If your dog has a cut on his paw, you will need to inspect his entire paw to ensure the cut you see is the only one he has. Depending on where this cut is, you will need to apply first aid get it cleaned up and potentially call your veterinarian.
It's always good to know what caused a cut on your dog's paw. If your dog stepped on a piece of glass in your yard, for instance, you would want to know so you can remove that. Inspect your dog's paw, his paw pads, the spaces in between his toes, and the top of his paw for any debris or shards of glass or metal to ensure the culprit has been removed from the paw.
You may need to wet down your dog's paw so you can see clearly through dirt and fur. If you see debris or shards you can remove easily, do so with tweezers. If you can see shards deep into the skin, you may need to call your veterinarian for removal.
While your dog's paw is wet, use a mild dog shampoo or cleaner to wash the entire paw, especially the cut area. After you have washed your pup’s paw, rinse it with a saline solution.
If your little guy’s paw is bleeding, you will need to stop the blood by applying pressure to the cut. You can do this with a soft, clean towel. After your his paw has been washed and the bleeding has stopped, you can begin treatment.
When you know you have control over bleeding and any dirt, debris, or shards of glass or metal stuck in the wound, it's time to apply an antibacterial ointment. This will soften the tissue and begin to heal the tissue while keeping bacteria away and out of the wound.
Apply a bandage on the cut or wrap the entire paw in gauze and medical tape to keep the bandage on. Remember if your dog is walking on a cut, it could break open and begin bleeding again.
As this cut paw is healing, you will need to remove the bandage or gauze and tape and check the wound for additional bleeding, oozing, redness, and swelling. Each time you check it, you can pour saline solution over the cut, dry, reapply your antibacterial ointment then rewrap.
Try to have your little guy rest as much as he can. The more he walks on an injury, the tougher it will be to heal.
If you feel confident in your first aid treatment and the wound is healing nicely, there is probably no need to see your veterinarian. If the cut becomes red or swollen or continues to ooze, or if it has a foul odor, it might be a good idea to call your veterinarian for a phone discussion and possibly an appointment.