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Why are my dog's paws red, inflamed, and infected? Is it allergies?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Weimaraner | Male | 8 years and 8 months old | 90 lbs

My dog has been battling an ongoing paw issue. His paws get red and inflamed between the pads, and eventually boils and pustules form. Then a bacterial infection sets in. I have had him on and off antibiotics for 6 months (Simplicef). 3 week runs of antibiotics at a time. His paws are sentistive to touch and always very red and sore. I’ve tried changing his food and nothing helps. He has also lost the hair on his tail. The vet said it’s Pododermatitis and that there is no real cure. Please help!

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on October 9th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on your description, I would be suspicious that this is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on November 3rd, 2017

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is most likely due to allergies based on its location. If he is chewing at the paws and scratching in other locations steroids and a medication called Apoquel can help to decrease the itch. The possible secondary infection would have to be treated as well. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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