Calluses on dogs’ paw pads are actually very common, but that doesn’t mean that they should go untreated.
For one, they don’t look too attractive, but on a more serious note, they can actually cause your dog pain when walking and standing on their paws.
They’re much like the calluses that we get on our hands and feet, and they get them for the same reason too – pressure or rubbing on the skin.
We all want the best for our furry friends, so what do we do when we notice that they have developed one?
Well this article is going to tell all. We’re going to be explaining what calluses on your dog’s paw pad, how to remove them and tips on how to prevent them from coming back in the future.
What Are Calluses On A Dog’s Paw Pad?
The main thing to understand is what a callus actually is, so that you can spot them when they appear on your dog’s feet.
They look like small chunks of dry skin on your dog’s paw pads, essentially they look like the corns we get on our hands and feet.
You’ll be able to tell a callus from a cut, as the skin will be rough and have a very firm texture to it when you run your hand over one.
They usually won’t begin as painful for your pet, but overtime the callus can become worse and even get infected if they’re left untreated.
Calluses aren’t just limited to paw pads either, they can also occur on other parts of your dog’s body, like their hips and elbows.
Calluses on your dog’s paw pad will develop from continuous walking on rough surfaces.
So, for example, if you constantly walk your dog on concrete, their paws will start to develop these hard, rough chunks of dry skin on their paw pads, which is why calluses are so common.
Your dog’s paw pads are super sensitive, and that’s something that you’ve got to keep in mind when deciding to walk them, even the weather can play a part in developing calluses.
If you walk your dog on a hot sidewalk, their pads can become thicker and develop more calluses and even if you walk them in cold and icy conditions, they can develop calluses too.
If you’re not mindful of it, they could develop infections on their paw pad, so the most important thing is to determine what the cause of their paw pad callus is to prevent them from reappearing.
Of course, make sure to rule out any potential health issues, as sometimes calluses (albeit rarely) can be caused by underlying health issues.
Many vitamin deficiencies can actually cause calluses on your dog’s paw pad to develop, so before anything, get in touch with your vet about them to rule out any potential illnesses and paw pad problems.
Ways To Remove Calluses From Your Dog’s Feet
Removing a callus on your dog’s paw pad is easy, it’s getting them to sit still whilst you do it that’s the hard part!
The main things you’ll need are your dogs favorite treats and a handheld pumice stone.
Basically the same thing that we use to remove calluses on our own hands and feet.
- Soak your dog’s paw pad in a bowl of warm water for a couple of minutes. If your dog keeps fidgeting, then get one of their favorite treats, or better yet a toy stuffed with their favorite treats to keep them distracted.
- After your dog’s paw pads have been soaked for a few minutes, take them out and pat their paws dry with a towel.
- This part is the tricky bit. Using one hand, hold your dog’s paw and in the other hand grab your pumice stone and start rubbing it on the top of the callus. This is the part where your dog will be fidgeting the most, so make sure you have help on hand if you need it.
- When you’re starting out with the pumice stone, make sure to apply a medium pressure on the callus and then check to see if the callus has become worn down. This is important because over-grinding a callus can be very painful for your dog.
- Keep rubbing the callus over the affected area until your dog’s paw pad starts to look normal again.
- If your dog just won’t sit still at all, or is becoming frustrated. Stop and continue the session the next day.
Tips To Avoid Calluses Growing On Your Dog’s Paw Pad
Once you’ve gotten rid of the callus, the main thing you’ll be thinking about is ensuring that they don’t return.
There are a few things that you can do so that your dog can avoid getting them again in the future.
Moisturize Their Paw Pads
Since calluses are essentially just big chunks of dry skin, a good way of preventing them is just by simply moisturizing them. You can use special paw butter, or just good old vaseline.
When you get back from walking your dog, start to make a habit of moisturizing their paws. This is one of the best ways to prevent the calluses from returning.
Keep Their Nails Trimmed
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed (see also ‘How To Treat A Torn Dog Nail‘) is also a sure fire way to make sure that calluses don’t return.
Sometimes overgrown nails that start to curl inwards can cause calluses on your dog’s paw pad, so it’s best, for their own comfort and health, to regularly keep them trimmed to a suitable length and make sure to do it often.
If you’re worried about doing this yourself, don’t worry, your vet can do it for you for a small fee.
If you are going to be doing it yourself, make sure that you don’t cut their nails too close to the quick, as this can cause quite a lot of bleeding and it can cause pain for your furry friend.
