Sore paws in dogs - causes, treatment and prevention

Looking for information about sore paws in dogs? If your four-legged friend suffers from sore or injured paws, you've come to the right place. This article will tell you everything you need to know about sore paws in dogs. From the possible causes to the correct first aid treatment and prevention.

Content

• Signs
• Causes
• Dog licks paws sore
• Treatment
• Home remedy
• Prevention through paw control

Signs of sore paws in dogs

• Sensitivity to pain on paws
• Protective posture and avoidance of occurrence
• Limping or limping
• Licking and nibbling on paws

Causes of sore paws in dogs

Your dog's paws are exposed to numerous environmental influences and stresses. There are therefore numerous causes of sore paws in dogs.

Foreign body

Your dog explores the world barefoot. Dog paws are very robust for this. However, foreign objects can still cause injuries. These foreign objects include, among others:

• Wood splinter
• Road salt
• Grannen
• Broken glass
• Pointed stones
• Metal objects
• Sharp-edged objects
• And much more

Burns

Stepping on a cigarette butt or coming into contact with hot liquids - there are many ways in which your dog can burn its paws. It is often due to surfaces being too hot.

In summer, asphalt can get very hot. Your own feet will help you to assess the risk of your dog burning its paws. If the ground is too hot to walk barefoot, you should postpone the walk. The early morning or late evening hours are often best.

In winter, on the other hand, the ground may be too cold. This does not lead to burns, but to frostbite.

Lack of paw care

The right paw care for dogs can prevent some of the causes of sore paws. If the skin is dry, the paws can become cracked and brittle. This can lead to pain and inflammation.

If the hair between the paw pads is too long, it can become matted. This fur felt presses and rubs unpleasantly. Another cause can be claws that are too long. This leads to unpleasant pressure on the paws.

Parasites

Parasites can also lead to sore paws in dogs. These include many types of mites, e.g. demodex mites and autumn grass mites.

Ticks on the dog's pawalso pose a risk of injury. Tick protection for dogs should therefore play a major role. This is how you can prevent ticks in dogs.

Insect bite

Around a wasp or bee sting, a central white spot forms around the area where the stinger has pierced the skin. A red swelling of the skin can also be caused by the sting.

Allergies

Itching and inflammation of the dog's paws can also be caused by an allergy. A few examples of allergens in dogs:

• Pollen
• Mold spores
• House dust mites
• Dander
• Flea saliva
• Feed

Infections

Bacterial or fungal infections can affect the skin on the paws and lead to inflammation and pain.

Why does my dog have sore paws?

There are several causes of sore paws in dogs:

• Foreign body
• Burns
• Lack of paw care
• Parasites
• Insect bite
• Allergies
• Infections

Dog licks paws sore

Sore paws are often accompanied by itching . Your dog will try to relieve this by licking the paw. However, saliva provides moisture and nutrients that lead to the proliferation of bacteria and yeast.

Boredom and stress

If your dog licks its paws frequently or even sore, there may also be psychological reasons . Sensitive and nervous dogs in particular start licking their paws in stressful situations. Boredom, e.g. when your dog is alone at home, can also lead to this.

Why does my dog lick his paws?

If your dog licks its paws, it may be for physical reasons, such as itching due to an allergic reaction. However, boredom and stress can also cause your dog to lick more often.

Tips against licking and nibbling

Due to the risk of infection, you should prevent your dog from licking its paws and nibbling. Here are some tips on how you can do this.

Visit to the vet

If your dog is increasingly licking and nibbling its paws, it is advisable to consult a vet. This will allow you to rule out or treat health problems such as allergies, infections or injuries.

Cleanliness

Keep your dog's paws clean and dry to avoid irritation and infection.

Paw care

Applying a nourishing paw cream, such as Canosept Paw Care, protects dogs' paws. It can help to reduce dryness and cracks. Further tips on paw care for dogs.

Check for foreign objects

Examine the paws for foreign objects such as small stones, spikes or thorns. Carefully remove any foreign objects caught between the paw pads or between the toes.

Reduce allergens

If an allergy is suspected, try to identify and minimize potential allergens. This could include switching to hypoallergenic food, avoiding certain environmental substances or washing dog beds with allergen-free detergents.

Relaxation and distraction

Make sure that your dog gets enough rest and relaxation . But also enough mental and physical stimulation to reduce possible stress. This includes, for example, sufficient exercise and brain games.

Suitable footwear

In some cases, wearing dog shoes or socks can protect your dog's paws from harmful substances and irritants. Make sure the shoes fit properly and are comfortable.

Neck collar

A neck collar may also be necessary to prevent your dog from continuing to lick or nibble at its paws. This prevents your dog from damaging itself and gives the skin time to heal.

