What to Do When Your Dog’s Paw Pad Is Injured

Paw pads are like shoes for arndog: they absorb shock and protect the dog’s sensitive paws fromrnheat, cold, and debris. These remarkably tough parts of your dog’srnbody are essential to your dog’s health and comfort. But what happensrnif a paw pad is injured? Here’s what to know and what to do.

Whatrnare paw pads used for?

Thoughrnyou may not have paid much attention, you likely are familiar withrnyour dog’s paw pads: the dark, spongy parts on the bottom of yourrndog’s paws that leave a recognizable “paw print” in mud.rnMade of fat, tissue, and thick skin, the pads protect your dog’s pawsrnand aid in stability. And because the bottoms and the paw pads arernrough, they help your dog get traction in all kinds of terrain.

Whatrncauses dog paw pads to rip?

Thoughrnyour dog’s paw pads are extremely tough, they can still be injured.rnThey can becomernitchy because of a minor cut, allergies, or an infection.rnOr, they can be more severely injured, even ripped–they may, inrnextreme cases, even become ripped from the paw entirely. But don’trnpanic! With careful attention, paw pads can heal and even grow back.

Howrndo you prevent paw injuries in dogs?

Pawrnpad injuries are often preventable. Scout out areas where your dogrnmay be playing, and remove things that might injure your dog’s pads,rnincluding broken glass, debris, or chemicals. Steer your dog awayrnfrom superheated or cold surfaces, which can injure your dog’s pads.

Yourncan also protect your dog from disease and injury with a lifetimernwellness planfrom your veterinarian. It’s simple: you make an interest-freernmonthly payment, and in return, you gain access to diagnostic testsrnfor your pet and often unlimited office visits. You can choose from arnrange of plans and coverage. Your dog, and your dog’s paw pads, willrnthank you.

Howrndo I know if my dogs paws are damaged?

You’llrnlikely know quickly if a dogrnpad injury is plaguingrnyour pet. Here are some signs:

• Worryingrntabout the pad with excessive licking

• Reluctancerntto put weight on the hurt paw

• Bleedingrntor leaking

• Limping

Howrncan I treat my dogs paw injury at home?

Yourrndog’s paw will most likely need attention from a trainedrnveterinarian. However, some less severe injuries can be handled atrnhome. Here is what to do for a cutrnon dogs paw pad or arntorn paw pad:

1. Cleanrntand remove debris.
   Carefully remove debris like thorns, nails,rntglass, or rocks from your dog’s paw pad.

2. Rinserntthe wound with cool, clean water.
   This is especially importantrntif you think your dog’s paw pad has been burned. rnt

3. Applyrntantibacterial ointment.
   Gently massage an antibacterialrntointment into the wound to prevent infection.

4. Bandagerntthe wound.
   Wrap the wound with a bandage to protect it andrntprevent bleeding. rnt

5. Monitorrntthe healing and change the bandage daily.
   The tricky part inrnttreating paw pad injuries is keeping the dog from licking the wound.rntDogs instinctively want to tear off bandages and lick wounds, butrntlicking the wound can introduce bacteria and cause a delay inrnthealing or even infection. You may have to use a surgical cone andrntlimit your dog’s activity for a while. You might also experimentrntwith boots specially designed to protect healing paws.

Therngood news is that even with a dogrnripped paw pad or arndog paw pad ripped offrnnot bleeding, paw padsrncan grow back. It just takes time and care.

Ifrnyour dog’s paw pad is hurt and needs expert care, and you’re in thernNortheast Florida or Orlando area, you can schedule an appointment atrnone of our clinics. Our knowledgeable veterinarians will dress thernwound and work with you to create a plan to heal your dog’s paw andrnprevent similar injuries. Schedulernan appointment today.