Key takeaway It is relatively common for dogs to have cracked paw pads since regular paw usage often causes wear and tear. However, while some roughness is to be expected, your dog’s paw pads should never bleed or cause them pain. Cracked paws can indicate a serious underlying health issue, so talk to a vet immediately if your dog’s paw pads are dry, brittle, peeling, or cracked.
As a dog parent, you know everything about your dog, from their body language to the thickness of their coat during each season. You also know that dogs like to groom themselves, especially their paws. Most pet parents dont spend too much time worrying about their dogs paws, but they might notice their paw pads seem dry or cracked from time to time. Even though dogs paw pads protect them from rocks or sharp objects, allowing them to walk outside without shoes, theyre never supposed to be rough or cracked. But, of course, some cracking is normal because of the wear and tear your dogs paws go through on a daily basis.
Most dogs that dont go on walks often and spend most of their time in the yard will have smooth paws, but dogs that enjoy going on adventures outside and taking long hikes with their pet parents will have tougher paws because theyre walking on dirt, rocks, and pavement. However, your dogs paws should never crack to the point where theyre causing your dog discomfort or bleeding. Causes of cracked dog paws range from regular wear and tear to underlying health conditions and injuries. This article will discuss the causes of cracked dog paws and what you can do about them to relieve your dogs discomfort and prevent infection.
Cracked dog paws are common because your dog uses their paws for a lot, including running around outside. However, rough dog paws could indicate minor to severe issues, including:
Dog paws go through regular daily wear and tear, so some dogs may have paws that are more cracked. Dogs that spend most of their time indoors will have smoother paws than dogs that spend a lot of time walking on pavement or in nature. However, everything from harsh chemicals like carpet cleaning solutions to ice outside can cause paws to crack. Contact irritation is common, but it shouldnt cause your dog distress unless they begin chewing on their paws or their paws dont have time to heal.
Dogs can get contact irritation from anything, including stepping on debris and other jagged surfaces outside, like a hiking trail with tree branches. Sidewalks can also irritate your dogs paw skin in several ways. For example, sidewalks are abrasive, which can be irritating to your dog’s skin. So even though paw pads are durable, they can still get roughed up walking on sidewalks every day.
Additionally, hot pavement and asphalt can cause cracking and burn your dogs paw pads in the summer. Therefore, its always best to check the temperature of the pavement where you walk your dog before taking them on a walk. If its too hot, walk them on the grass instead. Other summer activities, like swimming, can cause dry dog paws or red dog paws as well because chlorine can aggravate the skin.
Meanwhile, skin is more likely to dry in winter, leading to cracking. Your dog has to step on ice and salt during the winter, which dries out the paws and can cause them to crack and bleed. In weather thats too cold, your dog also faces the risk of frostbite, which can cause their paws to become red.
Contact irritation can affect one or all paws, depending on the cause. For example, dogs with irritated paws in the winter might begin limping as a way to give their paw relief from the cold, while in the summer, they may choose to walk on the grass because the pavement is too hot.
Allergies are another common cause of cracked dog paws because they can cause itchy, irritated skin. Dogs can be allergic to pollen, mold, mites, food, and almost anything else in the environment, causing their feet to itch.1 Dogs that engage in paw chewing may have allergies or a dog rash, and the only way they can relieve the itching is through biting or licking their paws. Unfortunately, licking this area can cause yeast infections between the paw pads, which can result in even more chewing and even bleeding paws.2
BIting their paws can be a sign of any type of allergy, and some dogs are more likely to develop allergies than others. Dogs with allergies may also scratch other areas of their skin, have dandruff, sneeze, or have watery eyes.
Lack of zinc in the diet can lead to skin disorders in dogs. One disorder, called lethal acrodermatitis, is associated with skin lesions on the face, head, and paws.3 However, this nutritional deficiency is usually most common in puppies. Therefore, if your adult dog has cracked paws, a nutritional deficiency is not likely the cause, especially if they eat a balanced diet.