What to do if your dog has sore paws?

The paws are stressed every day. Therefore, even small wounds can quickly become infected and have health consequences. Therefore, always take your dog to the vet . They can assess the extent of the problem and initiate the right treatment.

It is also always a good idea to have the telephone numbers of several vets in the area to hand. This way, you can obtain valuable tips for the initial treatment of your dog over the phone.

And: Keep calm even in an emergency. This will have a calming and reassuring effect on your dog.

First aid for injuries

If you have discovered an injury on the dog's paw, you should first remove any foreign bodies and get an overview. How deep and large is the wound? Depending on the extent, first aid measures should then be taken.

Cleaning and disinfection

Dirt can quickly get into a wound. To prevent infection, a dog's sore paws should be cleaned and disinfected quickly. The ideal products for this are Canosept wound spray or the Canosept wound gel. These products are also ideal for treating superficial wounds.

Dressing and protecting the paws

In some cases it may be necessary to apply a bandage. A distinction is made between a wound dressing and a pressure dressing. Wound dressings prevent dirt or harmful substances from getting into the wounds. It also immobilizes the paw.

A pressure band age, on the other hand, is an acute emergency measure to stop bleeding (source: VDH). In such a case, your dog should be treated by a vet as soon as possible.

Necessary equipment for paw bandage

• Sterile compresses (wound dressing)
• Wadding for padding
• Gauze bandages
• Adhesive plaster

How do I apply a paw bandage?

Pressure bandage

• Cover the wound with a sterile compress
• Press the rolled-up gauze bandage in the packaging firmly onto the compress
• Secure the first gauze bandage with the second gauze bandage and apply pressure to the wound

If the pressure bandage remains on the wound for too long, there is a risk of tissue death due to insufficient blood supply. The vet should therefore be consulted immediately.

Wound dressing

• If possible: Cut away some of the fur around the wound
• Place absorbent cotton between the individual toes
• Padding the wolf claw
• Cover the wound with a sterile compress
• Pad the entire paw with absorbent cotton
• Secure with gauze bandage and adhesive plaster

Important: Do not apply the dressing too tightly. This will prevent congestion of the blood vessels.

First aid for burns

The most important first aid measure is cooling. This can be done under running water or using a cold pad from the fridge. If several paws are affected, you can also use damp towels as cool compresses.

What to do if your dog has sore paws?

Get an overview, administer first aid and, if necessary, apply a pressure bandage or wound dressing. You should also always visit the vet, no matter how big or small the wound is.

Home remedy

The internet is full of the "best home remedies for treating wounds". But are home remedies really suitable for treating sore paws?

Special paw care products for dogs

The use of special paw care products is always recommended. These can often prevent sore paws. And if they do occur, they can provide a remedy.

Canosept paw care offers rich care for dogs' paws. High-quality ingredients such as apricot oil and Pathentol protect stressed paws from drying out and cracking.

Other household remedies

Aloe vera, coconut oil, etc. - many home remedies are said to have helpful properties for treating sore paws.

Home remedies can be helpful if you pay attention to everything. The use of special paw care products, which can also be used preventively, is simpler and reliably helpful.

Which ointment for sore paws?

Special paw care products are best for dogs. There are also some helpful home remedies. However, with special dog products such as Canosept paw care, sore paws can not only be cared for but also prevented.

Preventing sore paws by checking them

The paw check is an important part of the paw care for dogs. This involves checking the dog's paws for:

• Residues from wood, plants or pebbles
• Other foreign bodies, such as awns
• Ticks, especially in the interstitial spaces
• Scratches or wounds

Regular checks enable you to detect individual changes at an early stage and thus prevent sore paws in your dog.

What do we control?

The bales

Your dog explores the world using the pads as walking surfaces. They are very robust due to the keratinized epithelium. In evolution, however, the pads have not adapted to running on concrete and asphalt.

This is why regular checks are important to detect signs of excessive strain at an early stage. In some cases, you can even prevent sore paws in your dog.

The areas between the toes

Foreign bodies or hairballs can quickly become lodged in the hairy areas between the toes. In addition, sharp objects can quickly cause injuries to the sensitive skin areas.

To check the skin and detect sore paws in dogs, it is best to use the "thumb examination". This involves running your thumb over the hair to reveal the skin underneath. This makes it easier to detect injuries or individual changes.

The claws

Checking the claws is an important part of the paw check. Among other things, check whether the claw ends are torn or burst open, or whether there are any other changes.

It is also important to check the claw beds. However, these are usually overgrown with hair and not easily accessible. As with the areas between the toes, the "thumb examination" helps here. Simply run your thumb over the hair to reveal the claw beds underneath.

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