Summer comes with several risks for pets, including burned paws. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will explain how to notice burnt paws. I will also give some home remedies and prevention tips.
Content:
- How to Tell if Your Dog Has Burnt Paws
- How to Protect Dogs' Paws from Hot Pavement
- Home Remedy for Burned Dog Paws
- Conclusion
How to Tell if Your Dog Has Burnt Paws
You can tell your dog has burnt paws based on the signs and symptoms, which vary based on the severity.
Redness and scaling are typical symptoms of first-degree burns. Second-degree burns manifest with red and moist sores with an oozing appearance.
Eschar (a leathery or charred layer of dead tissue over the burn injury) appears in third- and fourth-degree burns.
First- and second-degree burns are the most painful and are accompanied by limping and paw licking. Bad smell and green discharge (pus) are common as burns get easily infected.
Remember, “physical signs of a burn often lag behind the initial injury by 48 hours or more,” warns Amy Fox, DVM, in an article for The Spruce Pets.
Use Petcube’s GPS Tracker to track your dog’s movements and keep an eye on its paws after walking on hot surfaces.
How to Protect Dogs' Paws from Hot Pavement
Burns occur within 60 seconds of exposure to pavement at temperatures exceeding 158°F. Yet, studies suggest they can occur at temperatures as low as 111°F if the exposure is long enough.
Here are some helpful paw protection tips:
- Do not walk your dog on pavements and asphalts when it is hot
- Walk your dog early in the morning or late at night during the summer months
- Use grass areas when playing with your dog outside
- Invest in a pair of fancy dog booties/shoes (“There are boots on Amazon for cheap,” says a Reddit user)
- Check the dog’s paws regularly and call the vet if something is wrong
Home Remedy for Burned Dog Paws
Home remedies are helpful for mild burns and serve as good first aid. Cold water and honey are the top options.
- Cold Water. Deep the dog’s burnt paw in a bucket filled with cold water to provide immediate pain relief and reduce the inflammation.
- Honey. Applying honey on burns is great as it “creates a moist healing environment, promotes tissue debridement, eliminates infections, has a deodorizing effect, and reduces inflammation,” studies suggest.
When dealing with paw burns, limit the dog’s movement and use an Elizabethan collar to avoid additional trauma.
Always see the vet if the home treatment is not effective and the burns are severe. Vet care for burns can be expensive, as the treatment often involves antibiotics, pain killers, or in severe cases, even surgical reconstruction.
This is where the Petcube Emergency Fund helps. It covers up to $3,000 for emergency vet bills and unlimited access to online vets. Use this link to receive a 27% discount on the fund.
Conclusion
Paw burns are common, especially spiking in July. Protect your dog’s paws during hot weather and seek veterinary help if accidents occur. Get the Petcube Emergency Fund and rest assured that your dog gets proper care when needed.