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My dog is limping and has a sore paw. Could snow be the cause?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 8 months old | 5.2 lbs

My dog had a dark paw but with good light u can see a lighhter colored spot and it hurt to walk on it it seems, so she limps everywhere not stepping on the foot often, what could this be? Could it be from taking her to potty in snow?

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 6th, 2018

R Yes this appears to be an abrasion on your pets paws. Try soaking her paws in a warm water Epsom salt bath for 5-10 minutes to help with some of the soreness and inflammation. You can then place a sock on her foot and keep it secure with bandage tape if possible. You can also cleanse it with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water. This will help keep it from getting infected. From now on place booties on her feet when she goes out in the snow to help prevent further damage to her paws. You can purchase this through an online merchant or at some pet stores. Best wishes with Bubbles and her paws and take care.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hello. I am sorry that Bubbles is having some paw pain. I do not think walking in the snow is causing her pain unless she is walking through a lot of salt or Ice-Melt. She may be developing a corn in the pad. It may also be some secondary inflammation from a previous trauma, or even some local vasculitis going on. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out where an injury or condition came from. You can try having her wear a protective bootie made for sled dogs or tough terrain. It will act like a sneaker to cushion the foot. If it does not seem to be getting any better, consider getting the foot looked at with an x-ray to make sure nothing else is going on. Hope she is doing better soon. Take care.

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    Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 19th, 2018

    This looks like a sore from the ice that is getting infected. Please use a cone on her so she doesn’t lick this. I would soak the paw in warm water with some epsoms salt to draw out the infection and toughen up the skin. Paw wounds like this can take a week or more to improve so please take her out only for short potty walks and let her rest. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lucy.

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