In a Nose to Tail check, which statement correctly describes the observation of the paws?

• A. Paws - no cuts, nails at an appropriate length; animal should sit with paws tucked under
• B. Paws - nails trimmed extremely short
• C. Paws - always check for hair between pads
• D. Paws - no cuts, nails at an appropriate length; weight bearing is normal

Answer: (D)

In a Nose to Tail check, you assess how the paws are functioning as a sign of overall limb health. The best observation is that the paws show no cuts or injuries, the nails are at an appropriate length, and the animal is bearing weight normally. No cuts or wounds indicate the paw is intact; nails that are the proper length prevent discomfort or altered gait that can come from overgrown nails or nails that are too short. Normal weight bearing means the animal is distributing weight evenly across the paws, suggesting no pain, fracture, or soft-tissue injury in the paw or leg. While hair between pads can be checked as part of paw hygiene, it doesn’t by itself describe paw health as clearly as these signs do.