Dogs with acral lick granuloma lick themselves so much that they form tiny lesions on their skin and continue to lick them until they become bigger. A dogs natural instinct when theyre hurt is to lick themselves as a way to heal. However, it can also cause minor skin problems to worsen and become infected. Dogs can get acral lick granuloma at almost any point in their lives because they lick themselves to groom themselves or to stay occupied when theyre bored. It may also be a compulsive behavior when they become anxious. Unfortunately, dogs can lick one spot so much they create an open wound that never heals because they wont stop licking it.4
Theres no way to prevent this condition because dogs lick themselves for a variety of reasons, and you cant always stop your dog from licking their paws. Vets use surgery to remove infected tissue to help it heal. However, pet parents must protect their dogs from licking the lesion once it forms, which can include methods such as bandaging them. Most dogs with this issue will be put on antibiotics to help them heal while preventing infection. Theyll also likely receive topical medications.4
Cracked dog paws can also be caused by autoimmune diseases, including hyperkeratosis, in which the skin becomes thickened on the pads due to an accumulation of keratin, making them crack.5 Peeling dog paws are also common because the skin is being pushed from the inside, and left untreated, it can cause fissures and infections. Hyperkeratosis can be caused by other immune diseases, fungus, parasites, or weather. However, it can also be genetic.5
Hormonal imbalances, including Cushings disease and hypothyroidism, can cause skin infections that lead to dry or cracked dog paws.1 These imbalances ultimately affect skin and fur health, causing chronic paw dryness or lesions. Cushings disease typically occurs in adult to senior dogs with symptoms including skin thinning that becomes damaged by regular wear and tear, along with excessive thirst and urination.1
Dogs can also experience dry or cracked paws due to a sex hormone imbalance with abnormal estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone levels.6 This disease, called hyperandrogenism, is most common in intact males, causing reproductive tract abnormalities and skin problems, including dandruff, hyperpigmentation, and cracked paw pads.6
Several autoimmune issues can cause red dog paws or cracked paws because the body begins attacking itself, with immune cells attacking healthy normal cells and destroying them.1 Dogs with autoimmune diseases have recurring cracked paws and blisters on one or more paws.
Liver disease can also cause cracked paw pad lesions that dont heal, chronic infections, crusting, thickening, and blisters.1 Dogs with liver disease may wear down their paws faster than healthy dogs, causing contact irritation wounds faster, and their paws may bleed more easily. Since the liver plays a role in nutrient absorption and metabolism, dogs with liver disease may have cracked paw pads because theyre not getting the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy.1
Hepatocutaneous syndrome is a disease that can affect the liver and skin, including the dogs lips, nose, paw pads, ears, and around the eyes.7 Although its a rare disorder, it can cause peeling paw pads and is more likely to occur in dogs with long-term illnesses, including diabetes.7
Taking proper care of your dogs paws can help prevent cracking and infection. Consider inspecting them once a week to ensure theyre healthy and our dog isnt experiencing any severe cracking or bleeding. Signs to look out for include:
While cracked paws are typically due to regular wear and tear, salt or ice, or hot pavement, it can indicate a serious health problem. Dogs with cracked paws due to wear and tear may lick their paws more often or limp when their paws hurt. However, they typically dont experience symptoms of illness. If your dog experiences bleeding, lethargy, or brown discoloration, take them to the vet as soon as possible because these symptoms could indicate a serious underlying health issue.
Why Are My Dog’s Paws Cracked?
“Dry, cracked paws can be caused by many different issues, typically stemming from where your dog walks on a frequent basis and the environment you live in,” says Dr. Megan Conrad, a veterinarian based in Oregon.
Cold weather is one of the most common triggers for dried-out paws. In winter months, a combination of indoor heating, snow, and ice can zap moisture from your dog’s skin.
Summer’s heat could also spell trouble for dog paws. Surfaces like hot sand or pavement can rapidly dry them out and result in hard calluses that crack more easily. Dogs who often take a dip in the pool or the ocean may be even more prone to problems since both chlorine and salt dry them out.
Another common culprit? “Dogs lick their paws frequently in an attempt to soothe itchy paws due to allergies, and may find themselves with red, irritated, inflamed paws,” says Dr. Conrad. Breeds like Beagles, Bichon Frise, West Highland White Terriers, and Poodles are especially susceptible to this problem, according to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF).
Other potential reasons for dry, cracked paws in dogs include:
Numerous signs could clue you in that something’s wrong with your dog’s paw pads. You may notice:
Just as dry skin and chapped lips tend to hurt us, cracked paws tend to be painful and frustrating for dogs, too.
If your dog has dry, cracked paws they just won’t leave alone or other concerning symptoms like redness, swelling, odor,yellow or green discharge, or bleeding, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. They can help you figure out what’s at the root of the problem and get the proper cracked dog paw pad treatment, says Dr. Conrad.
On the other hand, if you’re only seeing a little dryness and cracking, you can try to treat them at home first.
Best Dog Paw Balm for Winter Walks
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Highlights
Things to Consider
Pad Cracks and Paw Problems: 5 Home Remedies
Picture this: Its a cold November day. The sun is reflecting off a fresh layer of snow, and the family is gathered together for Thanksgiving. Everyone is watching the dogs play outside before heading in for dinner. Its a beautiful fall scene — until someone notices bloody paw prints in the snow. Leave it to my German Shepherd Silas to slice open the pad on the bottom of his paw on Thanksgiving Day.
So what did I do? What any self-respecting dog mom would do in this situation: freak out. After I calmed down, we corralled Silas into the bathroom to assess the damage and contain the blood. Then we called the vet and got the lowdown on what to do for an injured paw pad. Unfortunately for Silas but fortunately for you, this wasnt the last time he cut or cracked his pads, so Im now an expert in injured dog pads. Below, Ill walk you through the steps to take care of your dogs pad and get it back to playing fetch in no time. Learning more about how Insider Reviews tests pet products here.