My dog has raw, painful paw pads. Is covering them helping or harming?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Chow Chow | Female | spayed | 12 years and 5 months old | 35 lbs
My Chow Chow has developed really raw paw pads. Painful for her to walk on. I have no idea what it is, and the vets said nothing but gave her an antibiotic. I've put baby socks on her with ointment, but I'm not sure if I'm helping or harming the healing process because I have no idea what this is! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm desperate!
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 18th, 2019
Poor Lola! If she is not getting better, I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian again. It’s possible she has skin mites or a yeast infection in the foot and the doctor may need to do a basic diagnostic test. Keeping the foot covered can actually increase the risk for infection. It is better to let the air get to the area. To keep her from licking the foot, have Lola wear an Elizabethan collar at all times. Starting her on an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for dogs may also help. Lastly, if the problem continues, it could be related to allergies or an endocrine disease. I hope this helps please feel to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 21st, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is difficult to say for sure what is going on with the paw pads due to the pictures being blurry but I suspect the paw pads are blistered. I would recommend resting snowball for the next 7-10 days and soaking her feet in warm epsom salt water for relief. You can add 1tbsp to 1 gallon of warm water and do this twice daily. Make sure you dry her feet very well after. If you see any signs of infection such as swelling, pus, etc. then I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at her so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on December 27th, 2016
In terms of home remedy you can bath them in lukewarm water and dry them then apply coconut oil. If the first layer of skin seems to have come off the pad you could mix some Manuka honey to the coconut oil ,apply it and then bandage the feet in order to prevent licking of the area, using some non sticky dressing. Dressing her feet will also help providing some padding and not putting too much pressure on them. Rest, rest rest and no hunting until completely healed. I would recommend a trip to the vets if in a lot of pain for pain relief and if pads are oozing some serum, as she might need veterinary antibacterial ointment and possibly oral antibiotics. You should definitely use some protective ointments for the pads in the future when going outside in icy wether conditions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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