Some possible explanations:
Frozen paws. If this seems to be the problem, gently wash their feet with warm (not hot or cold) water, so as to avoid injuring frozen paw tissue. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get booties to stay on most dogs, but occasionally they work. Give your dog a quick test-drive at the pet-store to see if they seem to be a good fit.
Toenail pain. Notice a "click-click-click" as your dog walks? Time to trim your dog's nails. Just a simple broken nail can bleed profusely and put your dog in a lot of pain. At the center of each toenail is the blood and nerve supply for the nail, called the quick. Some tips:
- If you have never done this before, reduce the possibility of traumatizing your animal -- which will make future nail trimmings much more difficult -- and ask your vet to demonstrate.
- Use nail trimmers specifically designed for dogs, and cut dark nails in several small slivers to reduce the chance of cutting into the quick. Cut the nail at a 45-degree angle, so that it does not hang over, level with the paw. When your dog steps down, their nails should not touch the floor.
- In the event that you make a mistake and cut the quick, use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding, or use silver nitrate products from your veterinarian's office or pet store. If the bleeding does not stop, bandage your dog's paw for about 15 minutes.
- The more regularly you trim, the more the quick will recede into the nail, making your job easier over time!
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