Being the primary source of sweating and contact with the outside world, dogs paw pads are like mini Swiffers that pick up whatever they walk on a day-to-day basis. This includes harmful cleaning products, air sprays, pesticides, herbicides, pollen, dust, mold, dust mites, and more.
Pets also do not wear protective clothing like we humans do, such as socks and shoes. This means that theyre naked and are exposed to whatever allergens & particles are in their surroundings.
They also bathe a lot less than humans. While humans shower once a day, some dogs only get washed once a month or less. The paws build up a pretty good amount of toxins and allergens during this time. This can enhance allergic side effects (licking, chewing, etc.) and irritate paws.
Furthermore, the paw pads and nose are the only places dogs sweat. When the paws are damp, they become even more susceptible to picking up particles in their surroundings. But with a simple paw soak, you can ensure clean and allergen-free paws for comfort and health.
Homemade Foot Soaks For Your Pets
To remedy this obsessive licking, set up a foot soak. For small-breed dogs, you can set up a foot soaking station in your kitchen sink or laundry room drop sink.
At my house, I have a walk-in shower, so I just hose them off in there.
Other possibilities include putting a large plastic tub in your mud room or attached garage. Fill up the tub with water, then add iodine (found at most local pharmacies) until the water solution turns the color of iced tea. Some of my clients with giant breed dogs use a kid’s plastic swimming pool for foot baths, and some clients simply dunk their pets’ feet in a bowl….whatever works!
I recommend povidone iodine or Betadine® solution because it’s naturally antifungal, antiviral, safe, non-stinging, non-toxic, and non-abrasive. It’s a very effective disinfectant for your pet’s paws.
You can either have your dog simply walk through the tub a few times, or stand him in it for about 30 seconds. Then pat the paws dry with a towel.
Another option is to just cover his paws with pads soaked in the water and iodine solution. Keep them on for about two minutes, then remove and pat the paws dry. Research shows that soaking the paws is more effective than “dunking,” so either technique will be more effective than simply using a washcloth to remove contaminants.
To apply betadine on your dog, gently wipe the wound with a washcloth saturated with the betadine solution. You can do this up to twice a day for minor sores or skin infections.
Your dog certainly will enjoy taking a dip in the water and cooling off in the upcoming summer months. Having betadine on hand will keep you prepared in case unexpected lesions come up. Stay proactive and keep your pet first aid kit stocked with the right items. You will be able to act quickly if something comes up. One more advantage? Treating any wounds or scrapes at home will save you a trip to the vet, as well as the bill that will come with the visit!
Betadine is a fantastic item to keep in your pet fit aid kit. It is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic used to treat wounds. Since this may not be a solution that will work for every pup, here are some things to consider when using betadine on dogs.
Alternatively, some owners may have considered using hydrogen peroxide or even rubbing alcohol to clean wounds. Hydrogen peroxide isn’t as strong as betadine. It can kill the healthy tissue around an injury, increasing healing time. Rubbing alcohol may be useful for smaller cuts. However, it can dry out the skin, which will also slow down healing time.
Next, you must consider the proper application of this product on your dog before using it. Let’s say you are treating your dog for hot spots. Hot spots are a common issue caused by an overpopulation of your dogs’ natural bacteria that grow on their skin. When an infection arises from a dog’s bacteria, it is almost always a root cause of hot spots. Luckily, something like this is easy to treat with betadine.
How to Use Betadine for Dog Wounds
There are several Betadine formulations on the market. Before choosing one, its a good idea to do some homework. For instance, consider that the scrub version contains povidone-iodine and a detergent, making it suitable only for use on intact skin. You therefore want to look for a version containing 10% iodine in it that doesnt contain the detergent and has lower cytotoxic effects.
FAQ
Does Betadine help itching in dogs?
Is Betadine good for dog rashes?
Can I put Betadine on dog paw?