Pooches use their paws for more than galloping around the dog park: dogs sweat through their paws to stay cool. Paws regulate body temperature and help dogs cool themselves.
Extreme temperatures like summer heat can burn dog paws, which makes for an uncomfortable experience for you and your pup.
Dogs walking or running on hot surfaces like hot pavement can result in burned dog paws. This includes sand, gravel, driveways, streets, parking lots, boat docks, or even the back of a pick-up truck. Basically, any surface that heats up – no matter the season – can quickly create burns and blisters.
But burned dog paws aren’t just a summer concern. Dogs can burn their paws from chemicals used to melt ice, like sidewalk salt, or household cleaners like bleach, drain cleaners, and fertilizers. These chemicals harm your pet’s paws and cause chemical burns, so make sure your dog doesn’t step in a chemical substance.
Signs of discomfort may include:
Your dog needs to be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will know how to treat the burn and will help prevent further damage. They can prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to ward off infection.
👉 Seeing your veterinarian for your dog’s burned paws is non-negotiable, especially if your dog’s paws are bleeding or severely burned.
Your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotics and pain medications because of the high risk of infection in paw pad burns. Paws have to be bandaged to protect them and to prevent bacterial infections or irritations by debris. Your vet may do a cleaning under anesthesia or remove dead tissue.
Paw pad hyperkeratosis looks like “hairy paws.” If you notice blisters, discoloration, or missing sections of the pad, it’s likely a burn.
If you can’t get your dog to the veterinarian immediately, you need to treat your dog with these simple steps at home to prevent infection and further injury:
Paw balms moisturize your dog’s paw pads while creating a protective layer between their paw pads and their environment. These paw balms can be used to treat burns or as a preventative measure. We only recommend products that we’d feel safe using on ourselves.
This vegan paw soother is loaded with herbs and soothing oils that help heal your dog’s burned paws and are safe if ingested. Organic ingredients like vitamin E and coconut oil are anti-inflammatory. With all these top-notch ingredients, it’s no wonder why it holds the top rank in Amazon’s Dog Paw Protectors category.
More severe burns may need Natural Dog Company’s Skin Soother, a moisturizer packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients, antioxidants, and antimicrobials.
Ingredients — Natural Dog Company PAW SOOTHER
Cajeput Essential oil, Calendula extract, Rosemary extract, Jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, Coconut oil, Candellia wax, natural vitamin E, Chamomile, Mango butter, Cocoa butter, chamomile
If you’re on the lookout for a natural paw soother that’s gluten-free, look no further: Musher’s Secret is non-toxic and non-GMO. This salve will protect your pup’s paws from extreme heat conditions that cause burns. It’s no shock that Musher’s Secret has hundreds of five-star ratings on Chewy and Amazon.
Ingredients — Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Natural Dog Wax
White beeswax, yellow beeswax, Carnauba wax, candelilla wax, white oil, vegetable oil, vitamin E
This USDA-certified organic paw balm protects paws in hot and cold climates. We love that this salve is made in the USA with organic ingredients. Bodhi Organic Paw Balm is also the most affordable option, so it’s ideal for dog owners who want to stick to a budget and pups with sensitive paws.
Ingredients — Bodhi Organic Paw Palm
Organic shea butter, Jojoba oil, beeswax, hemps seed oil, Calendula extract
Remember: Consistency is key — apply 1 to 3 times a day.
👉 Make sure you keep your dog occupied while the balms dry as licking can cause stomach upset.
Your veterinarian will probably bandage your dog’s feet, depending on the severity, and may prescribe antibiotics since paw pad burns can get infected. In addition to giving your dog any medication your vet prescribes, follow these tips for a successful recovery.
How long it takes your dog to recover depends on the severity of the burn. It could take a few weeks in severe cases. Give your dog lots of love and patience, and always follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
One of the best ways to prevent burns is to protect paws. Thankfully, it’s easy to take these simple steps to help deter paw burns.
When you’re walking on a hot day, check the asphalt with your bare hand — If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pooch.
Keep dog walks to a minimum when it’s too hot for their paws — Dogs who typically walk on grass or aren’t very active will have more delicate paws. But even dogs accustomed to walking on rough surfaces are at risk for burns when walking on hot days.
Walk your dog in the early morning or evening to protect their foot pads — Avoid walking your dog in the heat of the day, especially during summertime. Walking earlier or later during the summer months also helps prevent heatstroke.
Strengthen your dog’s paw pads year round — Walk your dog on hard surfaces throughout the year. Your dog’s paw pads will become tougher when they walk on rough surfaces more often. Ease them into acquiring this toughness by introducing them to rough surfaces slowly for short periods of time.
Check their paws frequently — One of the best ways to protect your pup’s paw pads is also the easiest: frequently check them. Check for blisters, cuts, cracks, sores, or foreign objects that cause abrasions.
Apply a moisturizing paw balm as a preventative measure — Paw balms both treat and help prevent paw pad burns.
Pad their paws with dog booties or socks — Your dog may hate wearing booties, but if you live in extreme weather conditions, dog booties are an easy way to protect your dog’s feet from salty sidewalks and hot pavement.
Regularly clip your dog’s nails — Taking care of your dog’s hygiene is part of responsible dog ownership. When your dog’s nails are too long, they can splinter and scrape the ground, get infected, and interfere with walking. Have a veterinarian or groomer regularly clip nails.
