How to Treat and Prevent Burned Dog Paws: Essential Tips for Dog Owners
Dogs are always prone to burn their paw pads whenever they are standing or walking across hot surfaces like pavement or asphalt, especially in the hot summer months. Rough terrains, fires, extensive exercises, snow and ice, and specific chemicals where your dog would accidentally walk through, causing significant burns. The majority of pet parents are often aware of the danger of facing heat stroke as they should consider the sidewalks and roads, as well as the soil and gravel that turn extremely heated up whenever they get exposed to the higher intensity of temperatures and sunlight. Therefore, it is essential to understand the importance of paw care.
Although the paw pads are effectively streamlined to safeguard the dog's feet, they are prone to significant burns. We will now take a closer look at the way you can spot, treat, and prevent the burned paw pad of your dog with the help of our extensive guide.
What Causes Paw Burns?
When the paw pads of your dog get burned, it results from numerous environmental factors, with hot pavement becoming the main culprit or one of the main causes of burned dog paws. In the summertime, the asphalt, sidewalks, and even the sandy beaches would reach levels of temperatures that become intolerable for your furry companion. Unlike any other humans, who typically wear shoes for safeguarding their feet, dogs rely on the natural padding of their paws, which remains insufficient against the heat extremities.
There are a few specific weather conditions that make your dogs prone to the risk of facing paw burns. For instance, during sunny days when the air temperature reaches 77°F (25°C), the asphalt often reaches a scorching 125°F (51°C). It becomes hot enough even to fry an egg. There are numerous other surfaces, including the hot pavement dog paw burns, truck beds, metal grates, and artificial turf that become extremely hot. Knowledge about the reasons behind the dog's paws helps you to undertake the preventative measures that can help keep your dog safe.
Symptoms of Burned Dog Paws
Identifying the symptoms indicating your dog's burned paws remains important for on-time treatment. Dog with burned paws shows signs of limping and even refusing to walk, indicating discomfort or pain. You would often find your dog licking and even chewing your paws while you try soothing out the irritation. The following are the symptoms of burned dog paws that you will find.
- Dry or rough paw pads - it is the symptom that the paws of your dog have started to wear out or have gotten exposed repeatedly overlying the hot asphalt as well as the other.
- Your stop continuously licks and chews their paws- a clear symptom of paws causing pain or discomfort.
- Paw Pads turn darker than normal, as one of the dog paw burn signs.
- Missing part of paw pad.
- Red or blistered paw pads.
- Your dog starts to limp, is reluctant to go outside, or refuses to walk.
Treatment for Burned Dog Paws
Immediate First Aid for Burned Paws
If you can’t get your dog to the veterinarian immediately, you need to have dog paw burn first aid to treat your dog with these simple steps at home to prevent infection and further injury:
- Paw pads should be rinsed with cool water as soon as possible. This assists in removing any debris that may be on the skin and also relieves the burning sensation. If possible, apply a cool compress to the affected area.
- Make your dog lie down. It is recommended that they take off their feet right away to avoid aggravating the situation with their paws. Walking on injured feet will cause sores, worsen burns, and slow down recovery. If possible, take them away. If not, take your dog to an area with grass.
- Wash your dog’s paws with care. Check whether there are any foreign materials trapped in the pad or have penetrated the pad. If you can, easily and gently remove the foreign object. If it is lodged in strongly, then one should not try to touch it at all. Rinse the affected paws of the dog with water and mild anti-bacterial soap and rinse.
- Use antibiotic ointment to treat the injury on your dog's paws. Antibiotic creams safe for dogs or paw balms can be used on your dog’s paws prior to having them checked by the vet. Use gauze to fold them in the right way. Slightly swollen toes indicate that the bandage is too tight and circulation in the limb is restricted.
Home Remedies and Professional Care
Several home remedies can help in the healing process of minor burns. One natural remedy is aloe vera, which is normally used to reduce inflammation when applied to the affected area. Make sure that you apply only the original aloe vera gel, which has no other components because some of them are toxic to dogs.
Coconut oil also came out to be very helpful in terms of treatment since it has fantastic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Rubbing on a small portion of the ointment puts on the affected paws and assists in restoring the skin’s natural moisture, thus, no more cracking. Another example of a useful product is calendula cream, which is successfully applied for the treatment involving soothing burned dog paws.
Holistic healing is highly beneficial for infected dogs, and the dog’s status must be closely monitored. If any of these signs have not improved in a few days or if the burns seem to be getting worse, consult a veterinarian. There are paw balms or creams that can be purchased over the counter that are specifically for treating and healing burned paws according to the advice given by a veterinarian. Many of these products include such components as shea butter, beeswax, and vitamin E and are designed to help nourish as well as protect the healing skin.
Tips for Protecting Your Dog’s Paws
1) Check Pavement Temperature: A very basic way to prevent dog paw burns is to lay the back of your hand on the pavement for about seven seconds. If it is too hot for you to stand, imagine how your dog would feel. Choose the grassed areas or shaded pathways, mostly because these are cooler, to avoid burning your dog's paws.
2) Use Dog Booties: That is why dog booties are ideal to be used in protecting the paws of the dogs from hot surfaces. These protective shoes cover your dog’s feet, thus creating a barrier between the ground and the paw pads on your dog’s feet. While choosing the booties, one must check to see if the booties fit well, are comfy, and do not come off easily. Some dogs are quite stubborn and may take some time before they get used to wearing booties; therefore, it is best to introduce the booties indoors.
3) Walk During Cooler Times: This, together with early morning and late evening when the sun has risen or sunk low, is because the ground becomes warm and not hot, and this is the best time for dogs to be taken for walks. Try to walk your dog before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. because those are the periods in the day when surfaces such as pavements are hottest.
4) Use Paw Wax or Balm: If your dog is not ready to wear booties, you should use paw wax or balm before going out. Paw waxes act as a shield on the paw pads, protecting them from burns due to hot surfaces. They can also aid in treating minor burns or injuries for protecting dog paws from burns.
5) Stay in the Shade: To minimize or avoid exposure to heat, try to walk through shaded areas as much as possible. Sheltered areas such as behind trees, under buildings, or any structure will afford some respite from the heat. If shade is scarce in a given area, you will need to carry an umbrella to shade your dog from the scorching sun.
Long Term Paw Care Strategies
Regular Paw Inspections: It is important to practice this. You should check your dog’s paws each time, especially after a walk. Look for any signs of cut, burn, splinter, or other injury. This enables doctors and other health care providers to attend to the patients before complications arise and some conditions progress from mere ailments to diseases.
Keep Nails Trimmed: Long nails also risk your dog developing bad foot posture; their weight is distributed inadequately, and as a result, they are likely to experience some injuries. It is beneficial for your dog’s paws to be in the best shape possible, which is why creating a routine of trimming the nails is very useful in preventing any more strain on the paw pads than is necessary.
Moisturize Paw Pads: Like every part of human skin, dog paw pads can become rough and scaly, and this can be specifically seen in extreme weather. You should apply an ointment that is friendly to the pet and is part of your pet’s moisturizing routine. Prevent dryness of pads and gloves, as these are more vulnerable to cracks that can cause grievous injuries like burns.
Hydration: The general hydration of the pet is important in paw health, and the dog has to be regularly provided with fresh and clean water. Dew-crawled dogs have affected paw leather, which is dry, less supple, and characterized by cracks that make the paw pads easily burn or get injured. Make sure that your dog always has fresh and clean water, particularly during a very hot day.
Adapt to Weather Conditions: There is nothing in common with paw care during cold days and during hot summer days. During hot weather, ensure that you avoid your dog from scalding its paws. In freezing conditions, keep the paws out of ice, snow, and salt, which can cause skin and paw irritation and injury. Dog booties can be worn throughout the year since, in some climates, they protect the paws from the hot pavement, and in other climates, they protect from the cold pavement.
Conclusion
The dog’s paw pads would often get burned whenever they stroll onto hot surfaces, snow or ice, frustrating chemicals, as well as rigid terrains. It is essential to have an awareness of the surface temperatures and weather conditions before you start walking your dog. In a couple of instances, you can go for short walks, preventing any injuries. If you need more tips to prevent burned paw pads for your dog, Up and Away Pups brings you the ultimate guide, which you can find online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Treat My Dog's Burnt Paws?
Keep the dog's burned paw pads in cooler water for about ten minutes. If your dog feels irritated, try applying the soaked cloth to the paw.
How to Moisturize Dog Paws Naturally?
If you keep your dogs outdoors during the winter, you should consider using wax-based pad conditioners. Treating their pads weekly with petroleum jelly, olive oil, or coconut oil can help soften the paw pads.
What Can I Put on My Dogs Feet to Protect Them?
Whenever you fail to make your dog wear booties, try applying Vaseline or even paw balm to their paws, as they are the best salt barrier.