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My dog's paw pad is peeling after playing outside. Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I was just playing fetch with my dog outside on a dirt area. It looks like the middle part of his paw pad started peeling off. It doesn’t seem to bother him much, if at all.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 18th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about your dog. Thank you also for providing the pictures, they are very helpful. That has really peeled back, and likely will need to be removed. I would not try to remove it yourself, it could hurt him and he may bite in pain. I'd take him into a vet now to get this part of his pad removed, to get pain medication, and to get antibiotics. I hope this helps!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 24th, 2019
The picture is a little fuzzy so its hard to tell for sure, but I suspect this is normal. Older cells and the outer layer of pad will exfoliate off with time as new pad tissue is created. No need to worry as long as he's comfortable, isn't licking at these areas excessively, isn't limping, and there's no cracks with any bleeding or oozing.

thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 16th, 2018
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Just as our skin sloughs off all the time, the pads will as well. As long as Jack isn't bothered by it, then I would do nothing, as this looks normal.

If he is licking/chewing then I recommend a visit to the vet to get an E-collar, and pain medications. This however doesn't sound like it's required based on the information you provided.

Best of luck with Jack!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 6th, 2019
As long as it’s.m not bothering her at all, there’s no need for concern. You can use a product such as this if you’d like:
Thanks for asking PetCoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why is my dog's paw pad peeling, licking, and walking slowly?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Nugget may have blistered his feet from running outside or from chewing his feet from allergies. You have a couple of options. The first would be to take him to the veterinarian to be examined and to have the paw pad that is falling off trimmed away from the foot so it does not catch on anything in the environment. The second option would be to soak his feet in epsom salt soaks twice daily 10 minutes at a time and wait for the pad tissue to fall off on its own. I would also have him wear protective booties and applying a wound cream such as Sentry Wound ointment (can be found at Petco) while the feet are healing. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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