SOLHEDS Derma-products – Support for Paw and Pad Care
Paw Care for Dogs in Demanding Conditions
Extreme temperatures and changing weather conditions place significant stress on a dog’s paws and paw pads. During winter, sub-zero temperatures, ice and moisture can challenge paw health, while in summer hot asphalt and bitumen may cause irritation and damage.
Active and working dogs, such as hunting dogs, agility dogs and other sporting dogs, benefit from preventive paw care, especially when approaching periods of increased activity. When paw pads are in good condition, they are better able to withstand:
physical stress and repeated use
harsh surfaces
exposure to road salt and environmental irritants
Regular inspection and maintenance of the paws help prevent common paw problems and support long-term paw health. A high-quality paw cream helps maintain the skin’s elasticity, supporting the natural resilience of the paw pads.
Keep paws clean
Paw Hygiene and Protection
Dirty skin and paw pads are more prone to damage and infections. Roadbase, gravel, salt, and pitch from roads put stress on paws, and sharp objects can cause small or larger scratches. Broken skin increases the risk of infections.
For basic paw care, Derma4 Gentle Shampoo is an ideal product. Water alone is not always enough; even a small amount of Derma4 Gentle Shampoo helps keep paws clean, including the skin surface. When the weather is muddy, rainy, or icy, wash paws and the abdomen at least once a week with diluted Derma4 Gentle Shampoo to remove salt and pitch without aggressively stripping the skin of its natural fatty acids. Avoid sulphate-based shampoos as they can remove the protective fatty acids from the skin too aggressively.
If the skin is broken, scratched, or red, use Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo, which is antiseptic and supports skin healing. Always ensure paws are thoroughly dried after washing, as moist skin is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens.
Paw Hair Management
For dogs that need good grip, it is beneficial to keep the hair around the paws short. Long hair can collect dirt, snow clumps, and reduce the traction of the paw pads. If grip is not a priority, longer hair can provide extra protection against environmental elements. Be aware that long winter hair can easily trap snow between the paw pads, which may cause discomfort or slipping.
Moisturize Paws as Needed – The Best Paw Balm for Dogs
Fatty acids are essential for maintaining normal skin function, providing protection, and enhancing skin elasticity, which is especially important during physical stress. For proper paw pad care, the water-free Derma10 Heel Balm is an ideal solution.
Benefits of Derma10 Heel Balm:
Improves paw pad elasticity
Enhances tolerance to wear, cold, and harsh conditions
Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue
Apply as needed. In severe cold, daily application is recommended, as micro-cracks can easily form in paw pads and worsen if left untreated. A good routine is to apply balm after nail trimming. In winter, you can also apply a thin layer between the toes to help prevent snow and ice buildup. Applying balm to paw pads overnight is a recommended practice to maintain skin health.
Characteristics of a Good Paw Balm:
Fast-absorbing
Contains essential fatty acids that support healthy skin
Does not block the skin or interfere with natural temperature regulation via paw sweating
Avoid:
Thick, occlusive ointments or wax-based products (e.g., vaseline, paraffin, waxes)
Daily use of strong active ingredients such as pitch oil, tar, sap, or tea tree oil
Many natural products contain potent phytobiotics (plant-derived antibiotics) intended for problem areas, not for daily paw care. Derma10 Heel Balm melts on the skin, absorbs quickly, and is safe for everyday use to maintain healthy paw pads.
Packaging and Product Safety:
Always use a sealed bottle or tube to prevent contamination, such as from fingers. Open containers pose a risk to product safety.
Start paw care early, especially if your dog’s pads are prone to dryness and cracking. Proper routine care protects the paws, maintains elasticity, and prevents micro-injuries.
Learn more about product safety for animal care here.
Cracked Paw Pads and Paw Problems – Care and Prevention
Under heavy use or extreme activity, a dog’s paw pads can wear down, crack, or develop micro-tears. The most common cause of cracked paw pads is dry skin and reduced elasticity. Regular preventative paw care, such as moisturizing with a quality paw balm, is essential to maintain healthy paw pads and prevent injury.
Cracked paw pads should be treated carefully as wounds due to the high risk of infection. Derma5 Germ Fighting Cream is effective for managing and healing cracked paw pads. Derma6 Wound Oil can also be used where a liquid form is more practical. For extra protection and hydration, Derma10 Heel Balm can be layered on top, helping to maintain skin elasticity and protect against wear, stress, and cold weather.
