— By Natalia Doshi
As Dogs & Pups magazine celebrates 22 years of guiding pet parents, one seasonal challenge continues to show up year after year – monsoon skin troubles. Pawsitive protection this monsoon is a must for your furry friends!
The rainy season creates the perfect environment for moisture, bacteria, and yeast to thrive. While most pet parents focus on keeping their pet’s coat dry, one of the most overlooked problem areas is much lower down: the paws.
Don’t Just Wipe Paws, Clean Them
Many pet parents’ towel-dry their pet’s paws after a walk and consider the job done. But wiping alone isn’t cleaning. Paws come into contact with muddy water, wet grass, and surfaces that may harbour bacteria, yeast, and other irritants. A quick clean using a gentle waterless dry bath can help remove dirt and unwanted microbes before they create problems.
Dry Thoroughly, Especially Between the Toes
One of the biggest causes of monsoon skin issues is trapped moisture. The spaces between the toes and paw pads often remain damp long after the rest of your pet’s body appears dry. In fact, dry doesn’t always mean clean. Moisture trapped between the toes creates the perfect environment for irritation, infection, and excessive licking. After every rainy walk, take a few extra moments to dry the paws thoroughly.
Create A Paw Balm Routine
Repeated exposure to wet surfaces can soften paw pads, weaken the skin barrier, and eventually lead to cracking and irritation.
A quality paw balm helps restore moisture while creating a protective layer between the paws and the environment. Look for non-sticky, lick-safe formulas designed specifically for dogs.
Products containing probiotics can also help support the skin barrier and microbiome, helping paws stay healthier and more resilient throughout the season. Ask your vet to suggest the best options.
Don’t Ignore the Licking
Many of you may notice your furry friend licking his paws but assume it is simply a habit. Long before redness, infections, or skin flare-ups become visible, the paws are often the first place pets show discomfort. Excessive licking, chewing, redness between the toes, or a yeasty odour should never be ignored. If you see any of these signs, take your pet to the vet!
Don’t Skip Weekly Baths
A common misconception is that dogs need fewer baths during the monsoon. Regular bathing helps remove dirt, allergens, and unwanted microbes before they contribute to skin irritation. This is especially important because the monsoon exposes what summer started. Small irritations and weakened skin barriers can build up over time, while added humidity simply makes those problems harder to ignore.
Monsoon skin care is not about bathing more. It is about paying attention sooner. Clean the paws properly, keep them dry, protect the skin barrier, and watch for early warning signs. Because when it comes to monsoon skin problems, the paws are often the first place to look.
(Natalia Doshi – Founder & CEO, Doctor Petlittle)