Adrienne is a licensed dog trainer and a former veterinary assistant who collaborates with some of the world’s top vets.
If your dog’s paw pads are cracked, consult your veterinarian to determine the root of the issue before taking any further action.
Why Are My Dog’s Paws Cracked?
“Many different factors, usually originating from where your dog walks frequently and the environment you live in, can cause dry, cracked paws,” says Dr. Megan Conrad, a veterinarian based in Oregon.
One of the most frequent causes of dried-out paws is cold weather. The combination of indoor heating, snow, and ice during the winter can dry out your dog’s skin.
Summer’s heat could also spell trouble for dog paws. They can quickly dry out on surfaces like hot sand or pavement, which causes hard calluses that are more brittle. Due to the drying effects of both chlorine and salt, dogs who frequently swim in swimming pools or the ocean may be even more vulnerable to problems.
Dogs frequently lick their paws in an effort to relieve itchy paws brought on by allergies, which can result in red, irritated, and inflamed paws, according to Dr. Conrad. According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF), breeds like Beagles, Bichon Frise, West Highland White Terriers, and Poodles are particularly prone to this issue.
Other potential reasons for dry, cracked paws in dogs include:
There are a number of indicators that something is wrong with your dog’s paw pads. You may notice:
Just like chapped lips and dry skin hurt us, dogs who have cracked paws often experience pain and frustration.
Make an appointment with a veterinarian if your dog exhibits other alarming symptoms like redness, swelling, odor, yellow or green discharge, or bleeding, or if its paws are dry and cracked and it won’t leave them alone. They can assist you in determining the source of the issue and receiving the appropriate cracked dog paw pad treatment, according to Dr. Conrad.
However, if the dryness and cracking are only slight, you can try to treat them at home first.
How to Treat Cracked Dog Paws
“Dogs are usually very good at healing, so their paws should get better on their own over time,” says Dr. Simon.
Here’s how to support the healing process:
Step 1: To remove any irritants, wash the paw pads with lukewarm, soapy water. Rinse well.
Step 2: Before going outside to play and at night, apply a dog-friendly paw balm or moisturizer in accordance with the directions on the label. Rub it in as much as possible.
Step 3: If necessary, use a temporary buster collar to prevent her from chewing or licking at her paws.
Also, pay attention to what may cause dry paws. This is a persistent problem for some dogs, particularly in the chilly winter months. Early relief from the signs of cracked paws can be achieved by having dog paw balm on hand.
It’s important to stick with non-toxic, dog-friendly paw balms and moisturizers because your puppy might be tempted to lick off anything you put on her paws.
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Highlights
Things to Consider
Key takeaway It is relatively common for dogs to have cracked paw pads since regular paw usage often causes wear and tear. However, while some roughness is to be expected, your dog’s paw pads should never bleed or cause them pain. Cracked paws can indicate a serious underlying health issue, so talk to a vet immediately if your dog’s paw pads are dry, brittle, peeling, or cracked.
As a dog parent, you are familiar with every aspect of your dog, including their body language and the thickness of their coat at different times of the year. Additionally, you are aware that dogs enjoy grooming themselves, especially their paws. Most dog owners don’t spend a lot of time worrying about their dogs’ paws, but occasionally they may notice that the pads are dry or cracked. Dogs can walk outside without shoes because their paw pads protect them from rocks and other sharp objects, but they should never be rough or cracked. But of course, some cracking is common due to the daily stress that your dog’s paws experience.
Dogs who spend most of their time in the yard and rarely go for walks typically have smooth paws, but dogs who enjoy going on outdoor adventures and long hikes with their pet parents will have tougher paws because they’re walking on pavement, rocks, and dirt. However, your dog’s paws shouldn’t ever be so badly cracked that they hurt or bleed your dog. Various factors, such as normal wear and tear, underlying medical conditions, and injuries, can result in cracked dog paws. The causes of cracked dog paws will be covered in this article, along with remedies you can use to soothe your dog’s discomfort and avoid infection.
Because your dog uses their paws for a variety of activities, including running around outside, cracked dog paws are common. Rough dog paws, however, may be a sign of anything from minor to major problems, such as:
Some dogs may have paws that are more cracked than others because dog paws experience normal daily wear and tear. Dogs who spend the majority of their time indoors have smoother paws than those who spend a lot of time outdoors or on paved surfaces. However, anything from ice outside to harsh chemicals used in carpet cleaning solutions can cause paws to crack. Contact itchiness is common, but unless your dog starts chewing on their paws or doesn’t give them enough time to heal, it shouldn’t worry them.
Dogs may experience contact dermatitis from a variety of things, such as stepping on outdoor debris and other sharp surfaces, such as a hiking trail with tree branches. Additional ways that sidewalks can irritate your dog’s paw skin include For instance, abrasive surfaces like sidewalks can irritate your dog’s skin. Therefore, despite being sturdy, paw pads can still sustain damage from daily use of sidewalks.
In the summer, hot asphalt and pavement can also crack and burn your dog’s paw pads. In light of this, it is always advisable to check the pavement’s temperature before walking your dog. If its too hot, walk them on the grass instead. Swimming is another summer activity that can result in dry or red dog paws because chlorine can irritate the skin.
Winter also increases the likelihood of skin drying out and cracking. In the winter, your dog must walk on ice and salt, which dries out the paws and can cause them to crack and bleed. Your dog may experience frostbite in extremely cold temperatures, which can turn their paws red.
Depending on the cause, contact irritation may only affect one or all of the paws. For instance, in the winter, dogs with itchy paws may start limping to protect them from the cold, and in the summer, they may decide to walk on the grass because the pavement is too hot.
