What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? Dogs are naturally active animals who often use their paws to explore their surroundings. Unfortunately, this puts their paw pads at risk of injury. Minor cuts and scratches to serious burns or hypothermia are all possible injuries to paw pads.
Every dog owner must understand how to treat these injuries and avoid them in the future. From understanding the causes to providing first aid and securing proper healing, this thorough guide will take you through every step of handling paw pad injuries
What makes a dog’s paw pads important?
Is the saying “put your best foot forward” familiar to you? This usually means going into a new scenario or difficulty with a positive outlook. However, it’s also important that our pets physically “put their best foot forward.”
In other words, your dog’s health is greatly influenced by his or her paws. Your dog’s tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones enable them to run, walk, and play. And your dog’s paw pads help make it feasible for them to do so safely and comfortably.
How do you use paw pads?
You likely know your dog’s paw pads—the dark, spongy areas on the bottom of your dog’s paws that make a unique “paw print” in mud—even if you haven’t given them a lot of attention. The pads, which are composed of thick skin, tissue, and fat, provide stability and protection for your dog’s paws. Furthermore, the rough paw pads and bottoms give your dog a grip on a variety of surfaces.
Why do dog paw pads break?
What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? Even though your dog’s paw pads are very durable, injuries may still happen. An infection, allergies, or a small cut might cause them to become itchy. In addition, they can get serious injuries, such as being pulled—in extreme cases, they might even be torn off the paw. But avoid getting stressed out! Paw pads may recover and grow with proper care.
- Understanding Paw Pad Injuries
- Common causes: hot pavement, rough surfaces, chemicals.
- Signs: limping, licking, bleeding, swelling, difficulty to walk.
- Immediate First Aid
- Clean the wound with mild antiseptic.
- Stop bleeding with gentle pressure.
- Apply a non-stick bandage.
- Manage pain with vet-approved medications.
- When to See a Veterinarian
- Deep or large wounds.
- Signs of infection (pus, swelling, odor).
- Persistent pain or refusal to walk.
- Home Care and Healing
- Keep the wound clean and dry.
- Prevent licking with a cone or boot.
- Limit activity to promote healing.
- Preventing Future Injuries
- Use dog boots for protection.
- Avoid extreme weather conditions.
- Regularly inspect and moisturize paw pads.
- Act Quickly and Stay Proactive
- Early intervention prevents complications.
- Regular care ensures long-term paw health.
How may paw injuries be avoided in dogs?
Injuries to paw pads are usually minimized. Examine areas in which your dog might be playing and clear away items like chemicals, broken glass, and trash that could harm your dog’s pads. Never allow your dog near extremely hot or cold surfaces, as this could cause damage to their pads.
Your veterinarian’s lifetime health plan may help you protect your dog from harm and illness. The process is straightforward: you pay a monthly interest-free fee in exchange for your pet’s diagnostic tests and frequently limitless office visits. Some plans and protection choices are available to you. Both your dog and their paw pads will appreciate it.
How do I know and What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads?
If your pet is suffering from a dog pad injury, you’ll probably be able to tell right away. Here are a few indications:
- Touching the pad by licking it aggressively
- Inability to bear weight on the injured paw
- Leaking or bleeding
- Stumbling
- Treatment for injuries to the paw pads
Take the following actions to better understand your dog’s paw condition and learn how to treat a paw pad injury:
1-Consider your dog as a whole
Train your dog and observe how they behave. You might not be able to safely examine your dog’s foot by yourself if they are in severe pain. The most well-mannered and kind dogs can have bad reactions when they are in pain.
2-Examine the paw in more detail
Examine your dog’s paw carefully from top to bottom, as well as the paw pads and the space between the pads and toes, if you think it’s safe to do so. It’s important to figure out whether your dog has a burn on the paw pad, a cut, flap, penetrating wound, torn nail, or no clear injuries.
You might have to give several forms of first aid care, depending on the injury and issue. The actions listed below are particular to injuries to the paw pads.
3-Remove foreign objects
(if present and safe to remove) and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Using your fingers or tweezers, you may be able to get any small or minor objects that have damaged your dog’s paw pad. But if the object is deeply stuck or possibly damaging a blood vessel, nerve, or joint, do not remove it yourself. Instead, make an emergency vet visit.
4-Make the wound clean
Cleaning the wound is a good idea after the bleeding has stopped. Especially if your dog has a burn, I suggest doing this with cool water as it can help with pain relief and swelling reduction. To help get rid of bacteria and stop an infection, you can also use mild antibacterial soap or disinfectants like betadine or chlorohexidine.
Keep in mind that the wound may bleed a little further while you clean it. Apply light pressure until the bleeding stops if this happens.
5-Use a bandage
What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? You may need to bandage your dog’s foot to keep the wound clean and prevent further injury. (You can also if you don’t have any bandaging supplies, you can use a clean towel or T-shirt to cover a bleeding wound on the path to the veterinarian.) Using clean materials, such as cotton and vet wrap, is important when applying the bandage.
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What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? The Common Causes for Paw Pad Injuries
The thick, padded areas of a dog’s feet that offer protection and traction are called paw pads. Even though they are resilient, they can still get hurt. You can respond quickly to your dog’s injury if you are aware of the typical causes and signs of paw pad injuries.
1) Burns and Hot Pavement
Walking on hot material is one of the most common causes of paw pad injuries. Concrete and cement can get hot during the summer, occasionally reaching 140°F (60°C). In just a few minutes, these surfaces can burn your dog’s paw pads, resulting in blistering, skin peeling, and severe pain.
What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? Before taking your dog on a walk, always use your hand to feel the temperature of the ground. Your dog’s paws will be too hot if it’s too hot for your hand.
2) Sharp or Rough Surfaces
Dogs who like outdoor activities face the risk of paw injuries from rough or sharp surfaces. Their paw pads can get scratched or injured by stones, sand, shattered glass, and even sharp ice. These risks are often observed in urban areas, construction sites, and hiking routes.
Paw Pad Injury Symptoms and Signs
Timely treatment of paw pad injuries depends on identifying their symptoms. Typical signs and symptoms include:
- Supporting one leg or limping
- Excessive consumption in paw chewing or licking
- Burns, injuries, or scrapes that are visible
- Swelling or bleeding
- Inflammation or redness
- difficulty in walking or overburdening the injured paw
Examine your dog’s paws closely and take the necessary measures if you see any of these symptoms.
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First Aid for Paw Pad Injuries Right Away
What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? Providing quick and suitable first aid to your dog when they damage their paw pad will help them heal quickly and avoid complications. Here’s what you should do:
1-Cleaning the Wound
To start, rinse the wounded paw gently with lukewarm water to get rid of any chemicals, dirt, or garbage. Clean the wound with a moderate antiseptic solution, such as betadine or diluted chlorhexidine. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide should not be used since they can harm good tissue and slow the healing process.
2-Cutting Off the Bleeding
Use a fresh cloth or gauze pad to gently push on the bleeding paw. Keep it in place until the bleeding stops, which should take a few minutes. See a veterinarian right away if you have deep wounds that are still bleeding.
3-Putting a Bandage on
After cleaning and drying the wound, cover the paw with a piece of gauze or non-stick bandage. Use a self-adhesive wrap to secure it, but make sure it’s not too tight since this may impede blood flow. To keep the wound clean and keep an eye out for infection symptoms, change the bandage every day.
4-Pain Control
Your dog might have pain from paw pad damage. For guidance on giving a pet-safe pain treatment, such as meloxicam or carprofen, consult with your veterinarian. Never give medicinal products to your dog.
The Home Care and Recovery Process
Your dog’s recovery depends on proper home care. What to Do When Your Dog Hurts His Paw Pads? If you want a speedy and smooth healing of the wound, keep to the following steps:
Keeping the Injuries Clean
Every day, wash the wound with lukewarm water and a mild antiseptic solution. Before applying a new bandage, use a fresh towel to pat the area dry. Until the injury has healed, avoid allowing your dog to walk on moist or dirty surfaces.
Preventing Infections
After washing the wound, use a pet-safe antibacterial ointment, like Neosporin (without painkillers). Use a protective boot or an Elizabethan collar (cone) to keep your dog from licking an injured paw. Licking might slow the healing process and promote bacteria.
Restricting Activities
Healing requires rest. Keep your dog’s activity levels down and avoid away of walks on rocky or rough surfaces. If your dog is very active, you might want to use a kennel or playpen to limit their activity while they heal.
How to Avoid Future Paw Pad Injuries?
It’s always better to prevent than to treat. You can prevent damage to your dog’s paw pads by following a few easy steps:
1-Selecting Proper Footwear
For dogs who like to go on trips outdoors, dog shoes or paw protection are a great purchase. These shoes offer protection from icy surfaces, heated pavement, and sharp items. Make sure your dog can wear the boots comfortably and that they fit correctly.
In the summer, take your dog for a walk in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside. To prevent hot pavement, stay in locations with grass or shade. At home, use pet-safe ice melt solutions and keep your pets away from icy or salted roadways during the winter.
2-Regular Paw Pad checks
Regularly check your dog’s paws for any cuts or cracks Trim the fur between the paw pads to avoid accumulation of trash. To keep your dog’s paw pads from drying out and cracking, apply a pet-safe balm to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Dog paw pad injuries are a common but preventable problem. You can maintain your dog’s paws pain-free and healthy by being aware of the causes, providing quick first aid, and taking steps to prevent them. Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior at all times, and get veterinarian help when needed.
Your dog can continue to explore the world in safety and comfort if they get the right care and attention. You make sure your dog’s paw pads remain safe and injury-free by adhering to these rules. Your pet will be back on their feet in no time with a little love and care!
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