5 replies to this topic

[lauren43]

This is when I miss DaViking.  I know that sometimes the type of food you feed effects the durability of your dogs pads.  A friend of mine has a lab that loves to play fetch.  Love love loves it!  But she continually rips her paw pads apart. I asked if she has soft pads or dry cracked pads and she said they are very dry.

 

Does anyone believe diet could play a part?  And if so, is there a brand of dog food that could be recommended?  I assume working dogs, esp search a rescue dogs need solid tough pads, which is why DaViking came to mind.

[naturalfeddogs]

That's a good question. I've never even thought about it. It will be interesting to see what replies are.

[Prey Model Raw]

I think that conditions like this are too multi-factorial to place it all on diet. Sure, I think that diet could play a role but we wont ever know if it's not due to genetics, some kind of fungal infection, autoimmune disease, etc. 

 

What I would try is increasing the amount of zinc to the dog's diet. Zinc is important for tissue formation and function. Apply castor oil to paw pads three times daily  will harden them, but only apply if there are no open wounds. 

[blacksheep]

One of the main problems with dogs is Zinc deficiency.  Make sure there is enough Zinc and omega 3.  Fish oil can be bought at just about any store (medicine section of regular supermarkets, food section of natural markets.)  

 

But like Natalie said, you don't know till you have it checked out.  Could be bacterial, viral, or genetic.  Or it could be that the dog just needs a break because the paws didn't wear into their work (like shoes.)  

[lauren43]

How would you add zinc to a dogs diet?

[Prey Model Raw]

You can add a supplement to their diet. I think there are also Zinc supplement treat out there too....