Cracked Dog Paw

by Jody
(Ontario)

Cracked Dog Paw Reader Question: I just noticed that my dog has dry cracked paws in the area where the nail and the paw meet. It looks like it is turning white. It reminds me of looking at clothing that has damage due to salt in the winter. His paws have been dry for a while and it is causing him to slip more often around the house and now he can't climb the wood stairs because he slides.


Cracked Dog Paw Dog Health Guide Editor Comment:

Anatomically, dog paws are made to endure exposure to hard conditions, environmental factors and pathogens (disease), as they are comprised of relatively harder tissues.

Sometimes, due to some primary reason such as fungus or environmental factors, dog paws may get cracked, bleed or develop symptoms like whitening, appear rotten or they loose moisture.

In this particular case, you can treat this condition by providing some extra care. Limit your dog's activity to limited areas of your home. Make sure that the room doesn't have any object on the floor which could cause damage to your dog's feet, since the dog paws and nails are very sensitive right now.

Soak the dog paws in warm water. If the paws do not appear injured or if the underlying tissues are not visible, you can add a minor quantity of white vinegar to the water.

Dry the paws carefully and apply a herbal remedy such as Animals' Apawthecary FidoDerm Herbal Spray for Dogs. It contains aloevera and marigold extracts. Both of these components will soothe and will inhibit any fungal growth over canine paws.

For hastening healing and treating cracks, you can use common petroleum jelly. A coat of petroleum jelly will help to not only heal the cracks, but will protect any affected part from the environment.

Once the dog paw pads appear to have recovered, you can try a natural remedy formulated to maintain and recover paw health status such as Paw Paw.

Consult a veterinarian if you see the dog paw condition worsening or if it starts to affect adjoining parts of the dog's feet, as it can be a serious fungal and secondary infection, which can only be treated with a specific therapy.

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