The skin between the toes is delicate and particularly prone to infections. It is often a reactive area in dogs with allergies. Wet or damp conditions further increase the risk of furunculosis, commonly known as “paw infections.” Maintaining clean and dry paws is critical. More guidance can be found in sections covering allergic skin care and infected skin care.
In problem situations, it is important not to block the skin’s natural function with thick ointments or waxes. Many microbes responsible for severe paw infections are anaerobic, thriving in low-oxygen conditions. Overly thick or occlusive layers of ointment can create the perfect environment for these bacteria to multiply.
With skin conditions causing problems it is important to contact the vet early.
Preventive Care for Paw Pads and Paws
Regular care of paw pads and paws is essential in preventing damage caused by wear, weather, and physical strain. Clean and dry skin and paw pads form the foundation of healthy paws, as dirty and moist skin is significantly more prone to irritation, skin damage, and infections.
For preventive care, Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care Spray is an excellent choice. This fast-absorbing, moisturising spray contains beneficial fatty acids that support the skin barrier and help maintain healthy paw pads. Prepare for muddy conditions, road salt, and increased strain by starting paw care already in autumn. Derma9 absorbs instantly, does not stain indoor surfaces, and helps keep paw pads in good condition even during challenging weather.
After walks, clean and inspect the paws and apply Derma9 to clean, dry paw pads 1–2 times daily. The spray can also be applied to exposed abdominal skin for added protection against dirt. Derma9 leaves a dirt-repellent surface while simultaneously moisturising and caring for the skin, making the dog easier to keep clean and reducing tangling in longer hair.
If the paw pads become dry, switch to Derma10 Heel Balm for more intensive care.
Regularly check the skin between the toes and the paw pads, and always keep paws clean and dry. Consistent preventive care strengthens the paw pads’ resistance to wear and strain. Preventing skin problems is far more effective than treating damage and irritation once it has already developed.
Preventing Snow Clumps in Paws and Coat – Safe Winter Care for Dogs
During winter, especially in wet or slushy snow, snow can easily accumulate between paw pads, toes, and in longer coat areas such as the legs, chest, and so-called “pants” (feathering). These snow lumps can make walking difficult and even painful for dogs. Preventing snow buildup is therefore an essential part of winter paw and coat care.
Snow accumulation can be minimized by keeping paw hair short and lightly applying Derma10 Heel Balm to the hair. It is important to avoid thick, waxy creams or balms, which can block the skin’s natural function.
Additionally, snow clumps in the coat can be effectively reduced using Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care spray. The spray helps prevent snow from sticking to the fur and makes it easier to remove any clumps that do form. Avoid silicone-based products, as they can interfere with the skin’s natural function and tend to accumulate in the coat, requiring harsh detergents (e.g., dishwashing liquids) for removal – which are not recommended for skin or fur.
Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care spray and Derma10 Heel Balm are safe, skin-friendly, and ecological choices. They wear off naturally during use and are safe even if dogs or cats lick their paws or coat after application. Using these products ensures healthy skin, and tangle-free fur throughout the winter season.
Sport Dog Paw Care – Protecting and Maintaining Paw Pads under Heavy Stress
Paw Pads under Intense Strain
Active sport dogs, such as agility, hunting, and service dogs, place exceptional stress on their paws and paw pads. The harder, rougher, and less flexible the surface, the greater the strain on the paw pads. This stress primarily manifests as wear on the paw pad’s textured grip surface. When the grip surface wears down, the pads can become as soft as a puppy’s, increasing the risk of injury.
Dog owners often overlook this issue, mistakenly thinking thinner paw pad skin is normal. In adult dogs, paw pad skin should remain elastic, provide grip through its texture, and be thick enough to withstand heavy use.
Risks of Thinning Paw Pad Skin
When the textured surface wears away, the skin thins and becomes more prone to injury. Slippery paw pads increase the risk of slipping. In agility and other high-intensity sports, rapid turns, lunges, and sudden stops accelerate this wear, making protective care essential.
Common Paw Injuries in Sport Dogs
Brake Wear: Especially along the edges of the paw pad, the skin can crack or even ulcerate. These injuries may go unnoticed unless the paw is carefully inspected, including the sides of the paw pads, which are hidden when the paw is closed. Worn areas often appear shiny, and pigmentation may be lost.
Micro-Cracks: Fine lines on the paw pad surface deepen with increased strain or cold weather and can easily split. Micro-cracks are often unnoticed until they worsen.
Skin Breaks from the Surface: Walking on gravel or training on crushed stone can leave impressions that pierce the skin. Broken skin always carries an infection risk and is painful for the dog. Light-colored paw pads are more prone to damage than darker ones.
