Pododermatitis is a common – yet often overlooked – condition that affects a dog’s paws, leading to discomfort, inflammation, and even infection. If you notice that your pup can’t stop licking its paws, or if they’re walking a little bit tenderly, pododermatitis could be the reason. 

Understanding what causes this condition, how you can recognize the symptoms, and what treatments are available will help you manage and prevent it. 

Read on to find out how to keep your pup happy and active!

Essentially, pododermatitis is the official term for inflammation of a dog’s paws, and it affects the skin, hair follicles, and nail beds on their paws. Because our pup’s paws are always on the move and in contact with the ground, they tend to be more prone to irritation, infections, and environmental factors that can trigger this condition. 

While it can sometimes be a temporary issue, other dogs may experience chronic pododermatitis, which unfortunately requires ongoing management.

Dogs aren’t exactly shy about showing discomfort, but sometimes the signs of pododermatitis can be subtle. 

Here are some symptoms to look out for:

If your dog’s paws look irritated and the symptoms hang around for more than a few days, it’s best to schedule a vet visit. 

Signs of infection like pus, a strong smell, or significant pain or discomfort should be addressed immediately to prevent complications.

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Pododermatitis can be caused due to a number of factors. And since it’s not a one-size-fits-all condition, there are different types depending on the cause: 

And there are some other causes to take into account, too:

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Whenever dogs lick their paws a lot, it can exacerbate pre-existing inflammation, creating an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal growth. So breaking this cycle early is key to preventing long-term issues.

If and when the time comes to visit your vet, they might begin with a thorough medical history. Make sure to mention any symptoms you've noticed, when they started, and any environmental or dietary changes that might have triggered the condition. 

Your vet will likely then conduct a physical exam, including checking your dog's temperature, listening to their heart and lungs, and carefully inspecting their paws for swelling, cuts, or signs of infection.

While pododermatitis can often be diagnosed through a physical exam, your vet might recommend that further diagnostic tests are performed to identify the root cause. 

Your vet may recommend one or more of the following tests:

In some cases, your vet may refer your dog to a veterinary dermatologist for specialized testing and advanced treatment options.

Other conditions, like interdigital cysts, burns, or some autoimmune disorders, can present similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis makes sure your pup gets targeted treatment and effective relief.

Since there are so many causes of pododermatitis, there are many treatment options, too. Depending on what’s causing your pup’s condition, here are some different routes to choose from:

For more mild cases of pododermatitis, simple at-home treatments can sometimes provide relief:

More severe cases may require vet intervention through, for example, prescription medications:

Once you’ve diagnosed and treated pododermatitis, you’re almost out of the woods. How can you help your dog avoid this condition in the future? 

Luckily, there are some preventative measures you can take as a pet parent:

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If your dog had surgery for pododermatitis, your vet’s surgical team will provide you with specific post-op care instructions. Make sure you follow these to ensure your pup recovers well! 

You may need to administer prescribed pain medications and antibiotics to help their recovery and prevent post-op infection. Keeping the bandages dry and clean is crucial, since moisture can lead to complications, and using an E-collar will help prevent your dog from biting or licking at their bandages. 

Follow-up vet visits will be necessary to monitor healing progress and remove sutures if needed. Exercise and walks should be restricted during the recovery period to avoid strain on healing paws.

Every case is different, so there’s no blanket answer for how long the recovery period can be, simply because there are so many causes of pododermatitis. 

However, some average recovery times can be: