One minute your dog is cruising down the trail. The next, they're limping, holding up a paw, or stopping to lick it.
Torn paw pads are a common trail injury. They can look pretty nasty (and bleed a lot), but knowing what to do can make getting back to the car from the trail a whole lot easier.
What Does a Torn Paw Pad Look Like?
You might see a cut, abrasion, or flap of the tough outer pad partially torn away. But often, the first sign is your dog suddenly limping, licking their paw, or refusing to put weight on it.
What Should I Do Right Away?
Check the paw. Look for visible glass, thorns, rocks, or other debris. Remove anything that's easy to reach, but don't go digging.
Stop the bleeding. Apply firm, steady pressure with clean gauze, a bandana, or cloth for five to ten minutes.
Clean and cover it. Rinse with clean water if you have it, then cover the paw with gauze and vet wrap. A clean sock or bandana can work in a pinch. Keep it secure, but not tight.
This is exactly why we carry a Trail Dog Medical Kit when we're out with our dogs.
How Do We Get Back to the Trailhead?
If you can carry your dog, do. For bigger dogs, protect the paw and take the shortest, easiest route back at a slow pace.
We always like to keep a set of four Wilderdog Booties in our bag for emergencies. They take up almost no space and can be super useful for protecting an injured paw on the hike out.
A Harness with a built-in handle can also help you support your dog over rough terrain.
If you're truly stuck and the situation is becoming unsafe because of distance, weather, terrain, or exhaustion, call 911 and explain the situation. Local search and rescue may be able to help, although assistance for dog-only rescues isn't guaranteed.
Does My Dog Need a Vet?
Deep cuts, exposed tissue, large hanging flaps, significant pain, or bleeding that won't stop after about ten minutes of steady pressure should be evaluated by a vet.
Minor cuts and abrasions can often be managed at home with cleaning, protection, rest, and close monitoring. When in doubt, call your vet.
How Long Will It Take to Heal?
Minor paw pad injuries may heal within a week or two, while deeper injuries can take several weeks.
And don't forget the basics: know your route, carry enough water, pack a dog first-aid kit, and have some idea of how you'd get your dog out if they couldn't walk.
The Bottom Line
Dogs run, scramble, skid, jump, and occasionally make questionable decisions on the trail. Paw injuries happen.
A few first-aid supplies, a set of Booties, and knowing what to do can make a stressful situation a whole lot more manageable. Protect the paw, get back safely, give it time to heal, and you'll hopefully be back out there together soon.