Importance of Regular Paw Care
Paws subjected to heavy strain require consistent care to support skin renewal and prevent excessive thinning. When signs of wear appear, daily care for 1–2 weeks can help restore and protect the paw pads.
Apply Derma10 Heel Balm over the entire paw pad, including the side areas.
Pay special attention to the tips of the toes, which dry out, wear, and crack easily.
The balm absorbs quickly and does not make paws slippery, so it can be applied before training or competitions.
Derma10 contains essential fatty acids (Omega-3, -6, -7, and -9) to support skin renewal and resilience.
What to Avoid in Sport Dog Paw Care
Thick, poorly absorbing fats and waxes that block the skin’s natural function, including paw sweat and temperature regulation.
Strong active ingredients such as tar, resin, pitch, or high-concentration essential oils are intended for problem situations, not daily maintenance.
Preventive Care Strengthens Paw Pads
Regular, preventive care enhances the paw pad’s durability and reduces the risk of cracks and other skin injuries. It is always easier and safer to maintain healthy paw pads than to treat damage after it occurs.
FUNCTION OF PAWS
Paw Pads – The Dog’s Contact with the Ground and Load-Bearing Surface
Paw pads are the primary contact points between a dog and the ground, bearing the majority of mechanical stress during movement. Over time and with regular use, paw pads naturally harden and thicken, improving durability and resistance to wear. Gradually increasing activity during a puppy’s growth helps paw pads develop correctly and stay healthy. The rough, textured surface of the paw pads also provides natural traction on slippery surfaces, supporting balance and mobility.
Paws and Temperature Regulation
Dogs regulate body temperature by panting and sweating through their paw pads. As the only area where dogs can sweat, the paws play a vital role in heat management. It is crucial not to block paw pad function by using thick creams or waxes that can clog the skin and interfere with sweating.
The Sensitive Skin Between Paw Pads
The skin between paw pads is delicate and prone to injuries. Moisture, dirt trapped in crevices, small abrasions, and road salt can all increase the risk of infections and skin irritation. Regular paw cleaning and care using appropriate, high-quality paw care products is essential for preventing skin damage, maintaining healthy paw pads, and supporting overall paw function.
For a dog’s paws, it is recommended to use a paw balm that is safe and specially developed for this purpose.
Absorbs easily.
Contains fatty acids that support the skin barrier and skin elasticity.
Does not contain substances that block the skin or impair its function, such as waxes, paraffin, or petroleum jelly.
Strong active ingredients (e.g., tar, honey, essential oils, resin, antibiotics) are not suitable for daily use – these are intended for problem situations.
For winter use, a water-free balm is recommended.
Derma10 Heel Balm is well suited for safe paw care in both summer and winter.
Paw balm is usually needed when the paws are exposed to:
High activity,
Cold or hot weather,
Or when the dog’s skin requires it, for example due to atopy or itchy skin.
Regular care helps prevent dryness and cracks. Derma10 Heel Balm is suitable for safe daily use.
Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care is an excellent light treatment for preventive care started early.
Paws should be cared for as needed, depending on wear and skin dryness:
The greater the wear or the drier the skin, the more frequent the care – sometimes even daily.
A good routine is to apply balm whenever trimming the nails.
If there is already wear or microcracks, a 2-week intensive treatment is recommended.
Derma10 Heel Balm is suitable for both maintenance and intensive care.
A safe paw balm for puppies is professionally developed and formulated for sensitive skin.
Absorbs easily.
Contains fatty acids that support the skin barrier and skin elasticity.
Does not contain substances that block the skin or impair its function, such as waxes, paraffin, or petroleum jelly.
Strong active ingredients (e.g., tar, honey, essential oils, resin, antibiotics) are not suitable for daily use – these are intended for problem situations.
For winter use, a water-free balm is recommended.
Derma10 Heel Balm is ideal for safe paw care for puppies in both summer and winter.
A good paw balm is safe and specially developed for paw care. Paw waxes, on the other hand, often contain occlusive waxes that block skin pores and reduce skin function, such as sweating and temperature regulation, so they are not suitable for daily care.
Absorbs easily.
Contains fatty acids that support the skin barrier and skin elasticity.
Does not contain substances that block the skin or impair its function, such as waxes, paraffin, or petroleum jelly.
Strong active ingredients (e.g., tar, honey, essential oils, resin, antibiotics) are intended for problem situations, not daily use.
For winter use, a water-free balm is recommended.
Example: Derma10 Heel Balm is suitable for safe care in both summer and winter without impairing the skin’s natural function.
Packaged in a sealed bottle or tube to prevent contamination during use.