How to Treat a Paw Pad Burn on Your Dog

With fun in the sun also comes some dangers: Overheating, dehydration, and burnt paw pads. Many forget about the latter – forgetting our pooches don’t have protection from the pavement like we do when we wear shoes. If you’re not cautious, Fido could end up receiving a nasty burn on their paws. Let’s dive more into how you can prevent and treat this problem.

Recognizing Paw Pad Burns

If your canine has burnt their paws, they’ll be showing signs of discomfort, by possibly holding up the foot in pain, limping, or even vocalizing their pain when they have to walk on it. Additionally, the burn will be visible to the naked eye. In severe cases, the black paw pad can even turn a blistering red. Burns will eventually manifest into blisters, and your furry friend will most likely be found excessively licking their feet to try to ease the pain.

Treatment for a Severe Burn

If a burn on your pup’s paw is severe, then they should be taken to their veterinarian for treatment. Once there, your canine’s paw will most likely be bandaged, and antibiotics will be administered. Afterward, your dog will need plenty of rest and avoid hot pavements entirely until the wound is completely healed. The most important thing you can do is keep an eye on them at this time. Don’t let your pooch lick the injuries area because it can cause other issues down the line.

It’s going to take a lot of time and patience during Fido’s healing period, especially since their paws are a high motion area. It might be beneficial to get some soft dogy booties or children’s socks to put on your pup’s paws to help protect the damaged tissue and provide them with a bit more comfort.

The healing process will all depend on the extent of your furry friend’s burn. The most severe cases can take weeks to heal fully. Fortunately enough, though, as long as you give your pooch time to heal, there shouldn’t be any long-term damage caused to their paw pads.

Avoiding Paw Pad Burns

There are several ways you can be proactive about avoiding paw pad burns. You can walk your canine early in the morning and later in the evening – when the concrete has cooled. Before ever letting your pooch touch the pavement, put your hand down on it, and if you can’t keep your hand on it for more than 5 seconds, than you can’t expect Fido to. When the concrete is too hot, keep your furry friend on the grass.

During the heat of the summer, it’s best to keep walks to a minimum, especially when the temperature is so high it makes it unbearable to walk on the pavement. If you play it safe and follow these tips, though, Fido should be just fine.