Paw Pad Care: Preventing Cracks, Cuts and Burns

Your dog's paws carry them everywhere — across hot pavements, muddy trails, wet grass and gravel paths. Yet paw pads are one of the most overlooked parts of a dog's body. A quick daily check and a few simple habits can prevent most cracks, cuts and burns before they turn into painful problems.

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Why Paw Pads Need Attention

A paw pad is thick, tough skin designed to absorb shock and grip the ground. But it is still skin, and it can dry out, split, blister and bleed. Dogs rarely complain until a problem is advanced, so by the time your dog is limping, a small crack may already have become a sore. Cats need paw care too, though dogs — who walk outdoors far more — face the greatest wear and tear.

Healthy pads feel smooth and slightly springy, like a firm rubber eraser. They may be black, pink, spotted or a mix of colours — colour alone means nothing. What matters is texture: rough, flaky, hard or peeling pads are asking for help.

Cracks and Dryness

Dry air, cold weather, rough ground and frequent washing all strip moisture from pads. Small surface cracks are common and usually harmless, but deep cracks can bleed, catch dirt and invite infection. Older dogs and dogs that walk daily on rough concrete are most prone.

Keep pads supple by moisturising once or twice a week with a paw balm or a small amount of coconut oil, massaged in at bedtime so it soaks in rather than wiping off on the floor. Never use human hand cream or petroleum jelly on cracked pads — some products are toxic if licked, and greasy coatings can make paws slippery. If a crack is deep, bleeding or not improving within a few days, have a vet look at it rather than continuing home care.

Cuts and Scrapes

Broken glass, sharp stones, thorns and metal edges are the usual culprits. After every walk, run your fingers over each paw and check between the toes, where small objects hide. If you find a shallow cut, rinse it gently with clean water, pat dry and keep it clean for a few days. Trim the fur between the pads if it mats, since matted fur traps grit against the skin.

Watch for limping, licking one paw more than the others, or a paw held off the ground — all signs something is stuck or sore. Deep cuts, cuts that keep bleeding, or a foreign object embedded in the pad need veterinary care; do not try to pull out deeply embedded glass or thorns yourself.

Burns: Hot Pavement and Cold Ground

Summer pavement can reach temperatures that burn pads in seconds. The simple test: press the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds. If you cannot hold it there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, stick to grass and shaded paths, and consider dog booties for dogs that must cross hot surfaces.

Winter brings the opposite problem. Ice, snow and de-icing salt dry and crack pads, and salt stings any small cut. Rinse paws after winter walks, dry them thoroughly, and use booties or a protective balm before walks in icy conditions. Signs of a burn — blistering, peeling, redness, or a pad that looks raw — always deserve a vet visit.

The Daily Paw Check

Make the paw check part of your routine, ideally after the last walk of the day when your dog is relaxed. Pick up each paw, look at the pads, spread the toes and check the nails. You are looking for cracks, cuts, swelling, redness, stuck objects and overgrown nails. The whole check takes under a minute, and most dogs learn to enjoy it when paired with a calm voice and a treat.

Regular checks also catch problems early in puppies and senior dogs, whose pads are softer or thinner and damage more easily. If you notice a recurring problem on the same paw, mention it at your next vet visit — repeated injury can signal an underlying issue such as an allergy or a gait problem.

Washing Paws After Walks

A quick paw wash after muddy, salty or dusty walks removes irritants before they cause trouble. Use lukewarm water and a gentle pet shampoo, rinse well, and dry each paw completely — damp paws in warm weather can develop irritation between the toes. Keep a towel and a shallow basin by the door so the routine is easy to stick to.

Avoid washing paws with harsh soaps or disinfectants, which strip natural oils and dry the pads out further. If your dog walks on treated lawns or roads, a rinse is especially important, since chemical residues can be licked off and swallowed.

Nails, Fur and Pad Protection

Overgrown nails change how a dog walks, shifting weight onto the pads and straining the toes. Trim nails regularly so they just clear the ground when your dog stands. Trim the fur between the pads too, so your dog grips properly on smooth floors and grit does not mat into the coat.

For dogs that hike, run on rough terrain or live in extreme climates, booties are worth trying. Introduce them gradually indoors with treats, and check the fit — a bootie that slips or rubs can cause the very sores you are trying to prevent.

Recommended Products

These are the tools mentioned in this guide — buying through these links supports PawProper at no extra cost to you.

Pet shampoo

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Gentle enough for the daily paw wash after muddy or salty walks, without stripping the pads' natural oils.

Nail clipper and grinder

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Short nails keep your dog walking on its pads, not its nails — overgrown nails change gait and put extra pressure on the pads.

Healthy paws are mostly a matter of habit: check them daily, wash off what the walk left behind, moisturise when they feel dry, and act early when something looks wrong. A few minutes of paw care each week saves your dog a great deal of pain — and saves you a vet bill.

By PawProper. This article is general information only, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, see a veterinarian promptly.

If your pet shows these warning signs, seek veterinary care immediately — do not wait.