Anti-Bacterial Gel on feet

Gone2Dogs · 12-31-2012, 12:23 PM

Hi, I was at a dinner party and one of the guests told me that she rubs anti-bacterial hand gel (for humans) on her puppy's feet every day. Her purse-dog stays mostly indoors, whereas my Basset snoops around dirty city streets.

She all but accused me of being a bad Dad for not doing the same as her, but I question whether it is a good idea to use these gels so much: could it harm the dog's immune system or cause problems if they lick their paws?

Healthy dogs have been around long before the anti-bacterial craze! Thanks for any facts you may be able to provide!

Vectisvagrant · 12-31-2012, 01:48 PM

I haven't got any facts but dogs have done without for 'many' years LOL, how about mouth wash

?

Edit to say, I've been brought up to believe a little dirt every day is one of the best things for our immune system!

Wioleta · 12-31-2012, 02:16 PM

I would be worried about putting something on my dog if it wasn't meant for dogs. They do lick their fur and paws and that could be a problem.

Regular exposure to everyday dirt and germs seems to be good for us, as vectisvagrant has already mentioned.

Esther · 12-31-2012, 02:46 PM

isnt that stuff mostly rubbing alcohol?
that sounds pretty dangerous to me

Lisa and joey · 12-31-2012, 02:56 PM

If your talking about anti bacterial gel. It is alcohol based so I wouldn't of even thought of putting that anywhere near our hound. Sounds really dodgy to use that on a dog!! X

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3kbasset · 12-31-2012, 07:53 PM

I would never do this

FranksMum · 01-01-2013, 09:04 AM

And neither would I although when my bitches were nursing a litter, I'd give their feet a wipe with a much diluted antiseptic wash to make sure they didn't walk infection into the nest after they returned from going out to empty.

What this person is doing sounds way ott to me!!

Jnfr · 01-01-2013, 10:09 AM

the only time I clean my dogs feet (outside of a bath) is when they are tracking something thru the house

Lisa and joey · 01-01-2013, 10:35 AM

I wipe ours with non fragranced baby wipes, he loves waddling about in the mud outside and we have cream carpets :/ paw prints everywhere lol x

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bubbad · 01-01-2013, 11:01 AM

Maybe suggest to your friend that you hope she isn't doing more harm then good by doing that (could she be a bad mom) the alcohol could dry out the pads which may make them crack open.

12-31-2012, 12:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gone2Dogs Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 7	Anti-Bacterial Gel on feet Hi, I was at a dinner party and one of the guests told me that she rubs anti-bacterial hand gel (for humans) on her puppy's feet every day. Her purse-dog stays mostly indoors, whereas my Basset snoops around dirty city streets. She all but accused me of being a bad Dad for not doing the same as her, but I question whether it is a good idea to use these gels so much: could it harm the dog's immune system or cause problems if they lick their paws? Healthy dogs have been around long before the anti-bacterial craze! Thanks for any facts you may be able to provide!

12-31-2012, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vectisvagrant Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Isle of Wight. UK Posts: 313	I haven't got any facts but dogs have done without for 'many' years LOL, how about mouth wash ? Edit to say, I've been brought up to believe a little dirt every day is one of the best things for our immune system! Last edited by Vectisvagrant; 12-31-2012 at 01:50 PM.

01-01-2013, 10:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jnfr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 1,843	the only time I clean my dogs feet (outside of a bath) is when they are tracking something thru the house __________________ Jnfr Sophie (ATB (1996-2010) Abby (ATB 2010 - 2012) Jake (2001 - ) Ellie (2012 - )

12-31-2012, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wioleta Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 427	I would be worried about putting something on my dog if it wasn't meant for dogs. They do lick their fur and paws and that could be a problem. Regular exposure to everyday dirt and germs seems to be good for us, as vectisvagrant has already mentioned.

12-31-2012, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Esther Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,544	isnt that stuff mostly rubbing alcohol? that sounds pretty dangerous to me

12-31-2012, 02:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lisa and joey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Devon, England Posts: 402	If your talking about anti bacterial gel. It is alcohol based so I wouldn't of even thought of putting that anywhere near our hound. Sounds really dodgy to use that on a dog!! X Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

12-31-2012, 07:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
3kbasset Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 866	I would never do this

01-01-2013, 09:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
FranksMum Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: S.West UK Posts: 480	And neither would I although when my bitches were nursing a litter, I'd give their feet a wipe with a much diluted antiseptic wash to make sure they didn't walk infection into the nest after they returned from going out to empty. What this person is doing sounds way ott to me!!

01-01-2013, 10:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lisa and joey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Devon, England Posts: 402	I wipe ours with non fragranced baby wipes, he loves waddling about in the mud outside and we have cream carpets :/ paw prints everywhere lol x Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

01-01-2013, 11:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
bubbad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boiling Springs,Pa Posts: 1,741	Maybe suggest to your friend that you hope she isn't doing more harm then good by doing that (could she be a bad mom) the alcohol could dry out the pads which may make them crack open.

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