If your dog or cat is suffering from allergies and/or resulting yeast infections of the paw (i.e. candida), or has come into contact with poisonous and/or toxic substances - giving your dog or cat a foot soak is very important to reduce discomfort, help treat the symptoms, remove harmful residue and stop your dog’s or cat’s need to lick and chew his/her paws. Toxins left on the paws can migrate into the dogs blood stream, and over time increase your dog's toxic load, compromise his/her immune system and trigger the development of cancer.
If your dog’s paws have come into contact with road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides it is very important to ensure that you remove the particulate and/or residue from these substances right away. Even if you cannot see anything on your dog’s paws - if he/she was walked on or brushed against surfaces or plants that are treated with these substances, a residue will be present on your dog’s paws, fur or skin. The toxic chemicals found in these substances can make their way into your dog’s blood stream by passing through your dog’s skin or when your dog licks his/her paws, fur or skin.
The most affective way to remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from your dog’s paws is to provide your dog with a 30 second foot soak. Depending on the size of your dog, you can do afoot soak in the bowl or basin, sink, bathtub, shower or in a small children’s pool.
It is important to note that dunking/placing your dog’s or cat’s paws in the soaking solution is not as affective as soaking the paw for 30 seconds. After the soak just pat your dog’s or cat’s paws dry - do not rub them dry as rubbing can cause irritation.
Foot Soak Recipe #1 - To Remove Toxins, Disinfect Paw Wounds, Treat Yeast Infections - Warm Water and Iodine
Iodine is a naturally occurring water-soluble element. Iodine is an excellent disinfectant as it has both anti-fugal and anti-viral properties, it is alsonon-toxic for dogs (but should not be ingested, just used topically). Iodine is a common disinfectant carried by most pharmacies. To remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from the surface of your dog’s paws - this soak can also be used to reduce itchy, inflamed, and other wise irritated paws…
- Fill the container you are using with warm water;
- Add enough iodine to make the water turn the colour of ice tea;
- Have your dog or cat stand in or hold his.her paw in the the water/iodine solution for 30 seconds;
- Then pat your dog’s or cat's paws dry.
Foot Soak Recipe #2 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties(primarily from the acetic acid and malic acid in ACV). To make this paw soak combine one gallon of water with one cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak your dog's or cat's paws in the solution for 30 seconds and then just pat their his/her paws dry.
Foot Soak Recipe #3 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, fresh squeezed Lemon Juice and Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint contains cooling essential oils (such as menthol) and has antiseptic and slightly anesthetic properties. To make this paw soak combine one gallon of water with one cup of apple cider vinegar, the fresh juice of one lemon and 20 drops of peppermint essential oil. Just soak for 30 seconds and then pat your dog's or cat's paws dry. Find out more about all of the health benefits of fresh lemon for dogs, here
The Following Herbs can also be Added to the Recipes Above...
Chamomile - chamomile is a non-toxic soothing all natural additive. Just add a few chamomile tea bags to the liquid solution wait a few minutes and then soak your dog’s feet in the solution. You can also prepare the tea as you normally would (as you would to drink it), just wait for it to cool down and add it to the liquid solution.
Green Tea - green tea (use decaffeinated only) is a non-toxic and rich in antioxidants - an aid to healing. Just add a few green tea bags to the liquid solution wait a few minutes and then soak your dog’s feet in the solution. You can also prepare the tea as you normally would (as you would to drink it), just wait for it to cool down and add it to the liquid solution.
The recipes listed above should be used three or four times a week if you are treating a yeast infection, or irritation due to allergies.
Foot Soak Recipe #4 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Rooibos Tea and Lemon
Rooibos is a naturally anti-allergenic and also contains a significant amount of AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) making rooibos tea an aid to the healthy growth and maintenance of skin. To see the recipe for rooibos foot soak and read about the benefits of giving your dog rooibos tea as part of a daily diet you can read this article 'Rooibos Tea for Dogs - Immune System Health, Cancer Inhibitor, Allergy Mediator'
You can also use plain apple cider vinegar between foot soaks - just put it in a spray bottle, spray your dog’s paws and then pat dry.
Don't bother with fancy store bought concoctions. They are not necessary and not better…you have what you need to work an excellent treatment with just the simple off-the shelf items I have mentioned above.
Lathering your dog’s paws with ointments, salves and lotions may make the irritation worse as allergens, toxins and dirt can get trapped underneath the ointment. It is better to use one of these soaks and then keep your dog’s paws dry and clean.
If your dog does have a yeast infection (i.e. candida) you really need to treat the symptom (i.e. itchy, irritated paws that may smell like corn chips), as well as the issue. It is important to note that in the case of a yeast infection Prednizone and antibiotics can make the condition worse as they further suppress the dog’s immune system and antibiotics kill the good bacteria in a dog’s gastro intestinal tract (GI tract) - further allowing the candida (bad bacteria) to flourish.
A kibble which is primarily grain based can cause an overproduction of candida in a dog's digestive system and this leads to yeast infections. Also if he/she has sugar in her diet it can destroy the good bacteria in her digestive tract. Good bacteria prevents bad bacteria from taking over - an over abundance of bad bacteria causes yeast infections. To understand how to choose a good kibble for your dog you can read this article.
If your dog does not have a super sensitive stomach, you can add a little plain yogurt to his/her diet. This will help increase the good bacteria in the gastro GI tract. Adding other fresh whole foods, coconut oil and herbs also boosts the dog’s immune system which helps fight off infections.
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