Home Remedies for Dogs With Sore Paws

A dog's foot pads are firm and thick, since they were designed by nature to endure tough surfaces. But durable as they are, a dog paws are still susceptible to soreness, burns, and scrapes. Sore foot pads are a common aftereffect of a long day of hiking, walking on hot pavement in the summertime, or overdoing a play session due to a dog's natural exuberance.

What to Do About It

If a pet's paws are dog-tired, you can give her some relief with a thick paste of pine tar and fuller's earth. Apply the mixture to the affected area to soothe and heal it. After an outdoor jaunt, always check your dog's paws for cuts and scratches. If your dog was running around in a muddy area, wash her paws with some soap and water, and dry her feet thoroughly.

When to Call the Vet

Sore footpads usually do not require a trip to the vet, unless you notice your dog is limping or you find a deep wound on her paw.

Now that we've studied sore dog paws, we'll consider another malady we humans are familiar with -- sunburn. Dogs can get it, too. It's covered in the next section.