut, jojoba, and olive. The fragrances are all essential oil based and are non-toxic by themselves when diluted. In fact, many of our oils are considered food-grade which means they are safe for ingestion. You won't have to worry about your pooch licking themselves and ingesting any toxic chemicals after their bath! All of our shampoos work great on sensitive dogs and puppies too because they are gentle without sacrificing good cleaning quality. :)
Happy Bathing!
