A dog owner has revealed why you should always clean - and check - your dog's paws.
Sabrina Giardina, 46, from New York, took to her TikTok - @lovemargot.co - where she urged fellow pooch owners to always check their dog's paws for calluses and ingrown hairs. And the results were shocking.
You can watch the video below, but viewer discretion is advised:
Sabrina is the owner of five-year-old great dane, Margot, as well as three-year-old pups Parker and Viola.
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“Have you seen this on your dogs feet?" the video is captioned, revealing what looks like thick hair under one of Margot's paws.
But once Sabrina starts trimming the 'fur', it soon becomes apparent that it isn't fur at all. In fact, it's actually paw pad hyperkeratosis - excessive dry skin that can form on paws and noses. It can be particularly troubling if left untreated, causing cracking and infections in some cases.
“Margot has it on all of her feet," says Sabrina. "It’s easy to trim after a bath and trimming it causes zero pain, as a matter of fact it makes her feel better.
"It’s similar to a human callus.”
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Other TikTok users were stunned at the video, with one commenting: “Never have I ever seen this!"
While another added: “This was more fun than watching pimples pop. At first I was worried, then disgusted, then satisfied."
A dog groomer also added their expert opinion, commenting: “I'm a dog groomer. Use a clipper with a #10 blade and shave them.
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"They come off very easy and don't risk cutting their pads on accident.”
Another user added: “ Oh wow never knew. Now [you’ll have] me check all my pups paws.”
"This is both gross and deeply satisfying to watch lol," said one.
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In other pet news, we told you how tenants will soon have the legal right to keep pets in their rented homes.
The government's Renters Reform Bill means landlords will have to consider requests to allow pets from tenants.
Many landlords have banned pets from their properties because they tend to cause higher maintenance costs within the home. In 2021, only seven per cent of private landlords advertised pet friendly properties, the government reported.
The Telegraph reports housing secretary Michael Gove will give landlords the powers to request tenants have pet insurance to cover any damage caused by their pet during their tenancy.
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You can read more about that here.
Lucy Devine