To many of us, our dogs are important members of our family. They are there for us during tough times, and will be there to celebrate little wins. Dogs are incredibly loving creatures that provide unconditional affection when it is needed the most.
The least we can do for our four legged friends is take care of them. Dog paw pad peeling is a surprisingly common issue amongst different breeds of dogs in different locations. It is not always the most significant area for concern, but it can become uncomfortable if left untreated.
This is a look into the potential causes and treatment remedies for peeling paw pads. Check out https://petdt.com/dog-paw-pad-peeling/ for more detail.
Possible Causes
Allergies
Firstly, your dog’s paw pads could be starting to peel as a result of allergies. They can become itchy during the spring and summer months, which makes dogs more likely to lick and chew on their paw pads.
It could also be worth speaking to your vet if you suspect that your dog’s paw pads are peeling as a result of an allergy. They can look for specific indications of this, and even carry out tests if they believe that your dog is allergic to something.
Foreign Objects
If you take your dog on a lot of regular walks on all kinds of surfaces, then their paw pads could be peeling as a result of a foreign object that has gotten into their pad. Sidewalks have many potential hazards when it comes to walking your dog, including loose gravel, and bee stingers that can get lodged inside your dog’s paw.
If these are left untreated, then their paw could become swollen and inflamed. Taking a closer look at your dog’s paw pads, if they appear to be peeling, can allow you to rule out any foreign objects from the possible causes.
Exposure
Another cause for your dog’s paw pad peeling is too much exposure to the elements. This includes harsh weather conditions such as walking on ice and snow. Chemical-based treatments that are used to melt snow and ice, such as rock salt, can cause irritation for your dog. This can lead to cracking on their paw pads, which results in peeling over time.
Treatment Options
Keep The Wound Clean
When it comes to taking care of any injury with your dog, the most important step is keeping the wound clean. This is because open wounds are far more likely to pick up small pieces of debris from the ground without you noticing.
If you are changing the bandages on your dog’s injured paw, then it is important to clean their wound. Use a washcloth with warm water or paw wipes to remove anything that is too small for you to see.
Topical Treatment
Some ointments are great for creating another barrier between your dog’s paws and the ground. This can be a great preventative measure once their wounds have healed. However, others have been made specifically for treating injured paw pads.
Antibiotic ointments are recommended by vets because they can speed up the healing process and help to get your dog feeling themselves again. Make sure you are contacting a vet before using these, as they may not always be the most appropriate.
Bandage
Next, you will need to carefully bandage your dog’s paw. This stops any other foreign objects from causing additional damage while encouraging the paw pad to heal.
Many pet owners are less familiar with first aid when it comes to treating their furry companion, but it can be highly beneficial to brush up on your knowledge of wrapping your dog’s paws with a bandage or gauze.
Some dog owners find it useful to put a clean, old sock over the bandage. This can prevent your dog from chewing at the bandage and pulling it off.
Contact A Veterinarian
Remember that you should contact your veterinarian before doing anything severe to your dog’s paws. You never know when you could be making things worse without knowing it.
Your vet can take a closer look at your dog, assess their health overall, and consider all the possible causes. From this, they can figure out the best treatment method that will be the most effective.
Summary
There are many causes of dog paw pad peeling, that it can be difficult to know what has contributed to it. Because of this, it is worth contacting your veterinarian in order to determine the best course of action.
