Its not unusual for dogs to have cracked or dry pads. If dogs spend a lot of time on rough surfaces such as concrete runs, they will eventually have thickened pads. Dr. Hammer says, “The best thing to do is rub Vitamin E cream into the pad just like you would if you used hand lotion on your own hands. But be sure to rub the ointment in well so the dog doesnt lick it off.”
Another danger to a dogs paws is foxtails. A foxtail is an arrow-shaped pointed weed that can get under the skin and an abscess. Be on the alert for foxtails if you take your dog hunting regularly. It can be a common occurrence for a dog to have a foxtail penetrate the skin between its toes. Veterinarians sometimes see several cases a week of foxtails that have become lodged in a dogs paw. It can be a very uncomfortable situation for a dog that tangles with a foxtail until its removed and he could develop an infection in his paw.
“Dogs have some sensitivity to hot and cold but they build up a tolerance much quicker than we do,” says Greg Hammer, DVM and former president of the AVMA in Dover, Delaware. “If you have an inside dog and you never walk that dog on hot streets, they are going to blister or ulcerate their feet. It would be just like if we went without shoes.”
Paws allow dogs to move around comfortably on land and in the water. Water dogs, such as retrievers, have webbing between toes to help them swim better in the water. Snow breeds like the St. Bernard and the Newfoundland have large paws with greater surface that allow them to walk steadily and with ease on cold and icy terrain.
During the summer months, exercise your dog before sunup or after sundown to avoid pad blistering and other heat-related conditions. Wintertime presents more issues for dogs with salt on the roads, icy streets and frostbitten toes. To prevent cold weather damage to dogs paws, avoid going outside for long periods of time.
What Causes Dog Paw Pad Calluses
Calluses form on the skin as a result of constant friction and use on hard surfaces. Calluses are different than cracked or cut paw pads. They look like a dry chunk of skin attached to your dog’s paw pad. When touching a paw callus, it feels rough, hard and firm. Some dogs develop calluses in certain areas from either walking differently or frequently walking on hard surfaces. Finding the cause of your dog’s paw pad callus is vital for prevention.
Of course, always start with a veterinary exam to rule out illnesses and other paw pad problems. Believe it or not, there are many illnesses and vitamin deficiencies that can cause dog paw pad calluses to develop, so put a plan together with your vet before moving forward. My vet agreed that Stella’s callus was due to abnormal wear of her middle toe, and explained how to remove it painlessly along with prevention tips.
Signs of Paw Pad Trouble
Dogs are pretty good at letting you know that somethings wrong with their feet. The most common signs are:
hyperkeratosis – dry “feathery” pad skin