Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a growth on his paw. He's licking and limping. What is it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 6 years and 1 month old | 55 lbs

Please help. What is this on my dog's paw? He has been licking his paw for a few days now and limping a bit and I just noticed this growth and have not seen anything like it. What should I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2023

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach.

This looks to be a histiocytoma tumor which is a benign tumor commonly found on the limbs and face of dogs. It is a benign tumor that usually will regress on its own within a few weeks/months with no treatment. Of course, I am just guessing. It is impossible to diagnose these things via the internet with just a photo. Here is an information sheet about histiocytomas in dogs for you to read.

( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skin-cutaneous-histiocytoma )

He should not be licking the tumor - if he is, you need to get him a cone collar to wear to stop that behavior. If he is just licking the paw, that is not likely related to the tumor and is a different issue.

As always, if you are worried, you should take him to your vet for an exam.

Best wishes.

5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Published on December 4th, 2017
Poor Archie. That looks really irritated. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to tell what a growth is by just looking at it. Your vet can do a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they collect a few cells with a needle and look at them under the microscope to determine what it is. You don't mention how old Archie is, but if he is young, we do sometimes see a benign growth in young dogs called a histiocytoma which will go away on its own, but may require medication to prevent it from irritating Archie so much. I have attached more information on a histiocytoma below.
https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1676
I would recommend having your vet examine Archie and collect a sample from the growth to determine what it is. In the meantime, I would recommend an elizabethan collar or bootie to keep Archie from licking at it, so he doesn't make it more irritated.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my dog licking a red spot on his paw? What could it be?

Hello, and thank you for using PetCoach. I’m seeing a red, round, raised, hairless mass. This appearance would make me primarily suspicious of either a [histiocytoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/histiocytoma/) or a [mast cell tumor](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/mast-cell-tumors/). The only way to tell for sure what this lump is, is via cytology. Your vet will get a small sample of cells with a needle and examine them under a microscope to determine what the mass is. I definitely recommend having this done as soon as possible. A histiocytoma is a benign mass that tends to spontaneously resolve. A mast cell tumor would be a concern, and should be surgically removed as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is limping and has a weird growth on his paw. What is it?

Hello. It is very difficult to tell exactly what you are trying to show because of all the hair there. It does somewhat resemble a plantar wart, but I am afraid a hands on exam will probably necessary to truly identify what this is. You can try bandaging up the paw in essence creating a sneaker to protect the area, but do try to have this looked at in the near future in case additional treatment is necessary. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog has a hard lump on his paw and won't stop licking it. What's wrong?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is very hard to say what the growth is without seeing and examining Tonny. It does not really look like a healed part of the stopper pad, so it could be a skin growth. If Tonny keeps licking the area you definitely should take him to your local vets for an appointment. For now, please use a head cone or bandage up the leg for 24hrs to stop him from nibbling on the leg as this could introduce skin inflammation and infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my dog licking a red sore on his paw that won't heal?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growing lump on her paw. Does it need antibiotics?

Hello, thank you for suing PetCoach. Most likely this is benign histiocytoma. I have linked an article for you below about this issue. Basically it is a common benign tumor that is typically seen in young dogs and on the extremities. It regresses on its own within a few months. No treatment is needed however, is some cases, giving Benadryl has seemed to make it go away sooner. For a 48 pound dog I would give two of the 25mg Benadryl (diphenhydramine) capsules twice a day until you notice it reducing in size. Yes, dogs take a much higher dose of Benadryl than we do. I would not be overly concerned about this but we sure don't want her licking it so if her licking gets excessive, you will need to put a cone collar on her to stop that. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a red lump on his paw between his toes. Should I worry?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. Common tumors in this region include melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, among others. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What are hard growths on dog paw pads causing limping and swelling?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. These could even be the result of an infection. These lesions are likely the reason why she is limping though other things like a soft tissue injury are also possible. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share