Poodle Feet: How to Clean and Shave Them

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If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about your poodle’s feet. But did you know that regular grooming can help keep your dog’s feet healthy and free of problems? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some simple tips for grooming your dog’s feet. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dog has happy and healthy feet for years to come!

Many dogs dislike having their paws touched, which can make grooming and veterinary visits more difficult. To avoid this, it is essential to get them used to this from puppyhood, by handling their paws regularly and offering lots of praise and treats.

However, some dogs are extra sensitive about their feet being touched, which can indicate underlying allergies leading to inflamed and itchy paws. In such cases, it is crucial to manage their itchiness before handling their paws. Allergic reactions can be caused by environmental factors, such as pollen or dust, or food allergies, which can be identified by an elimination diet.

By addressing the underlying cause of their sensitivity, we can help our furry friends feel more comfortable with paw handling, reducing stress and making necessary grooming and veterinary procedures less stressful for them.

Why Do Poodle Feet Need Shaving?

Shaving your dog’s feet today means that your pet won’t track as much dirt into the house, harbor ticks or thorns, soak up food, mud, and water, or spread messes around your home.

Another benefit from shaving your poodles’ feet is that keeps your dog from slipping and sliding on floors. According to some experts, shaving your pet’s feet also helps to keep your poodle cooler during hot weather.

How often should poodles have their feet shaved?

Since a poodle’s hair continues to grow fast and knots easily, it’s necessary to shave your dog’s feet every 3-6 weeks or as needed to prevent a painful matting and detangling process later. Some poodles are shaved every few months, while others are only shaved once or twice a year.

How to Clean Your Poodles Feet

Cleaning your poodles’ feet doesn’t have to be difficult. 

Here are a couple of good ways to get your poodle’s feet soft and clean again: 

• Fill a pan, sink, or bath with a couple of inches of warm water, some poodle-friendly shampoo, and let your pet walk around in it for a few minutes to remove any dirt.
• Use unscented baby wipes to wipe off pads and claws for a quick fix.
• Get the Dexas MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner

After you clean and shave your poodle’s feet, check for any cuts, scrapes, growths, parasites like fleas or ticks, or anything else unusual that you might want to discuss with your vet. 

How to Trim and Groom Poodles’ Feet

• Select the correct size clipper blade. This is particularly important if you own a show dog. The higher the blade number, the closer a shave you will get.
• If your poodle is a light-colored poodle or has sensitive skin, you might want to consider avoiding an ultra-close shave.
• Next, clean the area and remove any debris.
• Brush your poodle’s cuffs up and out of the way.
• Pay attention to which direction the hair is growing. You’ll want to follow and cut in the hair’s direction to get a natural look.
• Start with the hair that grows on top of your poodle’s paws.
• Angle the corner of the trimmer and move it up and across from left to right.
• With your free hand, use your thumb and ring finger to gently spread your pet’s claws to make space between them. This makes it easier to shave the space in between the toes.
• It’s best to stay away from the delicate webbing to avoid cuts. You can place a finger over the area to avoid nicking it.
• If your poodle acts restless, agitated, or pulls away, stop for a couple of minutes to give him or her a rest. It’s hard for a poodle to stand on three legs, so it’s okay to take a break.
• Once you’ve finished the top of the foot, lift it to trim any long hair along the underside of your poodle’s paws.
• Shave the hair above the large paw pad. That way, it will match the other side of the foot. The clipper line should be where the foot bends.
• Take a moment to check if the hair is cut evenly all around the paw.
• Clip any uneven areas or stubborn hairs.
• Now you can brush your poodle’s cuffs back down.

What Blade to Use

The American Kennel Club recommends using an Andis clipper such as the Andis AGC Super 2-Speed Professional Animal Clipper for shaving a Standard Poodles’ feet. 

Experts advise using size 15 or 30 blades (depending on your dog’s size). If your poodle has sensitive pads or small feet, it may be best to use a size 15 blade instead of a size 30. Keep in mind that the higher the blade’s number, the shorter the cut. 

For shaving and grooming a poodle’s feet, you’ll want to make sure that you use a finish clipper blade at 3/4 HT and 3/4” cut. This is the longest blade cute that is available. The cutting surface measures 5/8” across the blade. 

If you’re focusing on delicate areas between toes or have a Toy Poodle, consider using the Dutch Clip-On attachment. It’s perfect for grooming small feet. 

You can also get an attachment for an Andis clipper. Comb attachments are great for shaving sensitive pads or clipping between your pet’s toes for a nice, groomed look.