What it is
The skin of the paws works hard: it carries the dog's weight, meets every surface and stays warm and damp between the toes. When something sets off inflammation there, the skin swells and itches or hurts, and constant licking keeps it wet, which lets bacteria and yeasts take hold. Hair follicles can become blocked and burst under the skin, forming painful lumps.
Because it is a sign rather than a single disease, it can appear at any age. It can affect one paw or all four, and it can flare up and settle again along with whatever is causing it.
For the dog, sore paws can mean shorter walks, reluctance on rough or hot ground and disturbed sleep from licking. Checking between the toes after walks helps you spot redness or a trapped grass seed early.
Signs you may notice
- Licks or chews its paws
- Limps or walks gingerly
- Red, swollen skin between toes
- Lumps or pus spots on paws
- Reddish-brown fur between toes
- Smelly paws
The dog may keep licking or chewing its paws or limp, and the skin between the toes looks red and swollen, sometimes with lumps or small pus-filled spots. The fur between the toes can turn reddish-brown from licking, and the paws may smell unpleasant.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your dog keeps licking a paw for more than a few days, limps, or has swelling, lumps or discharge between the toes. A sudden, painful swelling on one paw may hide a trapped grass seed and is worth having checked soon.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.