How to Clean a Wound on a Dog's Paw
Medium
10 - 15 Minutes
1 Day
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Introduction
Walking around without shoes can be tough on the feet. Your dog’s paws can become dry and cracked or cut and scratched or poked and tender just from walking around your yard or around the neighborhood. If you notice a wound on your dog’s paw, he will likely be licking it often or you may notice blood or even limping. When you discover the wound on your dog’s paw you will need to get it cleaned up as soon as you can to ensure it heals quickly and properly without dirt, yeast, or infection setting in.
Dog's Perspective
If your little guy has been hurt, his paws are probably sensitive and tender. He may wince or pull away from you when you look at the paw because of the pain and discomfort. Be gentle and understanding of what he may be feeling.
The Cut Wounds Method
Effective
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Shampoo
Step
1
Inspect
You’ll need to inspect the paw for additional injuries. Look carefully on all the foot pads on all his feet. If he stepped on something with one paw, he may have injured other paws as well. Inspect between the toes for cuts and on his nails for splits.
Step
2
Dirt and debris
First, you’ll need to remove any dirt or debris from the wound. This could include glass or sticks. Consider using gloved fingers or tweezers to remove any of this debris. Look carefully for small shards, splinters, or rocks.
Step
3
Cool water
Once you have removed any dirt and debris and isolated the wounds, place the paw in a bowl of cool water. Your dog may try to pull away, but try to soak it for a few minutes. Swishing the paw around in the water or pouring water over the wound will help rinse out any finer particles you were unable to reach.
Step
4
Soap
Use a mild soap to wash the wound. Avoid too much scrubbing to avoid causing pain. You’ll want enough soap on the wound to disinfect it.
Step
5
Next steps
Once the wound is clean, you’ll need to assess the next steps. If the cut is deep or if you suspect there is still debris you cannot get to, consider contacting your veterinarian for assistance. If the wound is superficial, place antibacterial ointment on it and wrap it with gauze to keep your pup from licking it.
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The Burn Wounds Method
Effective
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Shampoo
Step
1
Weather prevention
Before your dog ever gets a burn wound on his paw, be sure you are familiar with the hazards he can run into out and about. The summer sun creates hot surfaces. Be cautious of your dog walking across a hot patio, sidewalk, road, or parking lot in the heat of the summer. Winter ice can cause slipping and sliding. Ice can also cause frostbite, which burns the skin and pads.
Step
2
Chemical prevention
Be aware of any chemical in your home or garage that can spill and attract your dog’s attention. Ingestion isn’t the only concern with chemicals. If your dog walks through a spill, depending on the solution, it could burn his feet. Outside of burning, you pup could lick the substance off his paws, ingesting the material.
Step
3
Soak
If your dog has been exposed to harsh weather conditions or chemicals, soak his paws in cool to room temperature water. Do not make the water too hot as this may burn more.
Step
4
Wash
If there are chemicals on your dog’s skin, use a mild soap or dog shampoo to clean the paws. Be sure to wash all of his paws even if you are unsure if all paws stepped in the solution.
Step
5
Antibiotic
No matter how your dog’s paws were burned, once they are rinsed and cleaned, apply antibiotic ointment to the paw pads and injuries. This will help keep bacteria out of any wounds. You may see blistering or scabbing over the days to come. Keep applying ointment several times a day.
Step
6
Wrap
Keep the paws wrapped just after you apply the ointment to keep your dog from licking. Check the wrap at least twice a day to apply the ointment and to ensure the wound is healing.
Step
7
Veterinarian
If the burn is severe, see your veterinarian. If it appears to be a small burn at first but worsens over a few days, see your veterinarian.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- Be aware of conditions before letting your dog outside.
- If you need to drop your dog off somewhere in extreme heat, consider carrying him over hot parking lots or parking near the door if he is too large to carry.
- You can also bring mats to carry through a hot parking lot for your dog to walk on. You’ll need at least two mats to place in front of your dog as he walks forward.
- Rinse a hot patio off with a hose before allowing your dog to walk on it.
- Winter weather is just as hard as summer weather. Dogs love snow and playing on ice, but watch closely for signs of paw injuries because of the weather.
- In the least, with summer and winter weather, keep your dog’s time out in hard conditions to a minimum.
- Walk your yard every day with an awareness of glass or sticks and plant debris such as thorns that could harm your pup.
- Be aware of chemicals in your house, garage, and yard.
- Clean up spills quickly with your dog safely away from the mess.
- Know what things your dog can get into while you are away. Items in your home from a fragile vase to a bottle of household cleaner can cause injury.
Conclusion
If your dog’s paw is wounded, you’ll need to pay close attention to the injury and try to figure out what happened so your pup can avoid it happening again. Get those feet clean and moving again with some tender loving care and first aid.
