Red paws in dogs indicate that there’s something wrong, and they often bring discomfort and pain to your dog. This can be concerning, and as a pet owner, you want to keep your dog’s paws healthy and avoid paw issues in the future.

So, how do you treat your dog’s red paws? In this blog, we will discuss some causes of red paws in dogs, how to treat them, and how to prevent your dog from getting red paws.

What Causes Red Paws in Dogs?

You may be wondering, “Why are my dog’s paws red?” Here are possible causes of red dog paws:

1. Allergies

Like us humans, dogs can have allergies too. Dogs can be allergic to various substances, such as pollen, grass, specific foods, dust mites, mold, or household chemicals. The allergy can manifest in their skin, which would then lead to red and itchy paws.

2. Foreign Objects and Injuries

Foreign objects and injuries are another cause of red paws. Your dog may have stepped on small stones, pieces of glass, thorns, or other sharp objects.

These foreign objects can get stuck in their paw, causing them to limp or struggle to move normally. It would then cause irritation and redness to your dog’s paws.

Sharp objects or rough surfaces can also cause injuries like cuts, scrapes, puncture wounds, or abrasions. These injuries can cause redness and swelling.

3. Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Bacterial and fungal infections are another problem for dogs, as they can lead to inflammation, irritation, and redness. You may notice an unpleasant odor as well, and your dog may constantly lick their feet for relief.

4. Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, and Mites

Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites could reside in your dog’s feet and bite their paw pads, leading to redness and inflammation. These parasites can also transmit diseases that would add to your dog’s discomfort.

5. Dry Skin

Dry skin on your dog’s paws can also lead to redness and itching. Dry can be caused by harsh grooming products or skin conditions.

6. Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures can also affect your dog’s paw pads. If they walk on hot or frozen surfaces, this can result in burns, which would then lead to painful and red paws. Your dog may constantly lick their paws to attempt to relieve themselves of the pain, which could lead to bacterial infections.

7. Ingrown Toenails

Your dog’s nails may grow too long and can curl back if you don’t cut them regularly. Ingrown toenails can grow into the skin surrounding your dog’s paw, which would then cause redness and pain.

8. Boredom and Anxiety

Another cause of a dog’s red paws could be a behavioral problem. Anxious or bored dogs tend to engage in compulsive behavior like excessively licking or chewing their paws, which would lead to redness and irritation.

How to Treat Red Dog Paws: Home Remedies

When you notice your dog’s red paws, it’s best to treat them immediately. Here are some home remedies to treat your dog’s red paws:

1. Clean Your Dog’s Paws

Clean your dog’s paws with warm water and use dog-friendly soap or shampoo to remove any dirt or irritants that may be causing the red paws. Remember to rinse thoroughly, because any leftover soap or shampoo residue can make the problem worse.

2. Moisturize with Coconut Oil

Using coconut oil is another remedy for your dog’s red paws. Coconut oil can help soothe dry and irritated paws, moisturize skin, and keep off parasites. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your dog’s paws and massage it gently.

3. Oatmeal Baths

Oatmeal baths can soothe irritated skin and help relieve itchiness and inflammation in your dog’s paws. Run a warm bath and put plain oatmeal into the water. This will help treat your dog’s red paws.

4. Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salt promotes healing and can help relieve discomfort. Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a basin of warm water and soak your dog’s paws for 5-10 minutes daily. This can help reduce inflammation and irritation.

5. Cold Compress

Cold compresses can help reduce itchiness, swelling, and pain. Apply a cold compress to your dog’s paw daily.

It’s important to note that the lists of the causes of red paws and treatment are not exhaustive. Your dog may have red paws for other reasons, such as diseases. And if the redness continues despite trying the home remedies mentioned above, it’s important to consult a veterinarian.

For instance, if your dog has a bacterial infection, your veterinarian may prescribe the right antibiotics or recommend antibacterial shampoos for treatment.

Preventing Your Dog from Getting Red Paws

You can take some actions to prevent your dog from getting red paws in the first place. Here are some preventive measures:

1. Check Your Dog’s Paws Regularly

Regularly check your dog’s paws, especially after they’ve been outside. Check if they’ve stepped on anything and remove foreign objects.

2. Keep Paws Clean: Wash Your Dog’s Paws When Dirty

Your dog might be playing in the mud, running around the sand, or simply playing outdoors. When your dog’s paws get dirty, it’s important to wash them immediately to prevent bacteria or viruses from staying in their paws. Wash their paws with warm water.

3. Regular Dog Grooming

It’s important to keep your dog clean to prevent red paws from happening. Regular dog grooming, which includes paw care, helps prevent red paws. Consider the following:

Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

Ingrown toenails are among the causes of red paws. It’s important to properly trim your dog’s nails to prevent overgrowing and other issues from happening.

Trimming Paw Fur

Excessive paw pad fur can cause issues such as ingrown hairs, irritation, or infection. Make sure to trim your dog’s paw fur and don’t let it grow past their paw pads.

Avoid Harsh Weather Conditions

As mentioned earlier, extreme temperatures can cause burns on your dog’s paws. So, avoid taking your dog for a walk when it’s extremely hot or extremely cold. The ground may be too hot in the summer, so go for early morning or late evening walks. In the winter, there may be ice or chemicals on the ground that can irritate your dog’s paws.

Avoid Allergens: Keep Your Dog’s Environment Clean

Keep your dog’s environment clean to avoid exposing them to allergens. Regularly sweep the areas they often stay at. This will not only help you get rid of dust, but it will also help you sweep away sharp objects such as pieces of broken glass or anything that could injure your dog’s paws.

Contact The Barking Lot for Dog Grooming Services

Dog grooming plays a crucial role in your dog’s overall health and well-being, and part of regular grooming includes nail clipping and paw care. It’s important to keep your dog clean to prevent paw issues.

At The Barking Lot, we offer dog grooming services from bathing, brushing, and nail trimming to more specialized treatments such as paw pad moisturizing. We can help keep your dog’s paws healthy. Contact us today!