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My dog's paw pad is sore. What are the best at-home treatments?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | 3 years and 3 months old

My dog has a sore on his paw pad, is there anything I can do at home to treat it?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 17th, 2019

Try soaking it in some warm water with Epsom salt if he will allow it-- this is easiest to do by putting the water and epsom salt in a plastic bag and putting his paw into the plastic bag. If you can do this for about 10 minutes or so, that may help if he has any debris , sticker, grass seed, etc that is embedded in the skin. If he is licking at it, be sure to put an Ecollar (cone of shame) on him. Dry it with a towel then allow to air dry, then you can use this product on it: If it is not improving within a couple of days, take him in to your vet.
Thanks for asking PetCoach!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 5th, 2019
It looks like an inflammation, possibly due to an infection or allergic reaction. you can try treating it at home with Epsom salt bath to the paw 2-3 times a day. make sure you dry the paw very well after each bath. if you do not see any improvement within 4-5 days- take him to your vet to get it treated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 8th, 2022
If it doesn't seem to be bothering him then you could soak his paw in a warm Epsom salt solution for 5 minutes twice a day and monitor. If the lesion persists or becomes worse, then he should be examined and treated by your vet. He may need an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory to treat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 25th, 2017
You could soak the paw in a warm Epsom salt solution and see if that helps, however it may not heal if he keeps licking it. You could use an E-collar and see if that prevents him from licking the paw. If it persists than he should be examined by a vet for treatment. He may need an oral antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory to treat the problem.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's paw pad is cut. What's the best way to treat a paw injury?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This wound appears to be superficial so your initial decontamination with the warm water and soaking it in epsom salt should be enough. I would recommend keeping a close eye on this and making sure the foot does not become swollen and that there is no pus coming from the wound. You can soak the foot in epsom salt solution twice daily until this is healed. If Duke is going to be going outside in the dirt I would recommend putting a booty over his foot or a sock to prevent dirt from getting inside the wound. If there are any changes that indicate infection, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Duke so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! 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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My dog has a small sore on his paw. What can I do to treat it at home?

Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily for 5 days. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). If the wound does not heal in 5 days a check up would be required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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My dog's paw is red and he's licking it. What home remedies help?

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