How to Properly Manage a Dog’s Cut Paw Pad

by Christy Caplan | July 7, 2023

Bullies are helpful!

We’re having quite a summer. We were on a hike in a FOREST, and Herschel ended up walking on something that cut his paw pad in half. It was a nightmare. I have literally no idea how this happened!

My biggest advice which I know is crazy, is to train your dog to wear an Elizabethan collar and soft cone. Do this now before any emergencies. The past weeks would have been horrible if Herschel had not been comfy with his cone. Also, train your dog to wear boots. He’s wearing a wound boot (below) and now RuffWear boots, probably for a while. This training was painful, and on top of this, my dog was injured, and he HAD to wear boots which he didn’t like at all. Trust me – you’ll thank me.

My tip is to keep boots on for at least 12 days. We are seeing the injury finally close at about 13 days, so for Herschel, 14 days will be the soonest he can go back to normal exercise. I’m positive it will be 21 days before the injury is completely healed.

Wound boot

If your dog has cut a paw pad, here are some top tips:
1. Clean the wound: First, you should clean the wound. Pour a mild antiseptic solution on the wound to disinfect it and avoid any chance of infection.
2. Stop the bleeding: Apply gentle pressure on the wound with a clean cloth or gauze until the bleeding stops. I used a towel in a pinch.
3. Protect the wound: Cover it with a sterile gauze or bandage to protect it from further damage and keep it clean.
4. Seek vet attention if it’s deep: If the cut is deep or the bleeding doesn’t stop after applying pressure, contact your veterinarian immediately. I actually thought sutures would be needed.
5. Limit activity: Keep your dog’s activity levels low, and avoid any strenuous activity such as running and jumping, as this can tear the wound open and cause further complications.
This is where sedatives come into play – and if you already read my neuter post, you know I had to use trazodone to keep him calm. I had plenty so just weeks after his neuter, we were back to sedatives.
6. Keep it Clean: Keep the wound clean and dry to help it heal more quickly. Change the bandage regularly and keep the area free from any dirt or debris. Herschel is a difficult patient. Getting a daily bandage on wasn’t happening so I used a sock inside and the wound boot outside.
Remember, the paw pad is sensitive and takes time to heal. Therefore, monitoring your dog’s wound and seeking medical attention when needed is important.

Ok, here’s my timeline of pics for folks wondering how long this takes to heal. Basically 14-21 days so forever.

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 12/13:

We’re finally seeing some progress! We’re likely 2 or 3 days away from the wound closing entirely.

Herschel will likely wear boots for a few more months! Here is Herschel with his Ruffwear GripTrex boots. I recommend these boots for everyday use as this wound boot is literally only for walking out to go potty.

This is non-negotiable, and you need to size these properly, so it may take a few sizes to determine the best way forward. Herschel wears a 3.0-inch boot. We also tried a size up and down.

I had to wear my patience hat since we just got through post-op but now we’re headed back into the dog days of summer! Holler with questions if this happens to you!

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There are 3 Comments

  1. How to Properly Manage a Dog’s Cut Paw Pad | Wag and Cluck – My Blog says:
    July 8, 2023 at 1:45 am

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  2. Tails Around the Ranch says:
    July 9, 2023 at 9:33 am

    Yikes! Poor Herschel. So sorry. Hope your sweet boy is recovering well.

    • Christy Caplan says:
      July 10, 2023 at 7:26 pm

      Thank you so much!!
      Honestly it’s still almost closed but so much better – I’ve decided this is on my list of top five worst injuries!!!