How to Keep a Dog Safe From Burrs

Whether you live in an area that has a lot of burrs, or you plan on taking your dog out for exercise in a field, there are several things that you can do to protect your faithful friend from these painful burrs. It is important to take these steps since burr spines can snap off and cause painful abscesses in a dog's feet.

Instructions

1. Mow your yard frequently. If your yard is full of sand burrs, cockle burrs or other painful spines that can lodge in a dog's feet, it is vital to mow as often as possible. Burr plants usually start producing burrs by late July and throughout the fall. By cutting these plants down before they can produce, you can greatly diminish the overall amount of burrs in your yard.

2. Purchase dog boots. By far, this is the best way to keep a dog safe from burrs. These boots are available from most pet stores and are ideal for dogs that will be hunting or playing in an area where there are burrs.Your dog will need some time to get used to the feeling of wearing boots. It may take a few days for him to begin to walk normally in the boots. Give him enough time and make sure to treat him so that he associate the boots with good feelings.

3. Learn proper removal techniques. It may not be possible to keep a dog safe from burrs. Wear gloves since burrs can penetrate human skin easily. If your dog is calm, tweezers are very effective at removing burrs. Gently grasp the burr with tweezers and slowly pull them out of your dog's feet or coat. It is very important to make sure that you do not leave any spines behind. These can work their way into the skin or foot pad of the dog and later cause an abscess. If there are only single spines left, each one will need to be removed with tweezers.

4. Deal with infections and abscesses. If despite your best efforts your dog has burr spines embedded in her feet or skin, you should treat the area immediately. For serious infections or abscesses, take the dog to the vet for some antibiotics or professional removal of the burr spine. For a slight case, you can treat the affected area with some topical antibiotic cream.

5. Prevention is the best medicine. Keeping your dog safe from burrs may not be the easiest task, but it is very good for their health. Do all that you can to protect them, and inspect their feet and coats after a trip through an area where burrs are present.

Tips & Warnings

• Burr spines are very painful. Always wear gloves and use proper removal techniques to ensure that you do not end up with the burr spines embedded in your own skin.