The slowly ending winter is probably the most difficult time of the year for dog paws. The alternation of frost, melting snow, mud, but especially the action of aggressive road salt creates a literally toxic cocktail on the skin of the pads and between the toes. Let’s help our friends with plain yogurt.
The skin on the dog’s paws dries out, cracks without our help during this period and thus becomes an ideal gateway for yeast and bacteria. While most dog owners just rinse their paws with water after a walk, experienced breeders recommend always having a supply of plain plain yogurt in the fridge for these purposes. This food can relieve irritated paws faster and more effectively than expensive ointments from the pharmacy.
The YouTube channel TlapkaTV explains the possibilities of caring for dog paws in winter:
The healing power of yogurt
What is the secret of the healing power of white yogurt? We are talking about the content of live probiotic cultures that can deal with many skin problems. When salt and moisture disrupt the natural pH of a dog’s skin, its protective barrier naturally weakens as well. This is unfortunately a very convenient time for , which immediately seizes its chance. How do we know them? They are manifested by redness and a typical “popcorn smell”. The dog is bothered by such a situation, so he constantly licks his paws. After all, this is usually the first impulse to take a deeper interest in the cause of his discomfort.
Good bacteria for packs
So now we come to the action of the mentioned white yogurt. It is saturated with beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, and therefore can act as a strong biological shieldwhen in contact with the skin of the feet, these beneficial bacteria displace pathogens and help restore the lost microbial balance. This is a condition that is very good for the dog, and we will feel good that we were able to help him easily and relatively quickly.
Simple and pleasant
The yogurt treatment is very simple and dogs usually perceive it as a pleasant relaxation. After arriving home, the paws must first be thoroughly cleaned of salt and dirt with lukewarm water and thoroughly dried. After that apply a thicker layer of cold to the irritated areas and between the fingers . The temperature is very important in this case, because the cooling effect of the yogurt immediately soothes the burning and itching caused by the dissolved salt residues in the dog.
Try to keep the dog
Yogurt must be left to act for at least five, but better, ten minutes. Some dogs will be coaxed into ignoring the yogurt mask, while others will take to it immediately. If this happens, it is a great advantage that it is a purely natural product that will not harm them in any wayand we can apply it repeatedly. By the time he licks off one paw, there may be a fresh coat of white, tasty medicine on the other.
Which yogurt is the right one?
Even though it is a very simple method, we must not neglect choosing the right yogurt. Forget low-fat options. The only right choice is full-fat, honest white yogurt with live cultures – ideally of the Greek type. It also has the advantage that it is thicker and does not run off the paw. The product must not contain any artificial sweeteners, but mainly xylitol, which is literally poisonous to dogs. It wouldn’t mind so much on the paws, but we still have to take into account that the dog licks its paws.
Yogurt regularly
In addition to immediate relief from salt, yogurt works not only in February but also as a wonderful prevention. Regularly “yogurting” the soles once or twice a week keeps the leather supple and resistant to cracking. It is a cheap and ecological way to prevent the occurrence and development of deeper inflammations, which would later require a visit to the veterinarian.
