Dogs Pads Are Really Rough

You might notice that your dog s paw pads are rough and calloused or smooth and soft this all depends on the terrain your dog regularly walks on.

Dogs pads are really rough. If you take your dog hiking often or they take regular walks out on asphalt they ll have more calloused paw pads due to the exposure to rougher terrain. While some cracking of the dog paw pads is. Rough pads are no cause for alarm. You may notice loose skin like a blister on the bottom of your dog s paws or even a.

But be sure to rub the ointment in well so. However a variety of factors including hot pavement wintery conditions chemicals dry air exposure to rough surfaces and excessive licking can cause dry cracked paw pads. A dog s paw pads tend to go unnoticed in terms of upkeep but they re one of your pet s most important physical features. Over time dog paws build up a tolerance and become stronger.

The cells in a dog s paw pads have a high turnover rate. Kelly ryan dvm director of veterinary services at the humane society of missouri s animal medical center of mid america. Dog paw pads are meant to be tough. If your dog doesn t normally have rough pads with that look about them you should take him to the vet.

Hammer says the best thing to do is rub vitamin e cream into the pad just like you would if you used hand lotion on your own hands. Rough pads are generally nothing to worry about. They protect your dog s joints by absorbing shock and they allow him to enjoy time outdoors with his favorite people says dr. The bristle paw look may be crazy to look at but it s really not dangerous to your dog.

They re just your dog s way of protecting his paws. Another common paw pad injury develops when dogs exercise for an unusually long period of time or on rough sharp or hot surfaces. Pets paw pads are supposed to be rough so they can get traction on smooth surfaces. Socks slippers sandals boots we humans have many ways of protecting our feet but our dogs really don t.

Instead a healthy paw pad should be smooth to the touch and free of all abrasions. Paw pad hyperkeratosis is an example. If you re giving your puppy a foot rub and feel some texture on the pads it s probably normal. If dogs spend a lot of time on rough surfaces such as concrete runs they will eventually have thickened pads.

They re built tough but there are certain conditions that cause paw pads to be painful. It s not unusual for dogs to have cracked or dry pads. In addition to coming into direct contact with all types of surfaces and terrain pooches sweat through their paws and depend on them. Sure you can try to put booties over your pup s paws but even if they don t kick them off those precious pads can still get dry and cracked.

This is a type of skin condition where a dog develops especially dry crusty and sensitive skin on the bottom of their paws. But once paw pads are rough and dry it s hard for them to heal if they are routinely exposed to the same. Because they are always between a dog and the ground her pads aren t going to be smooth as a whistle.