The Dogs Paw and Common Ailments
- E. J. Wass
- Oct 12, 2025
- 3 min read
Paws are amazing things!
Of the 319 bones, on average, that comprise a dog's skeleton, a handful of those (so to speak) are dedicated to the paws. Along with bones, dog feet include skin, tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and connective tissue. For more interesting facts about dogs paws follow this link:
Paws are made up of the following five components:
I took this photo of one of my own dogs paws. When I zoomed in on the photo of the metacarpal pad, I was amazed to see that it looked like this ...
... so I decided to do a bit more investigation! The outer layer (which looks like a miniature forest on the zoomed photo) is made from a substance called keratin, this is an entirely normal appearance.
In a condition called Hyperkeratosis the skin on a dogs paw pads (or sometimes the nose) becomes especially thick and hard. This can be painful and as the skin cracks it can lead to infections and lameness. Hyperkeratosis has been linked to zinc deficiency in some cases.
Please look at these links for more information and natural treatments for Hyperkeratosis:
Our dogs paws do a lot of work and are at the mercy of the elements and the dogs owners common sense.
The pads have a lot of jobs to do. They provide insulation, they are shock absorbers, they are brakes and accelerators. So proper care of your dogs paws is essential to keep him active and comfortable.
Read this article for some natural but effective ways to help keep them in good condition.
Interdigital Cysts
Another common condition, especially in certain breeds are Interdigital Furuncles, sometimes also referred to as interdigital cysts. These are painful lesions which can occur on the webbing between dogs’ toes. If your dog is limping, licking or chewing on their paws, or you notice something amiss about their paws, you should check closely for furuncles, which look like red, hairless, raised bumps between their toes.
There are natural methods of helping to soothe these the irritation of these painful lesion, including Epsom salt foot soaks, and natural balms (see link https://naturaldogcompany.com/dog-licking-paws/ ) but in some cases antibiotics will be needed from your vet.
Following the four simple steps to a healthy dog should help prevent furuncles and many other health issue too too:�
1. Vaccinate less
2. Choose fresh, whole foods
3. Build good health
4. Reduce the toxic chemical load
Click the link below to learn more about interdigital cysts and how to treat them at home …
The Importance Of Nail Maintenance
The next important aspect of paw care is keeping your dogs nails trimmed. So what’s the big deal?
The first consequence of long toenails is painful feet. When a dog’s toenails contact hard ground, like a pavement or your kitchen floor, the hard surface pushes the nail back up into the nail bed. This either puts pressure on all the toe joints or forces the toe to twist to the side.
Either way, those toes become very sore, even arthritic. When the slightest touch is painful to your dog, he will fuss when you pick up his paw to cut nails.
As a rule of thumb, a dog's nails should be trimmed when they just about touch the ground when he or she walks. If your pet's nails are clicking or getting snagged on the floor, it's time for a trim.
The second consequence of long toenails is more serious. All animals rely on information from nerves in their feet to move through the world and process gravity accurately. Read the full article from Dogs Naturally Magazine here which includes lots of advice on nail trimming ..
In addition to a pair of nail clippers, I personally have @Dremel 7020-PGT Pet nail grinder, which I find easier to use with less chance of impinging on the quick inside the dogs nail. Other types of file including those made from board, glass and stainless steel are also preferred by others, and different equipment and techniques will work better with differing breeds of dogs.
And finally, did you know that at the end of each of your dogs legs, there is a Teddy Bear? Go check and you’ll find one on every paw 😊 🐾
© Written by E. J. Wass, No bull just natural health for dogs.
