Your dog’s paw pads are incredibly important to its overall health, since they are basically the equivalent to the shoes you wear to protect your feet. They help provide your dog’s feet with traction and they absorb shock to keep pressure off joints. So, unsurprisingly, a cracked paw is a huge bummer for your pup.
Thankfully, paw pads are tough and they heal quickly. Small cracks often form and disappear on their own without us even detecting them. But if they don’t, they can be very painful for your pup, and if not treated properly a cracked paw can be detrimental to your dog’s health in the long run. That’s why it’s important to give your pup’s paw pads the love and attention they deserve.
If you live in a colder climate
In general, cold, dry climates are more likely to dry your dog’s pads out, leading to unwanted chapping and cracking. In this case, don’t make the mistake of using regular human lotion for moisturizer. While your intentions may be good, this will actually soften your dog’s paw pads, making them more sensitive in the long run. Preferably, there are special pad moisturizers designed for dogs. “Musher’s Secret” is a well-known and reliable brand. You can also ask your vet for a recommendation.
Living in a cold climate can cause other problems for your dog’s paw pads beyond general chapping and dryness. It’s not unusual for water to freeze between your dog’s pads and toes while going for long walks in the cold. Snow and ice can also cling to the hair between the toes and form balls. This can be incredibly uncomfortable for your dog as it exacerbates any existing dryness or cracking.
On top of that, salt and chemical mixtures are commonly used in cold climates to deice the streets and sidewalks you and your dog walk on every day. As you can probably imagine, having salts and chemicals stuck to your chapped paws or wedged between the toes only makes cracked paws worse. To avoid the pain that icy walks can cause your pup, be sure to use a warm cloth to wipe off his paws after walks in the cold. This has the added bonus of keeping your floors and carpeting extra clean in the winter. You can also coat the spaces between the toes with petroleum jelly to discourage the snow and ice from sticking.
If your dog’s paws are bleeding
Whether it’s ice, a thorn, or some other sharp object, sometimes despite your best efforts to keep your dog’s paw pads healthy, they still crack. If your dog’s paws are bleeding, soak the paw for 10 minutes in a warm Epsom salts solution diluted according to package directions. Carefully dry the foot with a towel or hairdryer set to the “low” setting. If the bleeding has stopped and the crack isn’t too deep, you can place a children’s sock over the foot to protect it, making sure to carefully monitor your dog to be sure he doesn’t remove the sock or chew on it.
If the bleeding continues, or the crack is exceptionally deep, you’ll need to seek veterinary care for pain relief and possibility antibiotics. Your veterinarian may also elect to bandage the foot for protection. Never bandage a foot yourself, as it’s quite easy to get them too tight and compromise circulation.
If your dog’s paws keep cracking
It’s not unusual for your dog to get cracked paws every once in a while, especially if it makes sense given the circumstances. For example, hiking in a thorny area or taking an unusually long walk in the cold. But if your dog’s paws are cracking continuously, it could be indicative of bigger health problems.
A healthy dog should be able to walk, run, and play outside without cracking his paws. If you find that you’re routinely noticing cracked pads on your dog’s feet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get the problem checked out.
If you’re not sure how serious it is
When it comes to your dog’s health, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially for something as important as paw pad health. If you’re unsure of the seriousness of your dog’s paw problems, don’t hesitate to give your vet a call to schedule a visit. Your pup will be paw-fully thankful that you’re looking out for him!