How to remove fur from dog paws at home
If your dog’s fur has grown so long it covers their paw pads preventing them from gaining tracking on surfaces, it’s time for a trim. Long fur between the paw pads can become matted and prevent you from spotting grass seeds, burrs and other objects that can cause discomfort, irritation and infections. As a dog groomer, I’ve come across twigs, stones, dried poo and even chewing gum - twice!
Today I’ll teach you how to remove fur from your dog’s paws demonstrating on Soda.
What you’ll need:
How to remove hair from dog paws at home
It’s fairly easy to trim the fur between you dog’s paw pads, however your dog might get a little bit squirmy if they’re not used to it, so it might be best to get someone to hold them for you. You can remove the fur either using mini trimmers or dog grooming scissors.
I prefer to use the Shear Magic Rocket 4500 battery operated mini trimmers. They’re quieter than other mini trimmers I’ve used, and believe it or not, you’re less likely to cut a dog using mini trimmers compared to scissors. I’ve seen grooming injuries caused by scissors, you can accidentally cut a dog’s paw pad with the tip of the scissors if the dog moves unexpectedly. So if you decide to use scissors please use a pair of straight dog grooming scissors with a rounded tip for safety.
Once you’re ready to start, get your dog to stand and start with the back paws (see tip below). Below you’ll see a diagram where I’ve marked up a triangle around the largest paw pad. We’re going to concentrate on removing the fur around this pad.
[1] If you’re using mini trimmers, turn them on and show them to your dog so they can get used to the noise. Lift up the paw by gently holding the hock. Let the paw relax, so you can see the separation between the large paw pad and the smaller paw pads. If you’re using mini trimmers, very carefully scoop the fur out between the smaller pad and the large pad scooping away from you. Be very light with your scooping motion as you’re shaving the delicate skin between the paw pads so you don’t want to accidentally cut the skin.
[2] What you do once, you do twice, so scoop again. Next repeat the scooping motion on the other side of the large pad.
Note: If you’re using scissors, simply trim the excess fur above the surface of the paw pads. Don’t trim in between the pads, you could easily cut the skin. You’ll just need to trim the fur more frequently than if you use mini trimmers.
[3] Next flip the mini trimmers over and scoop the fur towards you. Scoop twice on both sizes of the large paw pad.
[4] Now we’ll remove the fur sticking out between the four smaller pads. Position the mini trimmers below the dog’s nails and glide the trimmers across the top of the paw pads.
[5] The last thing to do is shave the fur on the back of the large paw pad.
[6] Well done, you dog’s paw should look something like this. Don’t worry if you’ve missed a few hairs here and there, it’s really difficult to get them all and you don’t want to over shave the area as it can irritate their delicate skin. If your dog does get irritated and licks or chews their paws a lot after they’ve been shaved, try popping a cone on them or a cone alternative for a few hours.
Hot tip: Whenever you groom your dog’s legs or paws always start with the hind legs, especially if you’re doing something for the first time and you don’t know how they’ll react. Their back legs are outside of their peripheral vision which means they generally won’t kick up a fuss, out of sight out of mind. Also, if you’re grooming a dog for the first time and you don’t know whether they might try and nip you, it’ll take them a few more seconds to turn around to nip you when you’re working on their back legs so you’ll get more of a heads-up.
Equipment used: Shear Magic Rocket 4500 battery operated mini trimmers
Tips for shaving dog paws
It’s safer to user mini trimmers than scissors
Before using mini trimmers, turn them on and show them to your dog so they can get used to the sound of them
Scoop gently, and only scoop twice in each direction
Over shaving can irritate their delicate skin
Start with the back paws first
I’m a qualified dog groomer and fur-mum to two cavoodles; Soda and Poppy. I’m passionate about the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as helping dog parents groom their dogs at home. I’ll teach you the basics, however if you don’t feel comfortable or confident at any time that’s completely fine, book your dog in for a regular groom and pamper session at the salon. Please never leave your dog unattended on a grooming table.
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