Puppies leave their paw prints on our hearts. And what adorable paw prints those are! There’s a reason you can’t help but smile when you see paw prints in the dirt or preserved on the concrete of a sidewalk.
Your young dog’s paws allow them to go on adventures with you, with the paw pads providing traction and shock absorption while your dog moves. Although dog paws are made to withstand a lot of activity, they’re not immune to injury. Learn about types of dog paw injuries and how you can help your best friend get back on the right paw.
Types of dog paw injuries
If your young dog has a paw injury, you may notice them limping, licking at their foot or bleeding. Injuries to your dog’s paw could include:
Torn nails
If your dog catches their toenail on something, the nail may break. Fractured nails that affect the quick can bleed significantly, and they’re painful for your puppy.
Overgrown nails
Overgrown nails are more likely to catch and tear. They can also overgrow so much that they curl in and grow into the paw pad, creating a painful wound.
Burns
Your dog could burn their paw pads walking on hot pavement. If you’re not able to hold your palm on the pavement for over 10 seconds, it’s too hot for your young dog to walk on it. Burned paw pads may be swollen, red and blistered.
Lacerations and wounds
Your puppy is a wild child, and that means they’re at risk of cutting their paws on sharp objects.
Penetrating wounds from foreign object
Your young dog can step on something that gets stuck in their foot, such as a thorn or splinter.
Allergies
One common health issue that can also affect your dog’s paws is allergies. Allergies can cause the skin of your dog’s foot to become inflamed and itchy. The constant licking, biting and scratching can predispose the paw to a fungal or bacterial infection. You should also monitor your dog’s paws for growths and cysts, which can also cause pain or limping.
At-home management of dog paw injuries
If you notice your young dog suddenly limping without an obvious cause, the first thing you’ll want to do is check on the bottom of the foot to make sure it’s not an easily remedied issue, such as a piece of gum or tape stuck to the fur.
Torn nails
You can apply pressure to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within 5 minutes, you can try using a cauterizing powder or silver nitrate stick. These are available from Convenience stores and are a good idea to have on hand. In a pinch, baking powder or flour may work.
Overgrown nails
You’ll want to trim the nail back, avoiding the quick. If the nail grew into the paw pad, you should clean the area with pet-safe soap.
Lacerations and wounds
You can trim away fur and clean the injury with a pet-safe soap. If not too deep, foreign objects may be removed. If the foreign object is deep enough that you’d have to dig into the pad to remove it, do not attempt removal at home.
For any paw injury, monitor for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, development of pus and ongoing pain.
Consider placing a recovery cone on your dog if they’re licking at the injury, as this can prevent infection.
When to seek veterinary attention for young dog paw injuries
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure or cauterizing materials
- Deep punctures or lacerations
- Any burns
- Deeply imbedded foreign objects
- Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus)
If you’re concerned at all about your puppy’s paw injury, your VCA care team is happy to assist.
Find out more about how to care for broken nails.