In addition to allergies, other common causes of cracked dog paws include skin irritation and itching. Dogs may experience foot itching due to allergies to pollen, mold, mites, food, and nearly anything else in the environment. 1 Dogs who chew on their paws may suffer from allergies or a dog rash, in which case the only way they can stop itching is by biting or licking their paws The unfortunate thing is that licking this region can result in yeast infections between the paw pads, which can cause even more chewing and even bleeding paws. 2.
Any type of allergy may cause paw itching, and some dogs are more susceptible to allergies than others. In addition to scratching other parts of their bodies, dogs with allergies may also sneeze, have dandruff, or have watery eyes.
Skin conditions in dogs can result from a diet low in zinc. Lethal acrodermatitis is a condition that causes skin lesions on the paws, head, and face. 3 However, puppies typically exhibit this nutritional deficiency the most. So if your adult dog has cracked paws, it is unlikely that a nutritional deficiency is to blame, especially if they consume a balanced diet.
When a dog has an acral lick granuloma, they lick themselves so much that they develop small lesions on their skin and lick those lesions until they grow larger. When a dog is hurt, their natural instinct is to lick themselves to help them recover. But it can also make minor skin conditions worsen and infect. Given that they lick themselves to groom themselves or to pass the time when they’re bored, dogs can develop acral lick granulomas at almost any time in their lives. When they experience anxiety, it might also turn into a compulsive behavior. Unfortunately, dogs can lick a particular area so much that they leave an open wound that never heals. 4.
Dogs lick themselves for a variety of reasons, and you can’t always stop your dog from licking their paws, so there is no way to prevent this condition. During surgery, veterinarians remove infected tissue to promote healing. Pet owners must, however, prevent their dogs from licking the lesion once it develops, which may entail using techniques like bandaging them. The majority of affected dogs will be given antibiotics to aid in their recovery and prevent infection. Theyll also likely receive topical medications. 4.
autoimmune diseases, such as hyperkeratosis, which causes the skin on the paw pads to thicken due to an accumulation of keratin, can also result in cracked dog paws. 5 Dog paws that are peeling frequently are caused by the skin being pushed from the inside; if this condition is not treated, it can lead to fissures and infections. The weather, fungus, parasites, and other immune disorders can all contribute to hyperkeratosis. However, it can also be genetic. 5.
Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism are two hormonal disorders that can result in skin infections and dry or cracked dog paws. 1 These imbalances ultimately have an impact on the health of the skin and fur, resulting in persistent paw dryness or lesions. Symptoms of Cushings disease, which typically affects adult to senior dogs, include thinning skin that is damaged by normal wear and tear as well as excessive thirst and urination. 1.
A sex hormone imbalance with abnormal levels of estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone can also cause dry or cracked paws in dogs. 6 This condition known as hyperandrogenism, which most frequently affects intact males, results in abnormalities of the reproductive tract and skin conditions like dandruff, hyperpigmentation, and cracked paw pads. 6.
Due to the body attacking itself in a number of autoimmune conditions, immune cells attack and destroy healthy normal cells, resulting in red dog paws or cracked paws. 1 Canines with autoimmune diseases frequently develop blisters and cracked paws.
Additionally, liver disease can result in chronic infections, crusting, thickening, blisters, and cracked paw pad lesions that do not heal. 1 Dogs with liver disease may wear down their paws more quickly than dogs in good health, leading to contact irritation wounds that bleed more readily. Dogs with liver disease may have cracked paw pads because they aren’t getting the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy because the liver is involved in nutrient absorption and metabolism. 1.
The condition known as hepatocutaneous syndrome can affect the dog’s lips, nose, paw pads, ears, and the area around its eyes in addition to the liver. 7 Although it’s a rare condition, it can result in peeling paw pads and is more common in dogs with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. 7.
Taking good care of your dog’s paws can help avoid infection and cracking. To ensure they are healthy and our dog isn’t experiencing any severe cracking or bleeding, consider inspecting them once a week. Signs to look out for include:
Cracked paws can be a sign of a serious health issue, even though they are typically caused by normal wear and tear, salt or ice, or hot pavement. Dogs with worn-out, cracked paws may lick them more frequently or limp when they are uncomfortable. However, they typically dont experience symptoms of illness. Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can if they exhibit any of the following symptoms: bleeding, lethargy, or brown discoloration. These signs could point to a serious underlying medical condition.
FAQ
What causes dogs paw pads to crack?
Wear and tear is possibly one of the most typical reasons for cracked paws. Ice melt and floor cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can irritate and crack your dog’s paws, warns Dr. Ryan. “Also, walking on hot pavement can result in paw blisters, and rocky, uneven terrain can result in cuts on the pads.” ”.
Does it hurt dogs when their paws are cracked?
Just like chapped lips and dry skin hurt us, dogs who have cracked paws often experience pain and frustration. Make an appointment with a veterinarian if your dog exhibits other alarming symptoms like redness, swelling, odor, yellow or green discharge, or bleeding, or if its paws are dry and cracked and it won’t leave them alone.
How do I stop my dogs paws from splitting?
- Keep Nails Trimmed. …
- Trim Hair Between Paw Pads. …
- Do Regular Paw Checks. …
- Moisturize and Massage. …
- Ease Into Outdoor Exercise. …
- Protect Dog Paws in Winter. …
- Protect Dog Paws in Summer. …
- Watch for Excessive Licking and Chewing.
Is it normal for dogs paw pads to be rough?
Depending on the terrain your dog frequently walks on, you might notice that your dog’s paw pads are either smooth and soft or rough and calloused. Your dog’s paw pads will become more calloused if you frequently take them on hikes or regular walks on asphalt because of the exposure to rougher terrain.