The Drby field guide

Dog care.

Short, practical notes on paws, teeth, coat, bath day and life with a dog. Everything we wish we'd known with our first dog, about a minute each.

My dog is…

A tube of Drby paw balm in fresh snowFeatured

Why salt is hard on paws

Road salt melts ice, but it's rough on your dog's feet. Here's what it does, what to watch...

Fresh notesSee all notes
First dog· 1 minute read

Teaching your dog to love paw handling
Coat & bath· 2 minute read

Bath day for dogs who hate bath day
Coat & bath· 1 minute read

Freshening up between baths
Teeth· 1 minute read

Bad breath and other signs to watch in your dog's mouth

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PawsCracks, licking, salt, mud → TeethBrushing, breath, chews → Coat & bathBath day, smells, shedding → FoodPicky eaters, treats, what to feed → Training & playLeash, games, good habits → First dogAdopting, the first week, what to buy →
30-second check

Winter paw check.

Look at your dog's paws after the next walk. Tick anything you see.

Nothing ticked? Nice.

Keep up the wipe after salty walks.

Worth a little care.

A thin layer of balm before walks and a wipe after usually helps.

Read the 1-minute note
Time to call your vet.

Bleeding, swelling or a limp that won't go away needs a professional look.

A note from us

We're dog people, not vets.

Owning a dog is a lot, and the internet rarely agrees on anything. These notes are what has worked for us, plus what we've learned from other dog owners and experts along the way. They're here to help you feel a little less lost, not to replace a professional. When in doubt, ask your vet.

~ Wenny & the Drby pack

If it looks serious

Skip Reddit. Call your vet.

Seizures, trouble breathing, eating something toxic, bleeding that won't stop, or your dog just isn't themselves: call your vet or an emergency clinic right away.

Ask Wenny

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Ask anything about paws, teeth, coats, food or training. The good questions become the next notes.

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