Cracked paws can be the result of dryness, weather, or wear and tear, and sometimes they may be an indication that something else is wrong.
Thankfully, cracked paws are very treatable, and you can get your furry friend back to normal relatively quickly by following a few steps.
Identifying Cracked Paws
Cracked paws willlook like there are fissures or cracks on the surface of your pet’s paw pad. If you look at your pet’s paws, you will notice cracks or openings in the pads, and your pet may lick these areas more than usual which is another indication of a cracked paw.
Cracking can result from regular everyday activities, such as walking on uneven terrain, but if the cracks become too severe they will cause your pet discomfort and will need to be taken care of.
If you are unable to tell how severe a cracked paw is, you should take your pet to the veterinarian to get a professional opinion, because this is not a risk you want to take as your dog may end up with very painful wounds if these cracks are not properly treated. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you regarding what steps you should take to care for cracked paws, and they will be able to treat those paws in more severe cases.
What Causes Paws to Crack?
Wear and tear is one of the most common causes of your pet’s cracked paws, and chemicals in products like floor cleaners or ice melts are common culprits for paw irritation and sensitivity. If your pet ends up with cracked paws, it does not make you a bad pet parent, and most pet owners will likely see this issue with their pet at some point since it does sometimes come as a result of very basic, regular activities.
Cracked paws can also be caused by walking on hot pavement, ice, or rocky terrain, as all of these can cause irritation or cuts in the pads of your pet’s paws. This is why you may be advised to avoid walking your dog on the pavement during the peak of summer, because the pavement can become extremely hot, causing blisters.
Paw irritation can end up turning into cracked paws because dogs tend to lick at spots that are bothering them, and if they spend too much time licking an irritated spot on their paw, it will eventually begin to crack from the friction.
How Can Cracked Paws Be Prevented?
There are several ways you can help prevent your pet’s paws from cracking, to begin with:
If your dog loves the cold and you can’t limit the time they spend outside, consider using pet boots to protect their paws from the elements. Similarly, take care of their paws in the summer when the hot pavement has the potential to damage their pads. If the pavement is too hot for you to keep the palm of your hand on it for five seconds, it is too hot for your dog to walk on.
How Do I Properly Care for Cracked Paws?
If your pet already has cracked paws, they are, most often, treatable at home. If you spot your dog excessively licking or chewing their paws, you should do a paw check and investigate the problem.
Gently wash their paws with warm water and a gentle soap to help clean their paws and clear debris. Castile soap is a good option for this step because it contains natural oils that will clean your pet’s paws while still keeping them moisturized and soft.
Dr. Brite’sCitrus Castile Soap has a refreshing natural fragrance but none of the toxic chemicals that are found in other options. It is also antimicrobial and does not leave behind a greasy residue.
If you do a paw check and discover that your pet does have cracked paws, you should take care to gently clean the wounded area in order to clean off any irritants. You can use warm soapy water or your trustyPet Pure Cleansing Wipes to clean the affected area.
After you clean off the cracked paws, follow up with a moisturizer to soothe and protect the area, and cover the wounds to keep them from worsening by protecting them. You can use household petroleum jelly to treat the wounds after washing them, and bandages or socks will help your pet walk more comfortably while their paws are healing. There are also many paw-specific balms and salves available that are made with natural ingredients to soothe and moisturize.
If you notice that your pet’s cracked paws don’t seem to be healing, you should take your furry friend to the vet to have everything checked on. Sometimes, cracked paws are an indication of dermatologic conditions or liver conditions that impact the way wounds heal.
Your veterinarian will be able to have tests done to confirm whether or not something bigger is wrong, and your pet will be taken care of accordingly. Cracked paws usually are just due to weather or wear and tear, but it is never a bad idea to have a professional vet give you a proper diagnosis.
While your pet’s paws are healing, avoid walking them on rocky or otherwise rough terrain, as this can cause more strain or discomfort. Limit the time they spend in very cold or icy conditions, and check on the affected areas regularly to make sure everything is looking good.
Making pet paw care as regular a part of your routine as grooming or exercise is also a good idea because your pet’s paws are a huge part of the rest of their wellbeing. If your pet’s paws are uncomfortable, they will not be able to exercise or play without experiencing pain. Good pet paw care habits can help keep them happy and healthy.
Takeaway
Hot pavement, ice and snow, or general wear and tear can all lead to your pet experiencing cracked paws that require your attention and care, especially in the case of working dogs and sport dogs.
In general, any kind of irritation to your pet’s paws can ultimately cause cracks, because dogs tend to excessively lick or chew at things that are bothering them, and this excessive licking can cause paws to crack over time.
By doing regular paw checks and keeping your pet’s paws well-groomed by trimming their nails appropriately, you can help prevent them from ending up with cracked and bothersome paws. Take care to clean their paws after they have been outside on rocky terrain or in snowy weather, and clear away any debris or irritants that you find in between the pads of their paws.
Cracked paws can be treated with a good cleaning and a moisturizer like petroleum jelly, and bandages or socks will keep your pet feeling comfortable while walking as their wounds heal.
Cracked paws that do not seem to be healing at all are a sign that a visit to the vet may be necessary in case there is a bigger health condition present, but generally, cracked paws are highly treatable.
FAQs
1. How do I treat my dogs cracked paws?
You should clean any irritants from a dog's paws if its paws are cut or cracked using a wound care solution. The following day, apply an antimicrobial hydrogel to soothe and promote healing. To prevent further injury to the dog's paws, you should also apply a bandage to the area.
2. How long does a cracked dog paw take to heal?
Dogs can heal much faster than humans, but they still take time to heal. Paw pads are one of the most important parts of a dog in terms of healing. This is because in order to have a fast, effective healing process in their paw pads, they need to have an effective healing system. The healing system makes sure that the cells in the ears, nails, teeth, and paw pads are replaced when they are worn out. Dogs have the ability to grow new cells much faster than humans. If there are injuries, instead of letting the injuries heal, the dog's body will grow new cells to help the damaged part heal faster.
Of course, there is still some controversy on whether or not dogs can heal faster than humans.
3. Can I put coconut oil on my dog's cracked paws?
You can use coconut oil to soothe and heal your dog's dry or cracked paws. If you don't rub the coconut oil in thoroughly enough, your dog may mistake it for a snack and gobble it up.
4. How can I heal my dogs paws naturally?
Once you get home, gently wipe your dog's paws with a washcloth and water, then thoroughly dry them. Additionally to soothing and moisturizing dogs' dry paws, shea butter can also be used to treat hot spots. Shea butter is made from the nuts of the African shea tree.
5. Are cracked paws painful for dogs?
Yes, your dogs will experience pain. In order to prevent infection, the pads should be soft enough so that they do not dry out and crack. As a result of the decreased pliability of the pads, cracks appear, the pads harden, and pain and discomfort result.
Sources:
https://petcentral.chewy.com/solutions-for-caring-for-cracked-dog-paw/
https://vetericyn.com/blog/how-to-treat-and-prevent-cracked-dog-paws/
