Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    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
    Petco Pay LogoBecome 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 torn paw pads. Can I use Epsom salt or what else helps?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Siberian Husky | Male | neutered | 7 years and 2 months old | 60 lbs

Hello! My huskies escaped in a storm the other night, and it took me until the morning to find them. I think that they seeked out shelter in the woods and each came back with a limp. Upon further inspection, their paw pads are torn and have flaps of skin hanging. I have bandaged their paws with neosporin to keep them from licking their paws. Is their anything more I can do/would an epsom salt soak help? I'm taking them to the vet tomorrow so this is temporary relief. Thanks!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Rebeccah Wood

Answered By Rebeccah Wood

Licensed Veterinary Technician, Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist

Published on July 24th, 2017

Hello there! I'm so glad your pups are home safe. It sounds like you are doing right by them until their vet visit with the bandaging and Neosporin (be sure that no one eats the bandages - you certainly don't want any secondary GI problems!). The limping is probably from the paw damage, but your vet will give them a thorough exam to make sure that they don't have any other injuries.

I recommend avoiding the Epsom salt soak for any open wounds as it may be irritating. Epsom salts are good for painful joints and the like, but we don't want to put salt into any cuts. If you think anything might be stuck in their paw pads, a soak in lukewarm water with a mild soap solution may be helpful. Just be sure to rinse and dry their paws very well afterwards to avoid any further moisture build-up in between the toes, which may harbor bacteria.

I hope they both feel better soon!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on March 12th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While you could do that, I think it would be more beneficial for Onyx to proceed with epsom salt baths. You basically dilute epsom salt in warm water and soak his foot for 10-15 minutes twice daily for 2-3 days. This will help speed up the healing process. It is important to dry his paw up very well afterwards. If not improving or worsening within the next few days, have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Otherwise, he is likely going to do well. Good luck and have a wonderful day!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on May 13th, 2018

    Yikes. It looks like Scout's pads are very painful. No, it is not normal for the paw pad to peel off like that. I would supsect that he injured them in some way (running, swimming, burned, etc). Paw pad injuries take a long time to heal and the area needs to stay protected. I would look at getting a pair of booties that he tolerates well. I like Ruffwear ( https://ruffwear.com/collections/boots ). They are expensive, but a great company. What I will typically recommend to people who have dogs that have injured their paw pads is to soak the feet in dilute Epsom Salt (using the dilution on the packaging) for 5 minutes, then keep the feet in booties. If the paw pads develop any odor, discharge or redness, then your veterinarian should examine them.
    Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

    Vote Icon

    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My dog has infected paws. Can Epsom salt baths provide relief?
Yes, you can do an epsom salt bath for his feet for 5-10 minutes 1-2 times a day and then rinse and VERY gently pat dry. Do not give him any human pain medications or aspirin at home because they are actually toxic to dogs. If Charlie is so uncomfortable that he can sleep or eat, I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic before Monday. I hope he's feeling better soon!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog has a paw bubble. How to use Epsom salt and stop licking?
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks as though something may have punctured the skin and caused an infection. This looks like it could be an abscess / isolated infection. For the epsom salt soak, I generally recommend ~1/2 cup of epsom salt added to 1 gallon of warm water. It is ok if he licks the foot after the soak as the epsom salt is not toxic. I would recommend using a plastic cone to prevent him from licking at the area. If he continues to lick the area, the wound will likely not resolve. If this does not resolve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Rocky 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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Dog paw peeling from pavement, limping. Can I use Neosporin?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry about Chaparra's paws! It is a common injury in the summer. Soaking the feet in Epsom salts twice daily and bandaging with neosporin should work. If you can't keep bandages on then just keep him on soft surfaces, like the grass. If he is painful then take him to your Vet monday for pain medications. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog has a paw pimple. Can I use Epsom salt and Neosporin on it?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the pictures! The thing on his foot looks like a mass that is bleeding. The most common growths that look like this are sebaceous adenomas or skin tags. You can soak the food in Epsom salts and apply a triple antibiotic ointment but the mass likely needs to be removed. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog's paw pad is sore. What are the best at-home treatments?
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!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog is limping with white spots on her paw pad, and it's worsening.
Hello, and thank you for your question. It looks like she may have a bacterial infection between her foot pads. I'd suggest taking her to the vet within the next 24 hours. They can prescribe antibiotics if it is an infection, and also look for an underlying cause, such as a foreign body that is sticking into her skin, or a soft tissue injury that is causing her to lick her foot due to pain. In the meantime, continuing with the epsom salts may hep to relieve inflammation, and tramadol can also help with pain. If she has been licking, an e-collar should be worn to prevent further damage. I hope this helps, and that Sophie is feeling better soon!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Paw Protection & Ice MeltDog Bandages & Wound CareDog Health & WellnessDog First Aid & RecoveryDog Paw & Nail CareDog Pain Medicine & ReliefElectrolytes for DogsDog Braces & SplintsDog Pain Relief & Arthritis MedsDog Medicine and PrescriptionsElectrolytes for CatsPrescription Shampoo for DogsDog Nail Clippers & ScissorsCat First AidDog Nail CapsDog First Aid Kits & ToolsDog Vitamins & SupplementsCat Styptic PowderDog Allergy Medicine & Itch ReliefDog Ear & Eye Care
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button