How to Heal Burned Dog Paws

The best way to treat burned dog paws should relate to the severity of the burn. Here are some helpful tips to determine the best form of treatment for your sweet pup.

“Shake,” you command, extending your hand out for your dog to take. When your dog responds, placing his paw in your hand, you notice

Before

something isn’t right. Perhaps your dog is acting like their paw is sore. Or, maybe the paw pad doesn’t look or feel like it should; it’s rough, overly warm, or extremely red, raw or otherwise damaged. Your dog’s paw pads are at risk of burning from so many things, from household chemicals to walking on hot pavement. When the thermostat reads over 80°F, man-made ground surfaces become painfully hot and can reach well over 100°F.

If your dog swims a lot, their paw pads are at a greater risk of burning. Water softens paw pads and so when dogs walk on hot asphalt or other surfaces after getting out of water their paws are ultra-sensitive and more prone to burning or cracking.

Signs of Burned Dog Paws

• Rough or dry paw pads—a sign that your dog’s paws are wearing out or repeatedly exposed to overly hot asphalt or other surfaces.
• Your dog won’t stop licking and chewing at their paws—a clear sign that paws are causing them discomfort or pain.
• Paw pads are darker than usual
• Part of the paw pad is missing
• Paw pads are blistered or red
• Your dog is limping, refusing to walk or reluctant to go outside

How to Treat Burned Dog Paws

The second you notice your dog’s paws are burned or your dog is showing signs of discomfort, run paws under cool water or use a cool compress.

If entire chunks of the paw are missing or your dog appears in pain, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet can identify more serious or deep burns as well as prescribe antibiotics or pain medications as needed.

If your dog remains in good spirits but their paws are mildly burned, it’s time to start treating the problem before it gets worse. Dogs love to lick burned paws, but licking only makes the problem worse and can lead to infection. You can wrap your dog’s paws to prevent licking (which is easier than it sounds), or you can apply a soothing balm like Paw Soother to reduce discomfort, speed up healing, and help deter licking—a win-win-win! Even if your dog continues to lick at paws, it is perfectly safe to consume Paw Soother, after all it’s made from all-natural and organic plant-based materials. You should still do your best to distract your dog from licking by playing games, brushing your dog, or busting out his favorite chew toy.

Made from plant-based ingredients, Paw Soother is infused with moisturizing and soothing qualities that expedite the healing process. It also reduces the risk of infection thanks to its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

Prevention is Key: How to Prevent Burned Dog Paws

If you use a product like Paw Soother to heal your dog’s paws, you’ll notice how soft and smooth they become. While this signifies a healthy paw, it also means your dog is at greater risk of burned paw pads again. You should never walk your dog on hot asphalt, concrete, or other surfaces if you couldn’t stand to walk barefoot on them too. Use the palm of your hand or the sole of your foot to test temperatures. If the ground feels hot, your dog needs protection.

Aside from strapping your pup in bulky shoes that make him walk like the neighborhood rodeo clown, how do you protect your dog’s paws?

PawTector is the sister product to Paw Soother, it’s made from all natural, organic and vegan ingredients, but it is more wax-based to provide additional protection against hot surfaces. The easy to apply balm glides over paws and protects against hot surfaces and harsh elements, as well as contact allergens such as grass or pollen.

Enjoy the power of healing + protection with the PAWdicure pack!

Healthy Paws, thanks to the protection of PawTection