Paws do an enormous amount of work and get very little attention until something goes wrong. The short answer to good paw care is this: check them regularly, keep the fur between the pads tidy, protect the pads from grit, salt and hot pavements, and know the signs that mean a trip to the vet. Do that, and most paw problems are caught early or avoided altogether.
As groomers we handle a lot of feet, and paws are one of the places small problems hide. A dog's paw is a clever bit of design, tough pads for grip and cushioning, claws for traction, and delicate skin in between that is easily irritated. Here is how to keep them in good shape through every season.
Give paws a regular once-over
Make paw checks part of your routine, ideally after muddy or adventurous walks. Gently look at and feel each foot for:
- The pads: cracks, cuts, blisters, or a dry, rough surface
- Between the toes: redness, swelling, matted fur, or anything stuck
- The claws: length, splits, and whether the dew claws are catching
- Any limping, licking or chewing that points you to a sore spot
Handling your dog's feet often and calmly from a young age pays off hugely. It makes nail trims easier, and it means an injury or a lump gets noticed early rather than by accident.
Cracked and dry pads
Pads can go dry and cracked from cold weather, hot surfaces, rough ground or simply age. Mild dryness is common and usually manageable at home:
- A dog-specific paw balm or paw wax can soothe and protect dry pads; human hand creams are not suitable
- Keep walks off very hot or very rough surfaces while pads recover
- Rinse and dry paws after walks on salted or gritted paths
Deep cracks that bleed, look sore, or are clearly bothering your dog need a vet, as they can get infected. Sudden severe cracking across several pads is also worth a check, as it can occasionally point to an underlying health issue.
Grit, salt and winter walks
Winter is hard on paws. Road grit and de-icing salt are abrasive and can irritate or even burn the skin, and dogs then lick it off, which is not good for them either. Through the colder months:
- Rinse or wipe paws with warm water after every winter walk
- Consider a paw balm before you head out as a barrier
- Watch for limping on gritted paths, and pick a grass route where you can
- Some dogs tolerate dog boots, which sidestep the problem entirely
In summer, the danger flips to hot pavement. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds, it is too hot for paws, so walk in the cool of the morning or evening instead.
Grass seeds: a summer hazard
One of the most important things to know about paws in the warmer months is grass seeds. These small, arrow-shaped seeds work their way into the fur between the toes, then burrow into the skin, causing painful swellings and infections that often need veterinary treatment.
After summer walks through long or seeding grass, check between the toes and pads carefully. Signs of a grass seed include sudden limping, a swollen or weeping lump between the toes, and frantic licking of one foot. If you suspect one, see your vet, as they usually need to be removed properly. The PDSA has a clear guide to grass seeds that is well worth a read.
Groomer's tip: Keeping the fur between the pads neatly trimmed is one of the best things you can do for paw health. Long, matted paw fur traps grit, mud, ice balls and grass seeds, holds moisture that leads to soreness, and makes it far harder to spot a problem early. We trim it as part of a groom, and it makes your at-home checks much easier too.
Trimming paw fur and nails
Tidy feet are healthy feet. Two jobs make the biggest difference:
- Fur between and around the pads: trimmed level with the pads so nothing mats or traps debris, and so the dog gets proper grip on smooth floors
- Nails: kept short enough that they do not click loudly on hard floors or curl round; overgrown nails change how a dog stands and can cause real discomfort
Nail trimming makes a lot of owners nervous because of the quick, the sensitive blood vessel inside the nail. If you are unsure, a groomer or vet can do it quickly and safely, and show you how. It is one of the most common single services we are asked for.
When to see the vet
Book a vet visit if you notice:
- Bleeding, deep cracks, cuts or blisters on the pads
- Persistent licking or chewing of one foot
- Swelling, redness or a weeping lump between the toes, especially in summer
- Limping that does not quickly settle
- A broken or badly split nail, or a nail torn at the base
Feet are easy to overlook, but they are worth the attention. A couple of minutes after each walk keeps small niggles from becoming painful problems. For more general canine health guidance, the RSPCA and the PDSA Pet Health Hub both have reliable advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I treat my dog's cracked paw pads?
For mild dryness, a dog-specific paw balm and avoiding hot or rough surfaces usually helps. Rinse off salt and grit after walks. Deep, bleeding or sore cracks, or cracking across several pads at once, should be seen by your vet, as they can become infected.
Should I trim the fur between my dog's paw pads?
Yes, keeping it neat is good practice. Long paw fur traps mud, grit, ice and grass seeds, holds damp that leads to soreness, and hides problems. If you are not confident, a groomer can trim it safely as part of a groom.
Are grass seeds really dangerous for dogs?
They can be. Grass seeds burrow into the skin between the toes and cause painful swellings and infections that often need veterinary removal. Check paws after summer walks and see your vet if you find sudden limping, a swollen lump or frantic licking of one foot.
How do I protect my dog's paws in winter?
Rinse or wipe paws after walks to remove salt and grit, use a paw balm as a barrier, choose grass routes over heavily gritted paths, and consider dog boots for dogs who tolerate them. In summer, avoid hot pavements and walk in the cool of the day.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Paw fur tidying and nail trimming are part of every groom, and we are happy to show you what to watch for at home. Book a one-to-one groom.