Toughening up paw pads?

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Ddog has yet another cut pad - this one's not too bad but it's still sore (made him squeal when it happened) and means restricted exercise for a few days to allow it to heal

The poor thing seems to be a magnet for bits of glass, thorns and anything sharp as this happens several times a year.

He seems to have quite delicate skin on his pads as it hardly ever happens to his friends who're being walked in the same places

Is there anything I can use to toughen them up?

Biotin is sometimes helpful, tiny bit in each feed. You can also get sprays that help protect pads. Make sure some walks are on hard surface too.

The friction caused by walking on hard surfaces causes keratin to be laid down on the pads, so try to do increasing amounts of walking on raod-type surfaces.
Also don't spend too much time on the beach as it acts as a foot file and can leave soft feet excessively exfoliated and tender.

Thanks - he does walk a bit on hard surfaces but he's very much of the opinion that proper walks involve grass, woods and swimming in the river ... I'll have to persuade him that pavements are good for him!

He's exactly right about the definition of proper walks! But a bit of road work will harden his feet.

Pavements also help with nail filing too.

Can you put shoes on him?