Dog paw pads (also known as toe beans) need care and attention from time to time. If you think about it, they really are barefoot and on their toes all day – and shoes aren’t really part of the routine.
In this article, we’re going to explain what dog paw pads are, and give you tips on how to care for your dog’s paws whether it’s winter, summer, or in-between seasons. We’ll also answer the famous question of the century: ‘should my dog wear boots in winter’ . It comes up every year!
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What are paw pads?
Dog paw pads are the soft cushiony and furless part of your dog’s feet. They provide support, traction and padding when walking and carrying their weight.
Dog paw pads are made of skin, connective tissue, fat, and keratin and consist of a digital pad (the beans or toes) the metacarpal pad (the larger bit in the middle) and also the carpal pad (that weird bit hanging off at the top – it might have been a thumb!).
A dog’s front paw pads are called metacarpal or palmar pads, and their back paw pads are called metatarsal or plantar pads.
Does your dog bite their paws? Yup, it can happen. Learn why in our article: why does my dog bite their paws?
Dog paw pad care guidance
To care for your dog’s paw pads, you should check them regularly for any signs of irritation, cuts or cracks. Check in-between their toes and trim the fur if your dog has longer hair so that they keep their grip on harder surfaces.
Paw pad care in the winter
In the winter, continue checking between their toes and looking over their paw pads to spot any signs of a dog paw pad injury. It depends on where you live; but winters can sometimes be very intense in some places. We recommend trimming the fur around their paws so they don’t build ice and keep traction.
Here’s some more tips for paw care in the winter.
- Wash your dog’s paws after walks: This will help to remove any salt, grit, de-icer or anti-freeze products they may have picked up when walking on the ground outside.
- Limit time outside if it is icy: At the beginning of winter, your dog’s feet may need to adjust and toughen up to the dropping temperatures. Go for shorter walks at first, and build up the time as you go.
- Use boots or shoes: Dog boots and shoes are popular these days. If your dog has sensitive paws or you’re planning on spending more time outside, shoes are worth considering to prevent dog paw pad injuries. It’s better to start training your dog to wear them before winter so by the time comes, they are ready to go.
- Consider paw wax: Products like Mushers wax are great to help protect your dog’s feet outside.
- Pay attention to your dog’s behavior: If your dog is licking their paw pads, or gnawing away and biting their paws, it can be a sign of irritation or injury. Keep up your regular checks to avoid problems getting bigger, and get on top of them on time.
Paw pad care in the summer
In the summer, sidewalks and floors can get incredibly hot. Here are some tips on how to prevent any burns or issues:
- Walk when it’s cool: Sounds obvious, but some people forget it. Aim to walk your dog early in the morning when the temperature has dropped overnight, and the floor is, well, not lava. Your dog’s paws will thank you. If you want to know more about this, our article “when is it too hot to walk my dog” goes much deeper into it.
- Check their paw pads: Check your dog’s paws after going for walks to make sure there are no burns, grazes or cuts.
- Moisturize dry or chapped dog paw pads: Take care to not use too moisturizer, as it will soften the paws and potentially weaken them. Only use a little to keep them tough enough for your dog to walk on.
Common paw pad issues
There will come a time when your dog has issues with their paws. That’s ok, it’s part of life! Among some of the most common ones are:
Cracked and dry pads: These can particularly be a problem if the paw pads split or the skin becomes broken.
Cuts and burns: If your dog walks on hot surfaces or runs around on rough ground, it can cause burns or friction burns to the surface of the paw. Ouch.
Fungal or Bacterial infections: Yep that’s right, dogs can often experience fungal or other skin infections between their toes.
Allergic reactions: If you see your dog licking their paws or redness, it might mean they are allergic to something.
Overgrooming causing skin problems: Pain, stress or other discomfort can make your dog lick their paws a lot. Licking can mean a build-up of bacteria though, which can make them sore or even infected.
Overgrown nails: Claws are not always worn down enough. Overgrown nails can often cause problems to the paws to the point where they can even change the way your dog will walk.
What to do if your dog injures their paw pads
Learning some basic first aid for your dog’s paws will always come in ‘handy’. If they hurt their paw, while we do recommend you seek the help from experts like your vet, here are some bits you can do at home:
Cuts and broken skin: Clean the area up with a salt solution and then keep it clean and dry. Common products used to help skin heal are Manuka honey and colloidal silver. If you put these on, you should definitely wrap their paw up in a bandage, otherwise your dog will take no time in licking everything off.
Dry sore skin: Keep the area clean and use a dog-safe moisturizer or wax to help hydrate and soothe sore skin. You could also wrap or use a paw boot to cushion walking around and prevent them overlicking their paws.
Burns: Cool the area as soon as possible by running it under cold water, and seek veterinary advice immediately after. They may give you painkillers or suggest your dog’s paws to be treated further with an antibiotic ointment or something similar.
How to care for your dog’s paw pads
To protect and care for your dog’s paw days day to day, here are some things that are easy and simple for you do to do:
- Train your dog to wear boots to protect their paws from extreme cold/heat or dangerous surfaces.
- Keep their nails short so that they don’t cause discomfort or cause trouble for walking normally. Not sure how to trim their nails? Our article “how to clip a dog’s nails” will give you all the details.
- Trim the fur between their paw pads to allow for better grip and traction.
- Clean your dog’s paws after walks, and check them regularly for any cuts or sore parts.
- Use a protective wax if they’re prone to dry out, get sore or cracked.
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FAQs:
Should you moisturize a puppies paw pads?
Paw pads are generally self-cleaning and the oils in their skin should help keep them moisturized by themselves. If they are too soft from using too much moisturizer, they risk getting damaged when walking on rough surfaces…which we don’t want.
How do I get my dog used to checking their paws?
Practicing handling exercises like paw checking and nail trimming should be taught with positive reinforcement. This is very simple to do; get ahead of the game by reading our health articles or by downloading the Zigzag app.
Should I buy dog boots?
They’re not super necessary unless you live in particularly cold weather where they salt the sidewalks and roads. But if you want to train your dog to wear them, it’s better to start early before the winter hits to ease them into it and make sure they have a good time wearing them.
