If your dog licks and chews his feet, he may have dry skin, allergies or irritating scrapes that are causing him discomfort. Considered an old home remedy, adding Epsom salts -- containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen -- to a warm bath relieves inflammation and pain when absorbed through the skin.
Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water. It should come to a level just above your dog's feet.
Add 2 to 3 cups of Epsom salts to the water and allow them to dissolve. If necessary, stir the water with your hand to distribute the salts throughout the water and aid them in dissolving.
Lead your dog into the tub. Use a leash, if necessary, to control him from trying to escape or drink the water. Keep him in the tub for at least five to 10 minutes to soak the affected areas.
Drain the water and dry your dog's paws with a soft, clean towel. Repeat this process daily as required.
Tips
For cuts, wounds or hot spots on your dog's paw, make a compress by soaking a cloth in the salt and water solution and apply it directly to the area.
Warnings
Do not allow your dog to drink the bath water; Epsom salts are a natural laxative.
Warnings
Do not allow your dog to drink the bath water; Epsom salts are a natural laxative.
Tips
For cuts, wounds or hot spots on your dog's paw, make a compress by soaking a cloth in the salt and water solution and apply it directly to the area.
Items You Will Need
- Warm water
- Epsom salts
- Towel
References
Resources
Tips
- For cuts, wounds or hot spots on your dog's paw, make a compress by soaking a cloth in the salt and water solution and apply it directly to the area.
Warnings
- Do not allow your dog to drink the bath water; Epsom salts are a natural laxative.
Writer Bio
Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder."