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Paw Injuries in Dogs: What You Should Know

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Published:  December 14th, 2025

Your dog’s paws are exposed to a lot every day, including pavement, stones, grass, plants, and dirt, and paw pad injuries and infections can happen. It’s important to be aware of the risks and know what you can do to prevent paw problems so your dog can stay active, healthy, and happy.

Beauty Stock/Shutterstock

Types of Dog Paw Injuries


Dog paw injuries range from minor irritation to deep, bleeding cuts. It’s a good idea to learn what can cause these injuries, how to recognize them promptly and treat them effectively, and how to take steps to prevent them in the future. 


Here are some of the many types of paw and paw pad injuries in dogs:


  • Cuts, flaps, lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Bruises
  • Cracks
  • Burns
  • Frostbite
  • Blisters
  • Abrasions
  • Ingrown or broken nails
  • Foreign bodies  
  • Insect stings and bites
  • Infections


These various injuries have several causes. For example, they could be caused by exposure to very hot or cold temperatures, including pavement that’s too hot in the summer. They could also be caused by sharp objects, walking on a rough surface, or exposure to chemicals. In the winter, ice melts can cause irritation and injuries, too.


Signs Your Dog Has Injured Their Paw


When your dog has hurt their paw or paw pad, they may exhibit symptoms like the following:


  • Bleeding
  • Redness or discoloration
  • Inflammation or swelling
  • Licking or biting the paw  
  • Avoiding putting weight on the paw
  • Limping, lameness
  • Abnormal growths
  • Vocalizing when paw is touched or weight is put on it


These symptoms might occur right away or take time to develop, depending on the cause of the injury.


Diagnosing and Treating Dog Paw Injuries


If you notice that your dog is limping, showing signs of discomfort when you touch their foot, or holding their paw up or refusing to put weight on it, take a closer look. You might immediately see that something is wrong (e.g., your dog’s paw has a foreign body stuck in it or there’s skin irritation).


Let your veterinarian know about your dog’s paw injury so they can tell you what steps to take. With your vet’s guidance, you might be able to help your pet at home. For instance, you might be able to use a dog first aid kit to provide relief right away


If the problem isn’t obvious, your veterinarian can figure out what’s going on. Bear in mind that symptoms like limping can also be caused by other health problems like bone disease, joint disease, spinal problems, sprains, fractures, broken bones, ligament tears, and more. And if your dog is excessively licking their paws, it might be a sign of allergies.


Whether the injury is minor or severe, obvious or subtle, have your dog’s paws examined by a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.


Treating paw injuries may involve:


  • Cleaning wounds
  • Removing foreign bodies
  • Stopping bleeding
  • Covering wounds with gauze and bandages
  • Treating burns, infections, irritation with medications  


Paw injuries will take time to heal, so be patient. Your veterinarian will provide instructions on changing bandages, giving necessary medications or applying any ointments, and helping your dog rest their paw. They might also recommend products like Healers Medical Dog Booties to support healing by protecting paws during everyday activities.

Protect Your Dog’s Paws from Injuries


Many paw injuries can be prevented. Here are some ways to help keep your dog’s paws safe in all conditions throughout the year:


Dog boots and paw balms like Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax can protect your pet’s paws while out and about all year long. If your dog has never worn boots, they can be trained to wear them.

When it’s very hot or cold out, shorten the amount of time your dog spends outside. Perhaps only let them out in your backyard to play a bit and go to the bathroom, but don’t take them on long walks. In the winter, use pet-safe ice melts on your property. In the summer, avoid walking your dog on hot pavement.


After spending time outside, check your dog’s paws. Look for signs of problems like irritation, insect bites, foreign bodies, and injury. You can also train your pooch to have their paws washed when coming back in the house.


To prevent nail problems, trim your dog’s claws regularly. Also, keep the fur on their paws clean and trimmed to prevent painful matting that could increase the risk of infections.


While exploring and exercising with your pooch, keep an eye out for hazards so you can steer your pet away from them. 


Check Your Dog’s Paws Often


In addition to taking steps to prevent dog paw injuries, take some time every day to check their feet. Look for signs of irritation or pain, take note of any matted fur or strange odors coming from the feet, and check the nails to confirm they look healthy. If you notice anything off about your pet’s feet, paw pads, or nails, consult your veterinarian so you can fix the problem promptly.


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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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We don’t head out on a walk with our pups looking for danger, but the truth is that the unexpected happens. It could be a sudden, deep cut on your dog’s paw from stepping on broken glass, a tick burrowed deep into your dog’s skin, or the catastrophic moment a cheap leash clip snaps when a squirrel darts across your path. In that split second of panic, you’ll realize that preparedness isn’t overkill. Better still, let’s ensure you’re prepared without having to face the challenges.Your dog’s leash plays a key role on walks, and I’m not just referring to keeping them safely tethered. It’s your “base camp,” with the ability to carry everything you need from emergency first-aid to critical safety gear right there, immediately accessible.In this article, I’m going to talk about the non-negotiable, clip-on accessories that I carry on every walk. These are items that tackle big problems and help me keep my dogs safe. Additionally, I’ll share some leash styles that are better suited to carry this gear and help make your next walk that much safer. The goal is simple: to make sure you’re ready for anything, so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your time together.“Clip-and-Go” Essentials When you think about leash preparedness, consider the items you carry every day. Just as you don’t leave the house without your keys, wallet, and phone, your dog’s leash needs its own collection of essential tools. These are small, lightweight accessories that clip directly onto a D-ring or an accessory loop, ensuring they are with you on every single walk. After all, an emergency doesn’t check your calendar and schedule itself when it’s convenient. The First-Aid TrioThe most critical moments on any dog-friendly outing are when your pup sustains a minor injury or encounters something potentially hazardous to their health. The following three items on your leash can help you provide immediate care and stabilize the situation until you can get home or reach your veterinarian. The Tick Remover Tool Ticks are more than just a nuisance; they are carriers of serious diseases that could put your pup at risk. If you spot a tick while out and about, the priority is to remove it quickly, completely, and safely. Trying to pinch or squeeze a tick with your fingers can cause the tick to regurgitate infected fluids back into your dog’s bloodstream, and household tweezers can easily be lost in your pocket. Instead, consider carrying a leash-friendly tick remover. Look for the small, v-notched plastic tools or specialized metal tick removers designed for this purpose, like the classic Tick Key. These tools easily slide under the tick and allow you to lift it out with a simple twist or pull. It makes it easier to ensure the entire head is removed, reducing the risk of further complications. Because these tools are so small and lightweight, attaching one directly to your leash with a mini-carabiner means you never have to scramble for one. Paw and Wound Care Mini-KitWhether it’s a sharp rock on the trail or an unseen piece of broken glass on the sidewalk, a paw injury is one of the most common mid-walk incidents. My boy Lucifer suffered a small cut on his foot on a recent hike, and we don’t even know the cause. When faced with a cut, your role as a loving pet parent is to provide temporary stabilization. The priority is to stop the bleeding, keep the wound clean until you return home, and prevent your dog from licking it or further aggravating it. This, of course, requires some key first-aid supplies. You don’t need a full trauma kit, just a compact, sealed tube or case small enough to clip to the leash. I use a small zippered treat pouch for ours. In it, we keep two small, sterile gauze pads (for cleaning and coverage), a small roll of self-adhering vet wrap, a couple of antiseptic wipes, and a single disposable bootie, like those from PawZ, to keep any wounds or bandages dry.Emergency MuzzleThis is perhaps the most misunderstood piece of safety gear, yet it can make all the difference in an emergency. Even the sweetest, most friendly dog can react to intense pain or overwhelming fear by biting. For this reason, I recommend all dog parents keep some form of muzzle on hand. If your dog is in pain, quickly putting a muzzle on them lets you examine and treat the injury without risking yourself or an innocent passerby.In most cases, a simple snout loop or lightweight, fabric muzzle clipped to your leash setup would be enough. If you do have a dog that is a little “spicy,” a more sturdy muzzle (we use a vinyl muzzle from Mia’s Muzzles for my fear-reactive boy) may be necessary. Don’t forget to take time to do muzzle training in advance, so you aren’t adding more stress to an already stressful situation by throwing on a muzzle they aren’t accustomed to. Safety, Visibility, and Comfort GearBeyond the immediate medical needs, a good preparedness system addresses ongoing safety and the simple necessities your dog may need during your walk.LED Safety Light or Blinker If your walks extend into the early morning or evening, visibility is an essential consideration. Accidents often happen because a driver simply doesn’t see you or your dog until it’s too late. Consider clipping a small, bright, USB-rechargeable clip-on LED light to your leash. These lights offer flashing or steady modes. Even better, attach one to the leash to make yourself visible, and another to your dog’s collar or harness. Make it part of your routine to check the battery before every low-light walk. Hydration and Comfort Essentials Even a short walk can lead to dehydration, especially in warmer weather or for an energetic dog. A few ounces of water can make a huge difference for your dog. If you’re hiking in town where you know there are accessible water fountains, or are carrying water in your backpack, all you’ll need is a collapsible water bowl. The most common are the silicone dishes that fold up flat and usually come equipped with a small carabiner to clip directly to your leash or backpack. Personally, I love the packable design of the HydraPak Rover Dog Bowl. For those who prefer hiking in more rural areas without potable water sources, you may prefer to carry a travel-friendly dog water bottle with a built-in bowl, like the Lesotc Portable Dog Water Bottle. Poop Bag DispenserWhile this might seem like a given, I feel like I can’t make this list without stressing the importance of a poop bag dispenser. 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