If you’ve noticed your dog licking between their paws, they may have paw blisters, just like how blisters form on human feet. These can be extremely painful, but they generally don’t need veterinary care.
Paw blisters are fluid-filled pockets that form underneath the top layer of skin on a dog’s paw pads. These occur due to hot pavement, rough terrain, skin irritants, or allergies.
Read on to learn more about paw blisters and how to treat them at home.
First: What Causes Paw Blisters?
Since dogs generally don’t wear shoes (although they should when it’s too hot or cold), it’s understandable that paw blisters can form from time to time. The most common reason dogs get paw blisters is due to the surfaces they walk on.
In sunny locations, blacktop can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest days. If you take your pup walking during this time, the surface can burn their paws, causing nasty blisters. Rough terrain can also be hard on a dog’s paws. Hiking or walking trails with sharp rocks, uneven footing, and gravel can also cause paw blisters.
If your dog is running races or training for breed-specific sporting events, they may also get blisters from overuse. Certain chemicals can also irritate your dog’s paws, such as solutions applied to pavement during the winter to melt ice. Dogs may even get blisters on their paws from food or seasonal allergies –– causing red feet in addition to sores.
By understanding the causes of paw blisters, you can gauge their severity and prevent them from forming in the future.
You Can Treat Minor Paw Blisters at Home
Most paw blisters do not require a visit to the vet and are easily treated at home. You can simply wash the blister with an anti-bacterial solution to prevent infection. Be sure to wipe away dirt, mud, and other debris.
Then, wrap the paw in a bandage to keep your dog from over-licking, which can cause infection and further irritation. During your dog’s recovery period, you may have them wear an e-collar or use a deterrent spray.
If you see blood, don’t be alarmed. Blood blisters are slightly different than standard blisters and may also get on your dog’s paw pad. These are pockets of blood underneath the top layer of skin that happen when something punctures your dog’s blood vessels or causes trauma to the foot. In this instance, keep the area dry and prevent dirt from getting inside the open wound.
When Do Paw Blisters Require Veterinary Care?
There’s no such thing as being too cautious with your dog’s health. If the blister lasts for more than a few days or gets worse, take your dog to the vet to get them checked out. Redness or swelling around the blisters may be a sign of infection. Other symptoms, such as disorientation, loss of appetite, and a foul odor are also signs of infection.
When you bring your dog to the vet, they’ll first conduct a physical examination. They may look for objects embedded in your dog’s paw and ask some basic questions about the dog’s age, diet, and lifestyle. Just like you would at home, they’ll wrap up the injury, and they may prescribe antibiotics to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Chances are, your dog won’t have to stay overnight. However, if the infection is advanced, the veterinarian may keep them for observation.
How You Can Prevent Paw Blisters
The best way to prevent paw blisters is to avoid hot surfaces and rough terrain. If the pavement is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then don’t walk your dog on it. You should try to walk your dog in shady areas or during the early morning or evening to avoid the hottest temperatures.
If you take your dog on regular hikes, consider getting your dog boots to protect their feet. These boots should keep your dog from getting irritated by gravel or uneven trails. If you’ve learned that certain places spray or use chemicals that may irritate your dog’s feet, avoid these areas.
You should also regularly clean your dog’s feet and keep their nails trimmed. When you come home from a walk, give their feet a quick wipe down with a wipe or wash them with some warm water. This will keep dirt from getting into any cracks or wounds that may cause issues.
Monitor your dog’s feet and apply soothing paw balms to their feet to reduce the risk of blisters caused by friction.
Other Minor Injuries That Can Affect Dogs
Paw blisters are just one of many common health conditions that can afflict dogs. Others that can affect the paw pads include:
- Yeast infections, which can cause a foul-smelling odor
- Hyperkeratosis, a hardening of the paw pads from disease, allergies, and sun exposure
- Interdigital cysts, inflamed fluid-filled sacs between the toes
- Vitiligo, a loss of pigmentation on the pads
- Dermatitis, a type of skin irritation
Dogs can also suffer burns, frostbite, and other injuries to their paws.
Conclusion: Paw Blisters Are Generally Minor Problems
Paw blisters can be uncomfortable for your dog, but they generally heal on their own in a few days. If you notice your dog has paw blisters, be sure to clean the area and wrap it with a bandage to encourage healing. The best way to prevent paw blisters is to avoid areas where they might occur such as hot surfaces, rough terrain, and places where chemicals are sprayed.
If your dog’s blisters get worse, be sure to get them checked out by a vet. With proper paw care, your pup should be feeling better soon.
